In Bend, we spent time with Heather's mom Cinda (Nana), Cinda's husband Ron (Grandpa Ron), and Heather's sister Beth and her family. This was what we called "Nana Camp."
Day 1; Sun Mountain Fun Center
Mini-Golfing with Uncle Thomas
Hitting up the Arcades (not sure of Stanley's Skee-Ball form)
Enjoying the rides
Stuart really really really wanted to do the bumper cars, but in the end the answer was no.
But the rest of us enjoyed them.
Go-karts were also a hit. Gavin's cheering section.
Disc Golfing with Thomas and Gavin.
18th tee was in a sweet setting
Making breakfast with Nana
Holly enjoyed spending time with Bentli
Stanley and Kade had a blast
Easter baskets in July
Even the big kids enjoyed it
The weather was very hot
Beth's beautiful family
Exploring Boyd cave with Grandpa Ron
Amazing temperature difference once you were inside
Amazing Cave
Sunrise hike to Pilot Butte with Stanley and Brandon Axmaker
Fun times with Nana and Grandpa Ron
Back in Gresham, we were able to have a Willamette Running Reunion thanks to Stephanie Welsh. 12 adults and 10 kids (with Stanley at the oldest at 7). Great fun.
Then we headed into our final good-byes to end our time in Oregon.
Open house with some of our prayer team
Holly playing dress-up with her friend Grace
One last American Burger before leaving Oregon
Uncle Seth and Aunt Beka even made it out for one more time together.
Before we knew it we were packed, at the airport and getting on a plane to Germany.
At the airport with six checked bags, five carry ons, a bag of food, laptop and stroller.
That is over 350 pounds of luggage! (160 kg)
One last picture with Grandma Sue
Auntie Joyce even made it to the airport to see us off
Good-byes can also be sad
We went through security and suddenly we are on our own again. Although we forgot to collect our liquid items so Heather had to go back to security to get them.
Getting situated in the plane.
Heather trying to make a little fort for Stuart to hopefully help him sleep better.
Holly made some friends on the flight. It was so cute watching the 4, 5, and 6 year old girls play together.
Unfortunately the plane ride did not go as smoothly as we would have liked. Stuart slept for an hour in the first 2 hours of the flight, and then did not want to sleep after that. Stanley did not want to sleep either and started to get upset because he wasn't comfortable and he refused to lie down to try to sleep. Holly slept fitfully so that Heather wasn't truly able to sleep. Fortunately Stanley and Holly eventually did fall asleep for the most of the second half of the 10 hour flight, but Stuart only slept for the last 30 minutes. Which means that Daddy did not sleep at all. I walked Stuart up and down the aisle trying to get him sleep and jealously looking at all the other sleeping children on the plane.
Finally we were in Germany. We were able to get off the plane, get our bags and get to the train station in record time. In the past it had taken us a good hour and a half or more, but this time we made it in less than an hour, which meant we caught an earlier train. This allowed us to return to Weimar at 5 pm instead of 7 pm. Which was really good, because that allowed a normal dinner (turkey-ham, risotto, and veggies) and everyone was in bed by 7:30 pm. (In bed but definitely not asleep.)
On the train at last
Stanley being backwards man
Tired dad, walking Zombie
All of our luggage made it!
Where did those four weeks go? They were so much fun, and we are so thankful for the many family members and friends we have in Oregon and the United States. We are also so thankful for where God has us in Weimar, Germany. We are looking forward to the new adventures ahead of us and to see what opportunities God will give us.
Now that we're back we've been trying to make the most of the last week of summer, and getting over jet-lag (it took us a good 4 or 5 nights)
Daddy date with Holly and Stuart
Going to the park
Playing in the sand
Bike through the park
Even Stuart got in on the action
Beautiful (but hot) days
Enjoying Cinderella
Climbing at "Block'n'Roll" bouldering hall
Thank you for taking the time to read. To see the rest of our pictures from our summer (including the ones above) click here for our web album. (warning: there are over 231 pictures)
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