Another Family Reunion

  Last weekend we went up to stay at a house just outside Rainier National Park with Aimee, Karl, and Tyler.  While we were there Daryl's dad, Daryl, and his wife, Karen, were able to come hang out with us one day.  They also brought Ashley, Thomas, and Ayva, so we were able to be with almost all of Daryl and Karl's siblings. We had a great time hanging out together.  Aimee and I took all the kids to hike the Grove of the Patriarchs on Friday before Daryl and Karl got there after work.  Then on Saturday morning we went to ride the gondolas at Crystal Mountain.  The gondolas offer some beautiful views of Mt. Rainier without any actual hiking.  Saturday Aimee and I left the kids behind to do a short hike to Silver Falls that was absolutely gorgeous.  It was nice to be able to do something with Aimee without the kids.  Also it was Daryl's birthday while we were up there, and we celebrated accordingly.

Daryl and his wife Karen with the grandkids.  Ayva is on Karen's lap, Emery, Harper looking a little squished, Luke and Avery on Daryl's lap, and Tyler with an epic face.

Luke is ready to drive already.  He can totally reach those pedals.

Emery enjoying Daryl's birthday cake.

Ayva and Aimee hanging out.

Tyler was over pictures when it was my turn to take this with him and Luke.

Luke, Avery, and Harper on the porch swing.

Tyler in the foreground.  In the background the suspension bridge that we had to cross to get to the Grove of the Patriarchs.  You had to wait in line to cross it with only a couple people on it at a time.

Emery, Harper, and Avery throwing rocks.

On the gondola going up.  Karl, Harper, Tyler, and Aimee.  Karl and Harper were very nervous going up.  Harper was holding Karl and Tyler's hands.

Our side going up.  Daryl, Avery, Rachel, Luke, and Emery

Tyler bought this coyote skin hat with his own money and was quite proud.

A squirrel enjoying a banana peal at the top.

The view of Mt. Rainier from the top.

Just Luke hanging out with his hands in his pockets.

I guess Luke is just getting ready for his modeling career.

Here we are going down.  Daryl, Luke, Rachel, Harper, and Emery.  This time I had to hold Harper like this all the way down.

The other side going down.  Karl, Avery, Tyler, and Aimee.  Karl was in his happy place and couldn't look at the camera for the picture. It was pretty high up.  

We roasted some marshmallows.  Tyler, Daryl, Harper, Karl, Luke, Aimee, and Emery.

Silver Falls

Me with Silver Falls

Aimee and I looking good on our hike.