Tacoma Rainiers

(I think Rachel and I look like we could be sisters)

We finally made it to a Rainier's game last weekend before the kids started school. It was the last night game of the season so they did the firework show and the kids loved it. This year they didn't even have to cover their ears the whole time. They also loved the cotton candy, free hats and free crazy bread. Miya had been at Wild Waves all day for Cora's birthday party so was pretty tired by the time we got home. They all seemed to be great until church the next morning.

Labor Day was fantastic. It was in the 80s and we were able to play volleyball, swim and have a BBQ. Oh, and we worked all morning on the cabin in order to truly celebrate LABOR day. The cabin is SOOOO close to getting done, but it seems the small finishing touches are taking forever. We have picked out the colors for the outside of the house and hopefully we will be able to do the outside work in the next few weeks while the weather holds out.

Cousins

With Ashlee's girls before they headed out of town.

With Tamara's and Andra's kids.

This summer we have been able to spend time with cousins and I am just now getting pictures off my camera. I love to see the kids play together and forming friendships with family. We had family reunions with everyone and the kids talked about it all summer long.

Last week of Summer

The kids have been enjoying the last week of summer and the wonderful Indian Summer weather we are having. They have been swimming and lately they got out the sleds and going down the hill of dead grass. The rest of the US has started school, but my kids are enjoying these last few moments of freedom. I will be sad next week when they head back to school and Lyla wont know what to do without someone telling her what she should be doing all day. It is time for hair cuts, cleaning out drawers of clothes that are now too small and scrubbing down this house that has been sadly neglected the last few months. It has been a wonderful summer that has flown by way too fast.

PS. the cabin is almost done and we hope to finish it this weekend with the holiday time off.

Saying Goodbye

So Ashlee and Michael were here last week and now they are gone back to California. They stayed with us for Tuesday night before heading on their way. It wasn't a sunny day, but the kids got in the water for a short little swim before dinner and sleepover. Being the wonderful person that I am I had to be mad at Ashlee for moving so I wouldn't be too sad when she left. It wasn't until Sunday driving home from a meeting after church and after the Combs' family reunion that I cried really hard for the 15 minute ride home. I am not a person that likes change. I tried to act like things don't bother me, but it is always a little hard for me to adjust to things.
On a happier note we have had fantastic weather and Phil's sisters brought their kids over yesterday to swim and hang out. It was a wonderful time and I am sadly counting down the days until the kids start school again. I can't believe how quickly the summer has flown by.

Lyla is getting so good at putting her head in the water without plugging her nose.

Emery and her amazing hair.

Olivia, I love this little girl and all her spunk.

I had to brush Lyla's hair and this is what she thought about it.

Lyla's hair gets so bad from the life jacket after swimming.

These pictures are old, maybe even from Miya's baptism? Cannon and Carson were out riding bikes in the rain and got so muddy.

Lately

The sun has been out that last few weeks and we have loved being outside. We eat lunch outside, have friends over and swim most of the day. I can't believe that we are into August and how quickly the summer is flying by, sigh. My kids are at such a great age to really enjoy summer. They are super happy about just hanging out and playing. Plus this summer is the first without naps and we have been out later playing volleyball in the evenings and the kids sleep in later. Yes we are lazily enjoying this summer and yet trying to enjoy all the activities as well. We had cousins over for an afternoon last week.

Lyla the safety child with her life jacket and tube. She is getting much better at putting her face in the water without plugging her nose.

Titus in the background, he could stay in the water all day and never get cold. My kids have to get out about every 15 minutes to warm up in the sun.

We have also met up with friends at Sunnyside Beach a few times this summer. We also got to go to music in the park and listen to Elvis and have snow cones.

Oh, and Ashlee is moving back to California. I am not excited about that next week, but it was so great to have her here for a year and hopefully they will be back in a few years.