Grandma Belva's Surprise Party!

Darren's family threw a huge surprise party for his Grandma's 78th birthday. They thought that to throw a surprise party for an 80th birthday would be too obvious so they decided on 78 instead. It was a whole weekend long extravaganza and lots of family came into town. It was a lot of fun and I got to meet more members of Darren's family. On Friday we had the initial surprise and we hung out and played games and ate dinner. We also watched a video of Grandma Belva's life through the years with all of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The next day we had a family softball game and then we went back to Aunt Lisa's house for lunch and to hang out the rest of the day. Darren's cousin Jason had a slack line so we all tried slacklining and it was super hard! Jason also gave grandma clippers for her birthday present so she could cut his long hair because she hates it. The rest of the day we hung out, ate dinner, played lots of games and ended the night watching a movie outside with the projector. It was a very busy fun-filled weekend with lots of excitement! Here are some pictures...

Blackberry Picking

We have been very busy playing these last few days in Oregon. On Friday before we went to Darren's grandma's big surprise party we took Kylee blackberry picking. Blackberries grow like weeds here in Oregon, in fact they are weeds. We walked down to the end of his street and then up to an elementary school and just picked blackberries off of the random bushes. We got a lot of blackberries and Kylee really liked them! I would just pick off one of the little balls and she would roll it around on her tongue and laugh and laugh. It was really cute how much she liked them. I thought that her face would be stained but she drools too much so the stain just washed away. Anyway, she is really cute and it was fun picking and eating blackberries with her and Darren. 

Golf Tournament

Every year Darren's uncle hosts a golf tournament through his business. Darren got to play in it this year because we were here in Oregon. His team got 3rd place! Woot woot!

 I only got to see him golf for a little bit, but after everyone finished golfing there was a big barbecue lunch and of course there was lots of playing with the baby.

Darren and I got a new camera from his parents for part of his graduation present and my birthday present. So far I love it, and good thing Kylee is around so I can have a photography subject to practice on. 

Kylee

I love being in Oregon and getting to spend time with Darren's family, especially my sweet niece Kylee! She is such a precious little baby. She is always happy and always smiling and laughing. It is so much fun to be around her! I call her Smiley Kylee because she never stops smiling...I guess until you try and take a picture of her.

 Yesterday we went for a swim together. She really likes to swim, but she got a little bit cold so she didn't last very long.

 After Kylee bailed on swimming Jared and Darren had a contest to see who could do the most underwater flips in a row. Jared won. I don't know what he is doing in this picture...showing off his muscles? Or celebrating the win?

Road Trip

Alan, Darren's brother, took these pictures in the car when we were driving to Oregon. I just found them on my camera and thought they were pretty funny. This family is a hoot!

Brynn's Open House

The day after Darren's graduation Brynn and her new husband Trevor had an open house in Pocatello. Darren and I got to stop by on our way to Portland. I am so excited that I got to go to her open house because I wasn't able to go to her wedding and it made me so sad! Brynn was a beautiful bride, and there was plenty of yummy food! Brynn is one of my best friends and I miss seeing her so it was great to spend a few minutes with her.