One of the reasons that were grateful to move back to Oregon when we did was because we got to celebrate the twins' birthday with family: in fact, they had three different events (all with family!) to celebrate turning 11!
Birthday celebration #1 was with their cousins from Estacada. We had a casual party at Jeremiah and Alicia's house, did a photo scavenger hunt, and roasted s'mores. It was a perfect evening to be outside and the view from their house is amazing!
Sam and Judah were the birthday boys on this scavenger hunt team
And Seth and Titus were the birthday boys on this team
"Everyone on your team hanging from the monkey bars"
"Fit your team into a small space"
"Everyone on your team onto the airplane teeter-totter"
Wheel barrel race (Josh and Seth)
"Make a crown using things in the environment" (Sam and Judah)
Titus' crown
Seth's crown
Both teams combined
Silly picture
Roasting hotdogs over the fire
Then some more games (spike ball)
Then opening presents with a whole slew of kids
Finally, s'mores with candles for the birthday boys
Close up
We're so grateful for these people loving up on our kids
That view!
The second birthday party was with our immediate Morris family the celebrate Sam and Seth and Hailey. The twins requested donuts for their dessert and then we just got Thai take out for our meal. We spent the afternoon playing outdoor games together and thoroughly enjoying one another's company.
The birthday kiddos
Notice how the boys had to try 4 different kinds of Voodoo donuts.
The boys received "survival kits" from Uncle Nate and he's showing them how to use their new flint and steel
I had to snap this picture of the boys enjoying toys with the girls
Seth and Sam's final celebration was on their actual birthday and we had the Platos out for dinner and dessert. I love that their cousins are their favorites; it makes me so happy. I made sweet and sour chicken for dinner and they wanted ice cream cake for dessert. (Three desserts for their birthday! Lucky boys!)
Interesting location to eat dinner
(Sam, Seth) They look very identical with their short hair!
Eleven!
A picture with our birthday boys...they're going to be taller than me before we know it.
After all those festivities, my parents came to visit for a few days (oops: no pictures!) and then it was my turn to celebrate 37 with my family. I was soooo happy to be in the Pacific Northwest for my birthday. Ben made me breakfast of a poached egg on avocado toast, we went for a five mile hike at Silver Creek Falls, and then my sister made me dinner. It was a wonderful day!
The first of 7 waterfalls we'd see on our hike.
Ben and I hiked here when we were dating
Silver Creek Falls
The trail goes right behind the falls
The water just thunders overhead. It's spectacular.
From the other side
I love these Maidenhair ferns so much
On to the next falls
You get to go behind this one too, but much closer to the water. 
It's awe inspiring
I couldn't stop marveling at all the different leaf shapes and shades of green. I do really love the Pacific NW.
Look at the enormous ferns on the side of the trail
Another falls
No comments:
Post a Comment