Aunt Rachele & Cousin Troy are here!

Troy on guitar, Xander on drums.


The kids love Troy.


Peeking into Xander's fort.


Troy brought Xander his old pirate costume.


Aunt Rachele and Clare play with the new felt board Grandma Mary sent. Thank you, Mary!


The boys set up a miniature golf course in the back yard.


Cousins Jackson and Max joined us Sunday afternoon (along with Laurence and Sara). It was so fun to see all the second cousins playing together.


More music.






Building a pirate ship.


Inside the ship's hull.






Sledge boys. (Clare was already asleep and Xander was having a bit of an it's-two-hours-past-my-bedtime meltdown in another room.)


Aunt Rachele took Xander downtown yesterday morning
to get yummy pastries for breakfast.


Michael, Rachele and the boys went to Northwest Trek
wildlife park yesterday afternoon. It was a big hit!




Xander was very excited to see the exotic John Deere on the tram ride.




Xander liked this raccoon pelt in the gift shop.
I'm just glad he didn't come home with it.






Rachele and I took the kids to the children's museum this morning.


Xander and Troy built a really elaborate house.


Pin wall with Aunt Rachele!




Clare was surrounded by swarms of big kids at the water table,
but didn't seem to mind the chaos at all.








Giving a speech.


"Introducing the king!"


Clare manning the ticket booth.






Clare trying to squeeze Xander out of the driver's seat.


You can see how well that worked out for her.