Hmmmph...

I'm working again for a few weeks, so my fun summer has been put on hold. Things I've learned lately...

1. I'm so glad this is my last time teaching on campus for a while. I hate leaving Mr. Henry and little Emma. Can't wait for this to be over (only 2 weeks left).

2. I have overscheduled myself with tutoring this summer. Not sure the extra money is worth the hassle. But I am ever so grateful for the blessing...

3. I need to schedule more fun into our lives. So, we are going camping on Thursday. Even if it is a little work to get us there. The three days of pure family time sounds so wonderful right now. Goodbye TV, computers & phones. Hello nature, peace & quiet. The weather is supposed to be beautiful, so we are headed to Camano Island for some much-needed relaxing time. We'll be returning with sand in every nook & cranny possible, and I can't wait.

Long Beach, WA

We just got home from spending the weekend at Long Beach with Uncle Pete, Aunt Becca, Zoey & Bugsy. We were so grateful for the invite and had a wonderful time hanging out and playing at the beach. Emma & Zoey even had a little sleepover in the same room, and it was Henry's first time visiting the Ocean. A little overcast, a little cold, but that's normal for Washington beaches. One day, Emma was running on the beach with her warm wool coat on. It was nice to get away for a few days and enjoy family time together.
Shane would build the castles, and then the girls would knock them down. We were lucky and there was a sand-castle competition that weekend, so we got to see some really amazing sand sculptures.

Beautiful & Happy Zoey

The Folkmans

Bugsy

On Saturday night, we traded babysitting and rented mopeds. I was super nervous having never ridden a motorcycle or anything like it, but we had a fun time. Shane says my average speed was probably 9 miles an hour. I did make it to 20 a couple of times, but I was scared to go that fast for too long.

Henry @ 4 months

16. 8 lbs

26.5 inches long

Happy, Healthy and he did great with his shots today. :) (I also got my adult pertussis vaccination/tetanus combo --dtap). He went to bed at 7:00 tonight and I'm hoping he'll sleep great. He's still up 3-4 times a night, and I wonder if I'll ever be able to sleep a full 7 hours again....

Love, Love, Love!!!

I've been reading this book and I really can't say enough about it. I LOVE IT! I'll be sad when it's done. Very charming characters and it sounds like an Idyllic group of friends. Very sweet. I highly recommend it.

Family Home Evening

Last night for FHE, we had a little lesson on taking care of each other. Then we gathered up some things to deliver to the DI trailer and went for a little drive. Shane picked out a new kind of cookie to try from our yummy cookie book.




While the cookies were baking, we read a few chapters from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It's the first chapter book that I decided to try with Emma. So far she has loved it!

The other day when I was reading the part about Charlie open the candy bar, and spotting a piece of gold, Emma jumped up on the bed and shouted, "The Golden TICKET! He found it!" I thought she might be a little too small to appreciate a read aloud book, but she absolutely loves it. Next on our list is Charlotte's Web.

We finished off the evening with our yummy Rocky Road cookie bars, and a late bedtime. It was a fun night. Henry even tried a bit of the cookies and he loved it, but he mostly just snacked on his own fingers...

Emma's Artwork

Last night, while doing laundry, I noticed some artwork that Emma had done in the hall by our washing machine. I was quite upset, as this is not the first artwork that Emma hs left around the house, luckily she was in bed already. Shane just laughed and grabbed the camera to document it.

If there was any doubt about who did it, she luckily signed her name on her work.

Cars & Corn Dogs

My brother Tom has had his old Nissan Maxima parked at my parents house--not working--for about a year and a half. Shane started tinkering with it this week and found that he could get it running, so we now have an extra car! We were looking to buy a car in the fall, but this will save us some money and last us a little while. We are so excited & thankful for it.

Shane and Emma spent one evening out working on it. Even Emma brought out her pink toolbox and all her tools to help. I helped by supplying corn dogs to eat.

Boating with Friends

Last night, the Nobles invited us out on their boat. It was so fun, especially since the weather was so HOT yesterday. Boating on the lake was the perfect way to cool off after Shane got home from work. They had this great tube, which had four reclining seats, so you got to just sit and relax while being pulled by the boat (unless Jeremy decided to go really fast). :) Emma had no fear, and when it was her turn with Shane, she jumped right on and then laughed and screamed the whole time. After she was back in the boat, she kept saying, "I want to go again!". She loved it! Henry slept for most of the first part, all bundled up in his life jacket.

After a while we stopped the boat and hung out for a while. We had pizza & snacks, and then swam off the boat in the middle of the lake. It was beautiful, and even Henry got in the water for a bit (he didn't like it at all--water a little cold). Shane was adventurous and tried a few back flips off the boat and Emma just kicked and played with her friend Maggie on their water noodles.

Thanks for the great evening Nobles and Nihipalis! We are grateful for good friends and the beautiful place that we live.

Brooke, Morgan & Shellee

Ready to Go!

Captain Jeremy

Henry, safe & sound all bundled up in the little life jacket.

Emma, Maggie, Leila & Shellee

"Look Mom, no Hands!"

All done & ready to go home....

The Fifth

I forgot my camera, but on Monday the Recklings hosted a BBQ at their
place and we went over for some delicious food and lots of good company.
My parents & Zoey came too, so it was a whole family affair! Yummy!
Emma had fun showing Zoey all her other grandma's toys! :)

Henry Laughing

Henry has started to laugh a little. While waiting for the fireworks, Uncle Luke got him to laugh quite a bit and I caught a little of it on video. I love his little screeches!

Rainy 4th of July

After church on Sunday and some good nap time, we gathered up our rain gear and prepared for an afternoon and evening of rain while we waited for the fireworks. When we got to Bellevue, we found a spot in the parking garage, where we thought would be the perfect spot to see the fireworks, and stay out of the rain. SO, we set up camp in the garage and talked, played games, and relaxed for a few hours. Eventually, mall security came and told us that they needed to clear the parking garage before the show started for the Fire department. At first we were a little peaved, but by then the rain had stopped, so we walked over to Downtown Park, and only had to wait a few minutes before the firework show began. Henry loved the fireworks, and wasn't scared at all. In fact, he almost acted a little bored after a while. The show was beautiful, and it wasn't too crowded. All in all a very fun evening. We are very grateful for our country and freedoms and definitely love celebrating with the community. :)