Family Reunion

It is nearing the end of August and time for one more hoopla at Wallowa Lake. We went to the lake for a long weekend where we would meet up with many (not all:( ) of the Biamont/Cooper clan. I believe there were over 50 of us all. It was wonderful to see my Grandma smile at the love of family all around her. She is what connects us all. It was amazing to look at pictures of the family over many years. Thank you Grandma for putting those photo albums together. They are now an archive for our family. I of course forgot my camera to the picnic, but I did manage to snap some photos of my cousins and their families at our spaghetti feast!


We all wore ranch hats around the fire and Matt told stories about the history of the ranch and his grandparents!


I am not sure if Papa ever wore this one, but Matt pulled off! :) It was a bit chilly, but I almost preferred it that way. It felt like fall already! It was a nice change from the heat.



Amanda, Micah, and Andy pulled off the crazy look. Amanda chose the Minnie Pearl hat. We just needed a price tag hanging from it! I love the flower Andy, it is your color :)




I am not sure if Matt's stories are 100% accurate, but as someone said, he sure can make up a good one!

We had some good sister time too! Thanks for hanging out, Sis! I have had such a great time this summer living so close to Amanda and Micah. I feel very blessed.

Atticus and Tennyson would make their Great Grandfather proud in these hats. Each one of them looks like him in their own way! Andy is pulling off the german look! As you can see Atticus is ecstatic about me taking more pics!

Cool as a cucumber! It's a Stetson commercial. If you could only smell him!

I think he is a regular little John Wayne!

My Grandpa would have been very proud of his family. His legacy will live on for many years! I appreciate so much my extended family for making this weekend important and traveling from many different places to meet. I hope that we continue to make a weekend like this a priority! As each generation passes on, it is so important for us to stay connected so that story of us doesn't get lost. Thank you everyone for sharing stories, pictures, and memories! It was such a great weekend.

Now it is time to get back into the school groove! Yikes, how time flies! I am very grateful for a job, but it does require a lot of the new teacher tasks and trainings! Calgon...take me away!

July was jumpin'

Wow, July came and went it seems. Where does the time go? It started by trying to survive the heat wave with lots and lots of water. We had sprinkler fun with Grandma, Uncle Micah, and Noah...

Noah is the bravest!

Who goes in the sprinkler fully clothed? Oh yeah, my mom!

Sprinkler hair! Nice tan lines (hee hee)

Then we decided to go out to Aunt Jessie's and play in the pool with Noah and Penelope (she is the extra large horse....I mean dog in the pool)! It was so hilarious to watch her chase splashing water. She would make splash with her foot and then try and bite it. It was so funny. The boys got in with her and she would chase them in circles nipping at their rears.

"Yum Yum...you taste good!"

"Just checkin if you are alright"

Just horsin around!

The mercury rose above 98 degrees it was time to find water for me. I am such a wimp for heat. I am definitely an 80's girl. We found a perfect spot on the Columbia river where we swam and played in the sand. Sauvie Island is a great place to beat the heat.

Grandpa and Andy make great camels!

The score was T-3 Atticus-2.

T loved laying in the warm sand!

On the hottest day of the year this far, July 29th, little Hannah Grace Barnum was born at 8lbs 11oz. We got to keep Noah for the day!

Proud Daddy and Grandma Marlene

Can't you tell Noah is extatic about being at the hospital welcoming his new sister?

The 30th ended the month with a very bright spot. Mr. Aidan turned 8 and we decided to drive to the Tri-Cities on the 31st to help him celebrate. Atticus and Aidan are like old souls. It took very little time for them to get reaccquainted and be the best of buds. T discovered that Nadia was pretty stinkin cool too! I couldn't seperate them the entire time. I hope they can be life long friends too. It is so amazing to see a new friendships budding. Aidan and Atticus talked about being college roommates at WSU like their beautiful Mothers (if I don't say so myself, tee hee). Let's keep our fingers crossed Mel!

Best Buddies!...Future cougs!

See they were really attached at the hips. Poor Nadia. She was such a great hostess with the mostest! Thanks Nadia.

These are the looks I got when it was time to go. Talk about break your heart. Atticus would like to go live there now.

Now August is here and we are beginning to think about school and how neither one of us (Atticus or I) have read very much...oops! We have a family reunion to look forward to as well as this August marks 16 years of life together for my sweetie and I! That is half of my life for those of who don't remember how long ago that was :)

So until next time, we wish you all a wonderful rest of the summer! Keep in touch.

Love,

M, M, A, and T