i spy with my little eye. . .

nine kids and a little momma at the fish hatchery. . .

with wonder in their eyes. . .

from seeing Herman, the 10 ft sturgeon. . .

and stinky hands. . .

from feeding all the fish.

  

I spy with my little eye. . .

a picnic blanket full of cousins. . .

and an outfit change from one fashion-conscious two year old. . .

with plates full of honey-lime enchiladas. . .

that were a hit with some. . .

and un-touched by others.

I spy with my little eye. . .

cousins playing together. . .

and a 16 year old and a 10 year old competing with the preschoolers. . .

after a late afternoon of church.  

I spy with my little eye. . .

a proud little boy. . .

showing his cousins the "gutter". . .

at the Portland temple.

I spy with my little eye. . .

cherry chip ice cream and brownies in the park on a Sunday evening. . .

and some very chilly people. . .

who aren't used to the humidity's cold effects. . .

even in the summertime.

I spy with my little eye. . .

nine excellent berry pickers. . .

and one with professional grocer/berry picking aspirations. . .

and some white shoes that will never be the same. . .

and a berry about to be snatched!

I spy with my little eye. . .

nine cousins at the Oregon Zoo. . .

and two balloons that had to be popped. . .

and one flip-flop, before it fell into the giraffe's home. . .

which meant one really dirty left foot for one unhappy little boy.

I spy with my little eye. . .

a fun late-night for some, sleep over for others. . .

and a bored 16 year old who doesn't love babysitting. . .

and a small pile of blueberries on the floor, 

followed by a, "lets not tell our moms" comment. . .

from my two year old.

I spy with my little eye. . .

a boy sleeping sideways. . .

and ashie's little bum. . .

and a limb from a night-gown wearing princess.

I spy with my little eye. . .

too big of a group at Powell's book store. . .

and pinduli the hyena-boy.

I spy with my little eye. . .

too big of a group on the train downtown. . .

and a unicorn. . .

and curly joe. . .

with an armful of trendy teenage bracelets. . .

and a tassel or two.

I spy with my little eye. . .

five cousins with one mother. . .

while the rest went for donuts. . .

and a boy who got soaked. . .

and a girl who wanted to get naked. . .

and a boy with stinky socks. . .

and three kids who had to go to the bathroom. . .

all at different times.

I spy with my little eye. . .

cute kids in the beautiful rose garden. . .

which is the only place. . .

in the portland area. . .

that sells shaved ice!

(you know my sweet husband surprised me with one.)

I spy with my little eye. . .

a lady with a long, swishy, pioneer-like skirt. . .

who walked around downtown Portland. . .

as if she had eight children. . .

plus one on the way. . .

who may or may not have felt. . .

that everyone was staring at her. . .

and her litter.

*****

What the eye can't see. . .

is how much we loved having these cousins visit. . .

plus their parents-

they were okay too.

And. . .

let us not forget

the major swelling left behind

for the poor, pregnant, pioneer lady

and her feet, face and hands.

We miss them already. . .

swelling or not.

Thanks for a wonderful four days, Allreds!