For Memorial Day weekend we were needing some sunshine a lot! Steve Madsen had just had surgery on his neck so he was asking that we travel to Redding to give him some much needed diversion. Also, my 5th child, Chris Etherington was moving from Redding the day after we got there and we had not yet seen his new baby, Ryan. We would only have 1 evening to spend with them before they moved, so we decided with all those reasons put together we would journey the 9 hour trek back to Redding. We had so much fun. The great part was that we didn't really do too much. The kids had a blast riding their "mule" and swimming and just being outside all day long...something they hadn't had in a long time. We just played games and visited and as always, ate real good. Here are just a few photos of our trip.

Maryn and Julia. They had a sleepover with Monica Dixon and Savannah Galloway too. It was all about the friends this trip.

Emmy got together with her best friend in the whole world...Annie Crawford and her sister Livvy. They played 2 days together, doing projects, swimming, playing dressup and putting on the play "Cinderella" for the moms.

Cinderella, the step-mother and a mean sister.

Best friends. They just hugged an laughed the whole time they were together.

Adyson got to spend an afternoon with Sydney Goold at Sydney's house. (so sad we didn't get a picture of them playing.)

Kaden could not keep his hands off of the 2 week old kittens that were born at the Madsens.

Emmy loved her time in the big, fun tub, all alone.

Kaden hugging Chris who's holding Ryan. It was great to see the little Etherington family.

Everyone had a chance holding little Ryan who is SO cute!

Jeff and Ryan.

Maryn with Ryan.