Nature Hunt :: 7.19.17

I started getting a subscription for the kids called KidLitArt.  Once a month, a box comes and it has a picture book to read to the kids, along with art projects that go along with the book.  It's super fun and the kids love it.  And I love it because I don't have to think of an art project all on my own.  July's box came with a bingo card to find things out in nature, like "something wet" (river).  

One morning, we went up to Heart of the Monster and the kids walked around finding the items on the card.  It was a "cooler" morning (only mid 70's).  It was a beautiful day and we were eager to get out and explore.

These kids are hilarious.

The path leads to a beach along the river.  The kids had a fun time searching for the nature items, throwing rocks into the river, and playing in the sand.

Happy 4th :: 2017

We didn't really have solid 4th of July plans until that morning.  We drove to Grangeville (40 minutes) and took part in their festivities.  We had lunch, the kids played some games, and then we watched the parade.  This was when I was starting to notice the heat (it was a HOT summer).

Joel during the parade.

Joshua waiting for the parade to start.

Jeralyn ready with her candy bag.

The parade was pretty cool.  Lots of beautiful horses...and tractors.  So different than what we saw in Southeast Alaska.

The kids got SO much candy!  Ha!  There was a sheriff helping direct traffic that was near the kids and he was helping Joshua get all of the extra candy.  It was really sweet.  It was a successful day!

That evening Quent had planned to take both older kids to Kooskia to watch fireworks, but he could not get Joshua to wake up to take him.  So he just took Jeralyn.

Michigan :: June, 2017

My sister Amanda graduated from high school this June; Jeralyn and I flew to Michigan for the graduation ceremony and party.  I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

We had a week's time in Michigan and I filled every moment I could with friends and family.  It was such a wonderful visit!  It was so nice to focus on conversation without diapers to change or little boys to chase around.  Quent stayed home with the boys.

Here are some photos of our week:

My friend Carrie and I.  It was so good to visit with her.  Always such a blessing!

My brother and his family were also visiting in Michigan.  They came over to my mom and Al's house one day for a visit and meal.  This is Luella, my niece, and Jeralyn; they are both 6 years old.

My brother and their youngest, Malachi.  What a sweetie!

The whole family!  We had a nice time together.

The four of us.

Jeralyn had fun dressing up at Grandma's house.

And then we moved onto graduation stuff.  This is Katie and Amanda before the graduation ceremony.

I was 17 years old when Amanda was born. It's crazy how time flies!!  It's hard to believe she's already grown and in college.

Amanda and my dad.

And with Kelly.

And Jacob.

The ceremony took place at Pine Knob.  She graduated with over 500 students, so it was a decent-long ceremony.  There is she is walking back to her seat (center).

The day after I was so happy to spend some time with my friend Rebekah and her kids Titus and Leah.

One of the days we went shopping at Great Lakes Crossings and Jeralyn rode the carousel.

Amanda and I at her graduation party.  I just love this girl!  She's bright, beautiful, and so very sweet. I'm so proud of her!

We had a very nice visit and we hope to be back next summer.

VBS :: First week of June 2017

Jeralyn and Joshua went to a VBS program put on by a combination of churches.  It was really weird to take them somewhere and then leave.  Joel and I spent the mornings together during that week.  On the last day of the VBS, Joel and I watched their final "performance".  Jeralyn loves being up front, whereas Josh was acting shy when he saw me. He kept covering his face with his hands (second photo).  After lunch, a clown did a quick show.

My girl :: 6.4.17

I love having a daughter.  xoxo

Boys will be boys :: 5.31.17

I have a feeling I will have a lot of stories to tell someday about these two.  I can tell that Joshua *really* wants to wrestle with his brother, but Joel isn't ready...yet.  They have a lot of fun together and they both love playing with cars.

Sleepy Joel :: 5.30.17

And here I thought Joel was done with his morning nap.  Apparently not...

He is just so kissable!

O'Hara Campground :: Memorial Day Weekend 2017

We camped a couple of nights on the Selway River at the O'Hara Camgpround about 50 minutes away from Kamiah. The weather was perfect for camping (and swimming).  We bought a pop-up camper about a month before and had a trial run with it near Riggins, Idaho.  We are still getting used to having it and finding out how to make it work the best for us.

Quent and the kids played catch one evening.

 

Quent took the kids to the beach during Joel's afternoon nap.  The water was super cold (as I experienced the next day), so the kids played mostly in the sand.  They had a fun time.

After breakfast the first morning we were there, we went on a walk into the forest.

We went for a drive to see the waterfall and there were SO many butterflies.  I would say there were hundreds of butterflies.  It was amazing!  Jeralyn held this swallow-tail butterfly.

Sneaky feet :: 5.24.17

Joel likes to stick his feet up on the table sometimes when he's eating.  I tried to snap some photos of it...

Water & Fudgsicles :: 5.23.17

It was starting to heat up around the end of May.  I really enjoyed watching all of the signs of spring and seeing the leaves and blossoms pop out all over the place.  It's been a long time since I've been able to see so many deciduous trees bud and spread their leaves.  It was a treat!

We used our sandbox as a kiddie pool.  The kids enjoyed it!

We made some homemade fudgesicles and the kids enjoyed them outside on the deck. Yum, yum!