Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Burbank Reunion

The Burbank Clan had a family reunion in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado this past weekend. It was nice to see everyone, meet new faces, and reconnect with those that we haven't seen in a long time. It was the first time Lucas and Frances got to meet their two cousins - Andrew and Ethan - and the first time in nine years that Randy has had his whole family together.  
The first night meeting Andrew and Ethan. 

Looking at pictures of the extensive family tree.

The boys watching a late night movie

Friday morning a group horseback riding trip was planned. Randy and Lucas went on the ride.  

Lucas is in the very front of the pack - the little guy in the red jacket. 

Lucas developed a fever while on the trip. We got him back to the condo around 12:30 and he slept until 8 the next morning. He woke briefly that evening, watched some TV, ate a couple bites of food, then back to bed. Poor guy - he threw up a couple of times too. I feel bad because I just exposed all the family to their sickness (Frances had a fever last Monday, too, then developed a rash). Hopefully, no one else gets sick. Crossing fingers.   

Lucas woke up Saturday morning feeling better, so we decided to venture out. We went and rode the gondolas to the mountain top where there were lots of summer activities...

...like mining for treasure.

Frances had fun digging in the sand and then playing in the flowing water.

The lone miner

Baby having fun climbing up and down on the bench and picking flowers, while Lucas mined for gems.

We took a walk up the hill (It was a lot steeper than it looks!) to check out the snow patch. That's Randy with the blue pack on pushing the stroller.

We made it!

View from the top

Me and my babies

Us

Back in the gondola heading down the mountain

Watching for wildlife

Right across the street from where we stayed was a great riverfront park. Frances enjoyed the stone slide (after having ice cream, of course).

Lucas rock hopping in the river.

Frances, of course, had to get right in there too.
Saturday evening was the main family reunion event. There were at least 70 or so people there. We had a large spread of wonderful home cooked food, a speech to acknowledge and thank folks, and lots of picture taking opportunities. It was a very nice evening; one you wish you could do more often.
The Burbank Ladies

Cathy and Kids

The Gary Burbank Branch
(I think Lucas and Andrew were having a contest to see who could make the funniest face) 

Us, plus, Uncle Ron and his son Derrick (Top Right) and on the couch Great-Uncle Harry on the left, Great-Aunt Clem on the right and her husband Al in the middle (the only living siblings from the Willard Eugene and Mary Marguerite family line).

Burbank Men

Siblings

Burbank Boys
...While Randy and Lucas were on the horseback riding trip, Cathy, Frances and I went out to explore downtown.
Frances and big dog

Grandma Cathy and Francy watching the river
It was a great trip to the Rocky Mountains - our first time to Colorado - and seeing the extended family. Hopefully, we'll get to do it again soon...

Monday, July 22, 2013

Day out with Thomas

I won 4 tickets to the Northwest Railway Museum in beautiful Snoqualmie for a Day out with Thomas yesterday. The highlight was a train ride along the Snoqualmie River to the top of the Falls. It was breathtaking. 
Hanging out before our train ride

Thomas!

Right before boarding the train

On the train looking out at the top of the Falls

The river below the Falls

Another view shot

On the train heading back to the station

The Falls

The train tracks are on the far side behind the trees

The overlook - I'm standing with the kids on the far right

Awwwww

Lake Cushman

Our friends were camping this weekend at Lake Cushman - a beautiful lake in the Olympic Mountains. We didn't camp because we have a trip coming up this week and we didn't want to overload ourselves - not that we didn't have a crazy busy weekend! So, we drove up on Saturday to hang out for the day. It was absolutely beautiful and we had a great time.  
Mount Washington 

Megan and Lucas

Frances

The beautiful lake

The crew

It was very difficult keeping this kid out of the water - but she seemed to be content playing inside the tube for a while.

Out on the lake

Taking a cruise 

Randy taking some of the kids out on the boat

Tuckered out