Alex + Carmen come again

The highlight of Alex & Carmen's visit was seeing these two cuties together. Pierce is older by six weeks, so he was a little bit of a bully, but Fee handled him pulling her hair pretty well. 

It's so sweet to be in this stage with my brother & my friend. I didn't worry when Fee was being whiny or about dragging a baby along--they were right there with me!

Both babies are little peanuts for their age; must be the shared 7/8 genetics, eh;)?

 It wasn't all about the babies though. We did get a tour of wine country in one lovely evening. The views are incredible, & the roads are remote enough to just stroll around.

 And it wouldn't be July in Oregon without some berries. We watched the night crew & rode on the berry picker. Dar & Alex hashed the more technical aspects of berry farming. Me? I just eat the berries! (I am interested in the farming part too, actually. even if I'm still a little naive about it all.)

 They were here over the Fourth of July, so we got in a parade & a good, old homegrown fireworks show.

 It was still hot while they were here, so we spent our time outside by the pond or kiddie pool mostly. The boys are into croquet this summer & usually get a game or two in a week.

It was the third summer in a row they've made it to Oregon. I know this can't last (unfortunately). More kids, more busyness, they'll take their toll. But for now, I'm so glad they make the effort. It's so fun to have them here, to have a brief snippet of life with them, to see our little ones beside each other. Soon enough it will be the little ones begging to travel back & forth!