May Family Gathering

We gathered today to celebrate Izaak, Arielle, Gideon and Krista's birthday and Krista's farewell. Krista's birthday is in June, but this will be her last family gathering with us.  Izaak is in OR, this isn't Kruke's weekend with the kids, so they weren't here, and Jared was unable to make it. Luke was gone most the day tending to last minute items on the trailer and moving it to the "lemon lot." I think everyone else made it. 

A sidenote to explain a bit of backstory. Yes, Krista's orders cleared up and she and Luke are moving to OKINAWA, JAPAN.  Krista reports in June. She has SOS starting in July back in Alabama. She will go ahead to Japan, secure quarters, receive their household goods and fly to Alabama. Luke is staying local this summer to spend the time with the kids. This allows for a calmer summer for the kids amidst moving chaos and another few months for the kids to spend with their friends. The greenlight for the overseas move put plans into hyper-speed. Today, Krista and Luke are moving out of their trailer, and it is on the market.  In the upcoming week they will be traveling to GA to take Reno (English Mastiff) to his new home with an airman who LOVES him. His breed is one the airlines won't fly.  Back to May's gathering.  Izaak is in Oregon on this day having adventures of his own and receiving his second master's degree this one in foundations of leadership. We celebrated him though he wasn't here and hope to catch up with him in person next month. 

Here is a shot of our birthday celebrants along with a couple of extras. Arielle is turning 28, Gideon is turning 8, Krista is turning 38. Gideon is the honored recipient of the pig hat today. 

I am once again back blogging and so here are photos from the day in no order whatsoever. LOL Thanks to the kids who sent extra shots of the day.  Things are greening up outside. It is fun to be able to enjoy the yard again. The moves moved the tables close together. 

Cory and Jamin moving tables

CoRielle's 4 yos - Danny & Charles

Uncle Jamin is pressed into service!

Jamin & Noah

Cory & GG 

Larissa, Arielle, Carrie and Josi on the ground

This is a uniquely Gherkin game, created and played for over a decade now...teaching the moves to a new generation. 

Nolan, Stacia, Benny, Jamin 

Gideon accepts the unwrapping challenge

Papa helps unwrap Arielle's packing tape extravaganza under the watchful eyes of several grands. 

Arielle & Ellie

 

My how the tables have changed! 

Noah pulls Jamin 

Josi and Carrie

Cousins! Bella & Josi

Milling

Carrie, Josi & Jamin

The toy horse is pressed into service. 

Cory & Lyra

Cousins! Trudy and Noah

LOL

Trudy, Bre and Bella

Noah

Allie, Jamin, Liv, Stacia and me

GG and Noah

Carrie & Josi

Arielle & Ellie

At the end of the day, when activity had calmed and the night was quiet, Krista and I soaked in the hot tub and caught up with the status of plans etc. She has been traveling the past two weeks visiting her groups in Hawaii and Guam. She has had to tackle the moving list hard the last few days.  She and Michael leave in the morning to drive Reno down the Alcan.