We just said goodbye to the sweetest family of five after a (much too short) fun-filled weekend. I went to college at EWU with Rod & Catie Harkins and they are two of the most wonderful people I know, who are now parents to three kids who are as equally wonderful as their mom & dad! We enjoyed our time with all of them immensely and were very sad to see them drive away in their RV this morning.
Saturday morning we spent some time prepping the backyard knowing that we would be spending lots of time outside on these gorgeous summer days. Jeff put up the kids' tent and we filled up two pools (a big one for the big kids and a wading pool for baby Cash & Nicholas). Ella spotted a butterfly flitting from tree to tree and loved chasing it around.
In the late afternoon as we waited for our friends to arrive, Ella and I tried to beat the heat and spent some time cooling off in the wading pool.
The Harkins family arrived just as dinner was ready to be served and the kids enjoyed eating a BBQ dinner picnic-style together.
That evening the warm day turned cool so Jeff built a fire and we all sat outside and chatted. The kids made s'mores and I think Ella ate her weight in marshmallows.
My favorite part of sitting by the fire was holding this sweet baby boy. Cash just turned one year-old and I am so blessed to be his godmother. I can say with total sincerity that he is one of the happiest, smartest, easy-going, cutest babies I know! I absolutely adore him (and his big brother and sister).
Fire time turned into chat time for the mommies and daddies so I made a spot in the living room for the big kids to cuddle up and watch a movie. They fell asleep after a short while after an evening of running, chasing, playing, and giggling.
The next morning we woke up bright and early to drive to the Oregon Zoo. The kids were all super excited to spend the day looking at all the exotic animals.
My two kiddos liked Lily, the baby elephant, the best. I think they could have spent all day watching her run around with her mommy.
Nicholas is also a huge fan of any animal that lives in an aquarium. He enjoys watching the turtles and fish swim all over the place and had a running commentary about what they were doing.
All of the kids enjoyed the primate section of the zoo and were excited to see this one up close.
Hank was super happy to finally find the giraffes near the end of the day as he had been waiting to see them.
Hank was also happy to see this cougar raise its head after a long nap.
Aubree and Ella devoured their animal crackers and mini bananas during snack time. Yum!
When we returned home, the adults enjoyed a late lunch while the kiddos spent a few hours swimming in both pools. The big pool was awfully cold as the summer sun hadn't quite warmed it to their liking, and the wading pool was almost like a hot tub so they kept jumping in and out of both.
Later Nicholas got comfy with his friends in the tent.
Aubree was so sweet to Nicholas, she was always doting on him, helping Jeff & I with his medical needs, talking to him, and just being near him. Nicholas adored every minute of her affection.
As I was snapping photos of the kids through the tent window Cash popped out with this huge adorable grin on his face. Cutest baby photo bomb ever!!
After dinner, Catie treated me to a Shellac manicure. She brought all the tools with her and it was so fun to learn about this awesome manicure that dries in minutes, doesn't smudge or chip, and lasts up to two weeks. I am hooked! Thanks, Catie, I cannot stop staring at my pretty pink nails!
My friendship with this lovely lady has spanned thirteen years and even though we don't have the luxury of seeing each other very often, we always pick up right where we left off. Catie is one of my most dear friends and I am beyond blessed to have her in my life.
This last photo sums up all of our weekend fun...there were lots of moments of silliness, laughter, giggles, and smiles...I don't think it could have been any better. We love you, Harkins family! Enjoy your trip to the Oregon Coast and come back to visit very soon!!
