Bloomsday 2008

One of the more fun (and busy) trips we take every year is our annual walking of the Lilac Bloomsday Marathon in Spokane, WA. The 7.6 mile fun-run/walk is something Heather's family has done for almost 20 years, and it's always a great time. Add to that a mad dash to run around and see both of our Grandmothers (as well as uncles, aunts, and cousins) and you've got a recipe for a fun, tiring weekend full of picture moments. Here are a few of the better ones...

Hollyn grabs a powdered donut at the exhibit hall where we pick up our Bloomsday packets.

You know if Hollyn gets one, Evan gets one (or two) too!

Great-Grandma Harriet can't get enough hugs from her girl.

Or her big boy!

Uncle Roger is almost as good at hugging as he is at tickling.

Evan has really taken to climbing trees. The higher the better. He certainly doesn't get that love of heights from me!

Cousin Alexis shares some lip gloss. Hollyn loved doing pretty-pretty stuff with her older cousins.

Of course, so did cousin Ashton.

Evan gives Great-Grandma Norman a big hug.

All the cousins showing their cool side on a hot day.

Evan and Hollyn - Race Day

When you're in with 50,000 people, wearing BRIGHT yellow is the way to go.

It's a looooong way down to the starting line.

Evan and Kaycee keep up with Grandpa Don on a hill.

Evan enjoyed a few of the sprinkles provided by onlookers.

Daddy pushes the jogger...a little lighter when Evan chose to walk.

We couldn't have asked for better weather. Everyone got a little sun.

Roadside entertainment - Evan wouldn't get within 10 feet of the "belly dancers" but that didn't mean they didn't run to him when they saw Mommy taking a picture. Evan's face was as red as his shirt after he realized they got so close to him!

Coming down the stretch towards the finish line!

What a great time we had as an extended family!

Evan after a big lunch after the marathon!

We stopped just outside of Vantage, WA at a Wild Horse Monument to overlook the Columbia River.

Evan, King of the Rocks!

My lovely girls.

The boy never stops climbing or exploring.

Mommy climbed the rocks too and caught Evan for a picture.

Back from Spokane to Selah, WA to visit Grandpa/Grandma Nehls.

More great-grandparent hugs and love.

Evan gives a specially big squeeze.

Evan explains to Grandpa Nehls that 7 years old is right around the corner.

Our last leg of the trip, we stopped at the Stonehedge Monument replica on the Columbia River.

We were a little tired, but always enjoy sharing little family adventures.

The shirt says it all.

A horizontal tree is just as much fun to climb as a vertical one.

Time for one more squeeze before heading home. Mt. Hood is off to the right in the distance!