Our 6th Anniversary

Going somewhere special for our anniversary is something that we always make sure we do. This year, since I'm still nursing Aubrie, we did something close to Gammy and Poppop so the kiddos could stay with them but still be close by. We rented a cabin at the Siltcoos Station near Florence. It was very quiet and rustic. Perfect for us. We went out for a nice dinner in Florence first. Then we walked along Bay Street and got some frozen yogurt. By the time we made it out to Siltcoos Station it was pretty dark. We felt our way around, found our cabin, and let ourselves in. There is a nice little pier and dock overlooking Siltcoos Lake. We spent some time at the lake that evening and then again the next morning with our coffee and muffins. The plan was that we would have the whole day to ourselves and my parents would bring the kids out at dinner time and then stay the next night with us. At about 11:00 AM my mom and sister drive up to the cabin with the kids. Grant was sick. :( We weren't sure if he was just wanting Mommy or if he really was sick. All he wanted to do when he got to the cabin though was lay down and sleep. He slept most of the day, so we were able to just hang out and talk. It was actually very nice even with our little boy interrupting our alone time.
Later that evening, Gammy, Auntie Kate, Aubrie, and the Ransoms came out for dinner and a bonfire. We all (except the Ransoms) stayed in the cabin that night. Grant still wasn't feeling well (we figured out later that he had Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease) so we just laid low and relaxed. Paul and I even got to get in a kayak ride while the kids were napping.

Fishin' Buddies

Some of Grant's favorite "big boys" are his cousins Tyler and Brian. They live in the Salem area, and we don't get to see them very often. I think the first memory of them that stuck with Grant was the Christmas he was 1 1/2. They let him play their DS (which is a handheld video game I found out) and he has loved them ever since.  He calls them "Tyler and Brylan", and he can't usually tell them apart. It's just "Tyler and Brylan" whenever he talks about them...that or "the big boys". He loves to wrestle around with them, and they are really good at going easy on him but making it seem like they are really trying to fight him.
This summer they came down for a week. Paul likes to take them fishing whenever he has a chance. They had never caught a fish before in all their fishing adventures. Since Grant has been getting into fishing lately too, they all went out together on Lake of the Woods. They had some great success! They caught 23 fish between the three of them! Paul said it was quite the fishing trip for him..."I'm hungry", "I need bait", "I'm thirsty", "Can you cast this for me?"...not really the fishing trip that Paul is used to, but maybe the new norm for fishing with kids.
Aubrie and I were at the lake too with Grandma and Auntie Heather. We spent our time on the shore, soaking up the sun.

Tiller Time

It has been a year since the Caswell family all got together in Tiller. Grandma and Grandpa Caswell moved to Roseburg this year, and thus our family parties haven't happened. Everyone decided that it was high time we all met up again. We had a wonderful day in Tiller playing in the river, hanging out at the house, and eating some yummy food! It was the first time many of them got to see Aubrie.

Flo-Town...Holla!

Flo-Town...Holla! That's what Grant says as we drive into Florence on a Friday afternoon. I'm pretty sure he didn't come up with it on his own...I think I heard Daddy say it first...but it is cute nonetheless to hear him say it right as we come into town.

We had yet another great trip to Florence. This time Uncle Jordan and Aunt Iggy were there with Henry and Hosanna. Aubrie and Hosanna got to meet for the first time. There is much optimistic feeling that they will be great friends!

 

Grant and Henry even got along better than they ever have on this trip! As long as there are enough toys to go around, everything is great!

We actually did something different on this trip! Amazing...I know. We really stepped out and went camping for a few nights. Call us crazy, with two toddlers and two infants, but it was something we really wanted to do. We went to Loon Lake, which is the campground my family went to at least once a summer when I was growing up. It is still one of my favorite places to camp!

Of course we still had some quality Florence time.

 

I love it that our family loves to be together! Everyone likes to do everything together, which I know at times may seem kind of weird to people, but we really enjoy spending time together. Our times together are full of hanging out, talking, and having fun! I am beyond blessed through my family!