Amazing Family Weekend - Tribute to My Gramp

Easter was the last holiday that we celebrated with Gramp. It's hard to believe that two years of holidays have passed since we were all together, but his spirit definitely continues to live on. Because of his incredible generosity and his sacrificial living during his life, we continue to get to spend amazing times vacationing together as a family. Mom and Dad have been so generous in sharing what Gramp passed on to them, as they rented 3 beach houses for our entire family to be together. I couldn't help but smile and feel his presence this weekend. Up until Thursday, the weather had basically been horrible for 1 1/2 months! I don't think it was a coincidence that the weather was amazing for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday while 36 of us gathered together to celebrate Easter weekend together. The weather turned back to rain as we left the beach today....I think Gramp had a hand in that :). I'm sure he was smiling up in heaven and laughing hysterically as he watched the "Rosson/Coussens Beach Volleyball Championship," as he watched the kids play football and jump the waves together. He smiled as we decorated Easter eggs at the park in the bright sunshine, decorated cookies, and played lots of games together. I'm sure he smiled when he saw McKenzie sit with Elie and look at the rocks, when Jack kept begging to be with his cousins, and when the kids stayed up and talked together until 2:00 in the morning. I'm sure his heart was warmed as he saw Sara and Kelsey walk arm in arm together. I'm sure he smiled when Peter left the volleyball game early to grill up dinner for the entire family and when he saw Dad being the personal golf assistant for Peter, Conner, and Michael. I'm sure his heart was moved when he heard McKenzie get in the car to leave and say, "We have the BEST family. We are the luckiest family - I LOVED this trip." I'm sure he was smiling when he saw his daughter make every single grandchild feel incredibly special, when he saw her be a peacemaker during the conflicts that come as expected when so many people get together, and for making this weekend possible. I hope he wasn't laughing, though, when he saw the bird poop on me during my walk. There are many, many pictures on this post, but each picture reminds me of how very special family is and how the spirits of those we love live on.....

Ready for the Sun!!

I was happy to hear on the news that we are supposed to have sun most of the week. I usually don't really give much thought to the weather, but this year I am feeling done with the rain. Maybe I'm feeling more done with the weather because Conner has had to play all of his golf matches in the pouring rain and even hail!! Kelsey has been practicing soccer in the rain and hiding out undercover at schools while practicing softball. We have broken a record in Portland with the number of rainy days that we have had recently, so we're extra ready to be able to get outside and enjoy the nice weather. Yesterday, Peter put out our deck furniture, outdoor pillows, swept up the deck, etc. My friend and I had a nice walk around the neighborhood, and then she game over for a glass of wine, while we sat outside and enjoyed the sun. After expecting the nice weather....I have to say I'm a bit disappointed as I look out the window. I took these pictures 5 seconds apart from each other - the sun is shining out the front door, and there are dark clouds when I look out the back door. It just hailed for a few minutes and now it's raining, so hopefully those dark clouds will move on by and give way to the sun. Kelsey has a softball game tonight in Forest Grove (where we completely froze last week, so a little bit more sun today would be nice :)

We Finished!

Today was the Vernonia 1/2 Marathon, and we are surprised and happy to say that we actually finished it! We came in last place, but we didn't mind because we weren't sure we would make it, given that training was pretty sporadic, we all slept horribly last night, and we weren't feeling 100%. The weather hung in there for us which was nice. Most of us enjoyed the scenery :) Dad was a huge help in dropping us off at the starting line and picking us up at the finish line, so we didn't have to take a bus back to the high school. Afterwards we went to Helvetia and chowed down on onion rings, burgers, fish and chips, and sandwiches. We had to make sure that all of the calories we burned were immediately consumed! The pictures are from my phone, so they're not the greatest. We are looking forward to bringing the kids back on the trail for a long bike ride.

Sunday Relaxation Time

After an extremely busy week, we enjoyed some family time today by playing spoons, Rat-a-tat Cat, and Spot It. Peter and I went on a 6-mile walk and saw our friends and ended up walking with them for a few miles. Peter grilled delicious steaks, and I made some bland mashed potatoes and edamame. Afterwards we all went out to the new yogurt shop that just opened by our house. We are trying to get used to having both Peter and I both working full time again, driving the kids to three different sports, keeping up with the house, etc. One thing that really helped me this week was when I was putting Kelsey to bed after one of our busiest nights, she said, "Mom, I learned today that there are some girls who don't get to go to school because they have to walk for miles to get water for their families. Then when they get up the next day they have to go back to get more water." I really needed to hear that to help put all of our "busy ness" in perspective. One day I think I would really like to go on a mission trip with Kelsey. She has such a heart for other people.