Flying Home

I don't know how but we fit all of our things plus Dustin and a few of his bags in the Ford Escape that we had rented. We hunkered down for the drive to Seattle with a stop at Ensign Ranch to look for the missing camera. No such luck.

Dustin's help was invaluable. He was the great entertainer in the backseat then the luggage carrier, stroller pusher, and child helper at the airport. Things would have been rough without him so I'm glad he fit! He headed back to BYU and we were off to Boston.

I got a call from our ride Tiffany as we got off of our plane in Manchester, New Hampshire. She had accidentally gone to the Providence, Rhode Island airport which is two hours away from Manchester. I'd sent her the itinerary but neglected to point out which of the three Boston area airports we were at then ignored the feeling I had to call and clarify. Whoops. Insert lesson about ignoring promptings here.

Melanie came to our rescue instead since she was only an hour away in Boston. We sure felt loved since two different people came to get us. It was very late when we got in, around 1 am. Melanie had collected some of our mail and turned on the A/C the day before. Both Tiffany and Melanie had left groceries. What a lovely welcome. The only bad part was I'd scheduled doctor appointments for the boys early the next morning. Bad planning on my part especially since they slept in.

Ensign Ranch

We made up for our missed horseback riding trip today. It was fun but my horse kept eating along the trail and it was pretty hard to pull his head up. Megan's was even worse!

Riding out! Notice the Cammack reunion t-shirts. We didn't get a family picture with ours on because we lost our camera today.

Zach riding a horse

David almost missed this too! I didn't know they would let a one year old ride and felt pretty bad for leaving him back at the cabin. Brad and I went back for the kids and for Grandma Packer and Grandma Noelene. Because of a mis-communication with the men (mostly we told them there weren't enough seats for everyone the way they wanted to carpool over to the ranch) I had to stay back with William. He needed a nap and I needed to verify our flight reservation so it worked out. I was just really disappointed that I didn't get to go with David on the big slide again.

He went back with Brad and he must have had fun with everyone else!

Gina and Megan sliding

Brad came back to the cabin to get me so we could make up for David's missed horse ride. He seemed to like it ok but not as much as the first time earlier this trip. I think he was past his nap time and worn out. I was so disappointed that we couldn't find the camera.

Amy prepared a little craft for the kids. Brad made some cute frames for the boys. David mostly dumped the sticky crafting letters all over the floor. I think Nadia picked most of them up.

Great Grandma Packer with William
He was named with her late husband William Max Packer in mind.

Another shot of Will

We did taco soup for dinner. Don't forget the lime tortilla chips! It is one of my most favorite easy recipes. I felt a little disorganized since everyone chipped in to help prepare but it was faster that way. I was a little sad that Kent and Noelene, Clay and Jorden, and Dustin didn't get a taste of the double batch we prepared. They went to Leavenworth for the afternoon.

This is how we spent many of our evenings...relaxing in the hot tub.

After these guys went to bed anyway.

Brad and I played a short game of pool and tried to get our things in order for the big trip home tomorrow. I think we were a little sad to leave everyone early but very excited to start the trip back. You start to miss your own house after ten weeks away. Thank you all for such a fun reunion. We missed Devin and Katrina but were glad they got a honeymoon. I can honestly say I'd love to do something like this again.

A Day of Rest

Church was first thing and getting ready as all of you parents know is no small task. We attended the local branch and pretty well filled it to capacity. David was successful in spreading Cheerios around the entire chapel as he roamed from one family member to another. We came home and this is what we did...

Olivia was so fascinated by William. She has been asking her Mom for a baby sister.

Don't be frightened just bendaroos! We found David a top this bunk bed more than once. He wanted in on the fun that the big boys were having up there.

William with Amy
They saw a lot of each other this summer but this is the first photo to prove it!

Mike playing pool

along with Megan

Silly Papa Kent sleeping

Dustin watching TV and being a good example.

Jared

Clay and Jorden

Grandma P., Nate, Grandma Noelene, and Olivia

Brad and Spenser playing a game

It may look like we didn't do much but Grandpa Kent gave a little fireside and we had a lovely dinner of pulled pork sandwiches courtesy of Nadia and Spenser. After that there were still individual family photos to be taken (thanks Amy!) and our favorite--chocolate fountain. We are lucky that Thomas asked about having it and Spense and Nadia didn't mind bringing it along.

Preparing chocolate and cutting fruit

Nadia and Brad--the birthday twins
Nadia didn't have a problem telling Brad to get to work!

The bounteous and wonderful fountain. Aren't we glad there was a very large second kitchen?!
Clockwise from left: Nate, Zach, Gina, Olivia, Spenser, Megan, Jared, and Thomas.

Zach beings to eat chocolate

This is something else to add to the list of things David missed during the trip. I am a little bit of a bed time nazi I suppose. He would have loved it I'm sure. But I think Zach made enough mess for two one year olds.

Family Reunion Time

We woke up the next morning and got our things together (again!) and headed out for the Cammack family reunion. We enjoyed the stay with Spenser and Nadia and our kids did too. One advantage to dragging two months of stuff around with us was that much of what we needed was already packed and we didn't really have anything else that we could bring (crock pot, kids toys, etc...) We did a few errands and were on our way.

This is what awaited us...

A lovely cabin near Rosalynd, Washington and the church owned Ensign Ranch. We felt a little guilty for arriving first since we hadn't done anything to really plan or finance the accommodations, but, man was it nice. We had a look at both kitchens, living rooms, the pool table and the jacuzzi and decided it was an amazing place for 21 of us to spend an extended weekend.

David found what he liked best in the garage.

The others started to arrive at the cabin. Most of us went out to Ensign Ranch for the water slide and horse back riding. Grandma Noelene and Grandma Packer were kind enough to keep William back at the cabin. Clay and Jorden and Spenser went horseback riding and the rest of us went down the slide. Getting our tubes inflated was a bit of a production but it proved to be worth the wait. I was surprised by how much fun I had and how David seemed to like it even though it was a bit cold. Dustin, Megan, Brad, and I took David down several times. Megan liked linking arms with me because I had a little more, uh, forward momentum that she did and could ride pretty far.

It began to rain and we hurried to get our cameras and other things into Amy and Mike's van. (No photos of the slide.) We kept sliding in the rain until it was time to change for horseback riding. Clay and Jorden took David and several of us watched almost the entire safety video only to find that we were rained out. Better luck Monday!

Brad, David, and William back at the cabin

It was a pretty relaxed evening. Amy's family did sticky chicken for dinner and many of the adults enjoyed chatting in the hot tub after all the kids were in bed.

Devin and Katrina: The Reception

The next stop was a beautiful reception center tucked away in a neighborhood that was on a steep hill. It was just perfect!

The groom steals a kiss from the bride

The centerpieces were my most favorite part. But the food was perhaps the best I've ever tasted at a wedding. I'm glad I only had one plate but it was tempting to have seconds!

Grandma Noelene waiting for things to get started.

My lovely niece Megan

David looks like he's being a gentleman

But I don't think that lasted for very long! Thankfully Gina and Megan were a big help with our little guys.

Leaning in for a hug with his newest auntie!

William stealing a sweet moment with Uncle Dusty.

Megan just loves to hold babies!

For our present Brad and I wanted to leave a few things in Devin and Katrina's hotel. Jorden went with me but I'm afraid we took way too long. Even with a GPS I kept getting lost (the hotel and grocery store weren't too far) maybe I should not talk and drive at the same time! Jorden and I set a few things up and rushed back to the reception.

We greeted a slightly worried Devin and a very worn out Brad. Chasing two little guys around while your wife is gone for a long time isn't terribly fun. The bride and groom left (in a cloud of happiness and bubbles of course) and we packed up two very tired kids. I was sad that I didn't get to enjoy more of the reception and that I left my family alone a little too long! But it was a very beautiful day. Congrats again to the bride and groom.

Devin and Katrina: The Luncheon

The luncheon wasn't far from the Seattle Temple (really in Bellevue) thanks to some smart planning on Grandma and Grandpa's part. They had hotel rooms at the Embassy Suites where the luncheon was to take place. That was a good thing since so many kids and adults needed a place to land.

Devin and Katrina
This is so them! Forget the fancy formal photos...
It was a lovely luncheon. I thought it was sweet when Kent said that because of Katrina Devin has become very a very focused man.

Amy and Mike
She did sit down to eat in between photographs. We'll miss them, Mike is amazing with the boys. Amy is good company and their kids are too much fun.

Aunt Marylin talking with Grandma Packer

Brad and I

Where is David? He seemed to miss a long string of events starting with today. He was asleep in the hotel room. We went up to check on him every 15 minutes. He does better when he gets a nap. And so do we.

Clay and Jorden

Miss Olivia--she did really well sitting there and trying to eat a lot of things that she didn't like. I was so impressed with her. It was fun to sit and chat.

Brad and our oldest niece Gina. She is just too grown up.

Clay (Clayton William) and William--both names honoring Grandpa Packer

Some of the cousins went swimming in between the luncheon and the reception. Poor David didn't get to because I didn't bring his suit. Brad, David, and William stayed at the hotel and snoozed, played, and ate while I took advantage of the time and went shopping for a few things. Clay and Jorden came with me to Fred Meyer. I enjoyed talking with them. We missed their wedding so it was especially nice to get to know Jorden.

Devin and Katrina: The Wedding

Plainly speaking I was really pleased when Devin's wedding date changed the family reunion from Idaho to Washington. (I'm sorry but I was!) We got the added bonus of a Pacific Northwest vacation AND a new sister-in-law.

Our drive to the temple was thankfully uneventful. We got there early even though we'd stayed up pretty late the night before. David was fine with being left and there were plenty of cousins for him to play with while we were in the sealing. It was nice to spend a few quiet minutes inside and remember the promises Brad and I made on our wedding day.

Devin and Katrina Cammack

William in his stroller

David and Brad

David and Zach hanging out. They are six weeks apart.
Zach wanted to ride along. He has a stroller that is very similar.

Nate, Jared, and Thomas...there was a lot of horsing around while they were waiting for Devin and Katrina and during the pictures. What cute cousins!

Running. Nate and Brad are following trying to keep him in line. I think David was doing this during the entire post sealing photo session.

Devin looking oh so happy to be married!

Uncle Clay holding William

Devin calling Dustin. I think he was waiting for his tux vest? Spenser looks thrilled!

Brad and I waiting for Devin and Katrina to come out of the temple.

Brad always seems to be eating the kids snacks!

Grandpa Kent trying to keep David from running too far away...notice a theme here?

The younger kids. William (being held by her cousin Megan in the green) is unhappy and David is on Katrina's family side!

This was during the photos of the kids.

Aunt Jorden trying to get him to cooperate. Somehow I don't think it worked out.

Cammack family women. We are growing but still outnumbered.
Perhaps the next baby born will be a girl?! We can only hope.

Great-Grandma Packer. Brad's Mom's mom. One of the greatest people we know.

Katrina--one beautiful bride!

The Cammack Men...looking at something. We don't know what.

Devin and Noelene
I thought this one was really sweet.

I have a lot more respect for the people that brought small children to our wedding. I was so in love and star-struck I didn't really realize what an effort it must have been. Getting the kids there and keeping them clean and happy during the endless photos was most certainly a task! I felt like I was scrambling to keep things under control. Luckily it was lovely weather and there were lots of people to help.

I remember when Devin first got engaged and set an August wedding date. At the time we couldn't be there. We were depressed about it for an entire Sunday afternoon; we kept looking at flights and running different scenarios. I am grateful that events aligned and that we were able to attend. Thanks to Spense and Nadia for the room and board and Amy (amyleephotography.com) for many of the beautiful photos!