Happy grandparents, happy children, happy dogs

[nanila]

[My parents, Oma, Keiki, cousins in the front garden at the out-law's house in the Pacific Northwest.]

At the end of our recent flying visit to the States, Keiki and my parents and I drove up to my aunt&uncle-out-law's house nearby. Keiki and I stayed overnight, and Aunt-Out-Law treated us to VIP service to the airport the next morning, taking our heavy luggage to the check-in desk and walking us all the way to the security gate. But before that, we had a birthday barbecue for Uncle-Out-Law, with all the cousins. It was brilliant, and there are lots of photos of family and celebrations below the cut.


Mom & Dad watching Keiki play with a toy boat on the floor of the sitting room.


Keiki touches Cousin Adam's husky, Eve. Eve is normally quite a shy dog, but she took a real shine to Keiki.


Dad, Cousin Adam and Aunt-Out-Law watch Keiki bibbling around on the sitting room floor.


Oma watches Cousin John, Eve and Keiki. Not really sure what was going on here but Keiki was pretty excited about it.


Oma watches Mom pursuing Keiki around the front garden.


Everyone gathering around Oma's chair in the front garden.


Dad in pursuit of Keiki in the front garden.


Chow time! Everyone digging into the barbecue. Cousin Chris (on the left) credited for the delicious ribs.


Keiki gnawing on a rib slathered in sauce. Earlier, I had offered him a rib with no sauce on it, which he rejected. Once he saw Cousin Claire's plate next to him, he decided he absolutely had to have one of those, with the super-spicy sauce on it, and promptly helped himself. It took him the better part of half an hour, but he ate the whole thing.


Cousin Claire & her daughter teach Keiki to play the bottle-flute.


That's a non-alcoholic ginger beer bottle, btw, before anyone gets all righteously horrified.


Homemade chocolate cake for Uncle-Out-Law.


Uncle-Out-Law and grandchildren preparing to blow out the candles.


Candles successfully extinguished!

My parents and most of the cousins (apart from Adam) departed shortly thereafter. I put Keiki to bed and the remaining adults (and dog) settled into the sitting room for wine and chat. It was a brief visit, but a really lovely one.

Comments

[perennialanna]

That dress with a butterfly on the bodice that the small girl is wearing - I had that. It came from Marks and Spencer thirty years ago. It is such beautiful quality that it is in my wardrobe and may well fit L this summer. It's slightly odd seeing it in your pictures.

It looks like a lovely gathering of family.

[fred_mouse]

There is such a lovely feel to being able to pass clothes down to one's children. Youngest Child has now outgrown all the clothes my grandmother made for me, and they have been put aside for the next generation, but zie has now grown into the clothes that *I* made for me, as a young adult! I hope your L adores the dress.

[nanila]

Cousin Claire (the eldest) was born in the UK, so it must have been hers when she was small. It's nice to learn that Aunt-Out-Law must have brought it to the USA & saved it all that time. :)

[cesy]

Aww, everyone looks so happy! :)

[nanila]

They were! It was truly a joyous family gathering. Gatherings are not easy to plan as it is, and joy is certainly not guaranteed, so there was much to be thankful for that day.

[pbristow]

=:o}

I love the one of ActionPose!Keiki being stalked by huge towering Grampa.

[nanila]

Me too! Especially since my Dad is only slightly taller than I am. :P

[silveradept]

That's a happy child with all the relatives. Good work on the ribs, Keiki!

[nanila]

Yep, he does love being in the thick of things. :)

[ironed_orchid]

It looks like an excellent gathering.

[nanila]

It was. I've been fortunate enough to be part of a number of those recently.