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It's been a while, because we have been gone awhile. The 3 Shinsels took a 10 day vacation out West for Barry's wedding. We got to catch up with lots of family and friends as we traveled from Idaho, to Oregon, then to Utah. Even though I packed our camera and camcorder, I didn't take one picture or video. Good thing I was around smart people, who took some good shots!

Lincoln is a seasoned traveler: he is really such a trooper when we take him across so many time zones. He did great both times on the plane and driving down to Utah from Oregon. Of course, we also have to thank Elmo and all of our Nick Jr. friends! I could kiss the person who invented portable DVD players.

We landed in Boise, where Mama and Papa Shinsel met us at the airport. When Lincoln saw Grandma, he got a huge grin on his face and walked right into her arms. That just made her day! Later Kim and her 8 kids met us, and we ate at Chuck-a-rama (buffets are easiest with so many kids!). After eating, we all went to a park and played. We don't have any pictures from that day...only memories. Lincoln is lucky to have so many cousins that love playing with him. They chased him around the playground and helped him down the slide.

In Oregon, we got to play with more cousins. Sydney was born 6 months after Lincoln, and we have a feeling they are going to be good buds! They had some matching outfits, so Amy took some pictures.

Go Cougars!




We had pumpkins, so why not dress them in their Halloween gear?

Brent and Donna have an amazing garden, and they brought over lots of pumpkins to carve. Their 4 boys crack me up, and once again Lincoln is lucky to have great cousins! One of the pumpkins weighed about 90 pounds, which was perfect for what Dave had in mind. He has been feeling patriotic lately, so he carved a patriotic pumpkin, with scenes of D-Day, Moon Walking, Statue of Liberty, George Washington, and the Declaration of Independence. He is a very talented pumpkin carver! I tried to add the picture I have, but it didn't turn out well. I'll try again later with Dave's copies.

Mama Shinsel and the 3 of us were the first to head down to Utah for the wedding. We wanted to spend some time with Uncle Barry and Aunt Amy before things got too crazy. Lincoln loves Uncle Barry! They got to spend time together this summer. It took a little bit for Link to remember Barry, because Barry shaved his face. During the summer, the first thing Link would do, when he saw Barry, was touch his face. It was really cute!

We also got to spend time with our dear friends, the Youngs. Dave was roommates with Jeff and BYU and good friends with Jen. They have a little boy, Will, who was born 3 days after Lincoln. This was the third time the boys have met, and they get cuter each time they are together. I like to think of them as future BYU roommies!

Here they are playing at Carl's Jr.

Barry and Amy couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to get married! It was sunny and in the 70's, which is rare in October for Utah. I can't wait to see Amy's pictures from that day. I just realized some are probably confused with all the Amy's. Dave's younger brother is married to Amy (Amy a for Andy) and Dave's older brother is married to Amy (Amy b for Barry). Anyway, I'm excited to see Amy b's pictures from the wedding! The reception was at the Alpine Art's Center, which was decorated elegantly in black and maroon. Jen brought the boy's matching suits and ties.

The groom had his hands full with these 2!

Too stinkin' handsome

We had a chill, relaxing day the Sunday after the wedding. We spent the afternoon at a park with Kim's family and then had a cook-out at the Ballz house.

Feeding ducks with the Wrights

Oh, it is hard to leave family and friends, but so nice to be back home. When there is one happy grandma in Oregon, there is a sad grandma in North Carolina and vice versa. When there is a happy Edwards family in North Carolina, there is a sad Youngs family in Colorado. We love our family and friends all spread out across the country!