We went to Benjy's work picnic and they always have great food and fun for the whole family.
Kaydree went right to soccer practice after the picnic. She definitely stood out on the field.
your sisters feed you! Cheerios for earings.
A dirty little face that only a MOTHER could love...notice the bib was on and now it is off! 
Karsyn and Kaydree love to feed Kyce and the poor little guy gets laughed at and doesn't even know why!
I was coaching Amanda's brother in track, she came home for spring break. Meeting randomly and yet the experiences we have gone through together over the years of college, jobs, dating, marriages, starting our families, moves, heart aches, joys, sorrows. We may not see each other often, but we are very much apart of each others lives. I just thank my Heavenly Father not only for Amanda but for all of my friendships! I always feel that the Lord places not only our families but people in our lives to strengthen us and help us learn to be there for others, also. I believe it is not what we get out of friendships but what we can give to a friendship that makes it truely worth having...
We didn't know 15 years down the road that we would have daughters that would enjoy each other so much...
We didn't know that we would have our babies that could someday, potentially date? Just kidding! Isn't she just the cutest, though. As long as Kyce gives her oreo cookies, he could keep her happy. In fact last night when I got home, Benjy had a piece of chocolate cake and Lost Season 6 waiting for me. I was the happiest girl in the world!
Did we ever think that 15 years later our husbands (Eric from North Dakota and Benjy from Washington) would be going out to enjoy a game of golf together (no this isn't our car, our car would be the minivan in the background... maybe someday?)
We were hungry and we ate our fill..
The onion rings were awesome, too! I loved sitting outside by the lake, it was so beautiful and layed back. Talk about the ultimate Minnesota Lake Experience!
Kyce and Benjy enjoyed the fries.
It was a great way to start off our trip to their house.
They have a water park, outdoor pool and an indoor pool, but we decided to hang out at the lake while Benjy was in his Continuing Legal Education classes. It was so beautiful on the lake! Kaydree built a sandcastle.
Kyce played until he fell asleep.
And... our sweet little nature girl collected dead snails.
I sat on the chair relaxing. It was wonderful! 
These are just a few of the random pictures we have left to blog from our trip to Washington.
Kyce playing with Grandma.
Some pictures we took after church at Grandpa and Grandma's.
Shalayne, Danny and Ada
Laurel, Ryan, Kevin and Cade
Saturday night Grandpa and Grandma provided an awesome Steak, Shrimp and Chicken Barbecue. Christine made an awesome dessert and we enjoyed baked potatoes and corn on the cob. We hung out and enjoyed the much less Minnesota, mosquito, infested outdoors!
We were so excited that we finally got to hang out with Mike, Nani and the kids!
We all had so much fun in Washington. Kyce was the party boy, who wanted to party ALL night long, actually about every two hours! Let's just say reality hit him again once he got back to his own room and his own bed!
The kids had a blast on the Grandpa and Grandma's swing set!
Just hanging out. Diego, Shalayne, Laurel, Kevin, Becky and front: Danny and Ada. Later that night the guys went to hang out and do their guy thing... whatever that is???? Cards, stories, food and good times, so we hear.....
Kyce with Uncle Kevin.
Ada with Grandpa. She is such a doll and reminds us so much of the girls when they were little. My favorite part was that she knew I was baby Kyce's mommy, so I got called Baby Kristen. It was so sweet coming from her little tiny voice. Granted, she does address others with baby .....so and so , I am not the only one, but she made me feel special, anyway. It makes me sad to see these pictures and realize how fast and how short our time with everyone was. We are hosting the reunion next year here in Minnesota, so we are so excited to be able to look forward to our time together again.
Going to the Temple as a Family is always a highlight on our trips to Washington. It always seems like things come up to deter us from going, but we persevere and get there and once we do, it is always such an unbelievable experience. For those of you that don't know, we are Latter Day Saints or otherwise most people call us Mormons. The temple is special to me in many ways but when I attend with my husband, I am reminded that we didn't get married "until death do us part," but that we were sealed in the temple for "Time and All Eternity." We have the opportunity to be reminded and renew our covenants not only with each other but with Our Father in Heaven. Going as a family is important to us because the key here is, that Families can be Together forever! This is the House of the Lord and going to his house can only bring blessings beyond measure! 
Benjy hadn't seen his little brother Danny in three years and yet when we all get together, it is as if we were never apart! I wonder if life Eternal, when we are reunited with our loved ones that have passed on, will feel the same way, I believe it will.
After the Temple we went back to David and Christine's house for an amazing brunch! Then the men went back to entertain the kiddos. The ladies made flower clips and headbands, got pedicures and went shopping! Does a day get any better then this?
This was just the beginning of the guys slap down, punch it out, pinching fight in the water! It was so horrible they were like little boys again only they all felt it later and had bruises and battle wounds to show off! Yes, they considered this to be so much fun..? Boys will be boys.
As for the ladies, we couldn't have asked for a better day! It was so gorgeous! Kyce was so good he slept in his stroller in the background for part of the day.
Kaydree was off swimmng with the older cousins and I didn't get a picture of her. Someone has a picture of Kaydree on the wave board...hint hint..I would greatly appreciate one! ;-)
I can't really remember what we did on the third day...the day before the reunion started. I can say, thank goodness for the soccer net that entertained Kaydree and her cousins the entire week! I almost forgot that I had two daughters, they were so busy playing! The guys went salmon fishing really early in the morning. We kind of just hung out. It was kind of nice. Benjy and I went with Ken, Tony, Renae and Matt to see Inception one night, can't remember when? Still not sure what I think about this movie. It was good, however I went to bed thinking about it and woke up thinking about it. It was great that Grandpa and Grandma watched Kyce while the girls played at the Jones'. Actually it was fabulous to be able to go to a movie!
Benjy's oldest brother, Mike and his family were still on their vacation to Hawaii, for Nani's family reunion. They didn't get to join in on the fun until Friday night.
I think these pictures were actually taken on day four, but oh well, right?
I love this picture of David, Laurel, Becky and Benjy.
KYCE wearing Kade's sun glasses.
KADE wearing his own sunglasses. 
My little man looking so cool in his cousin's shades! 