Quick Trip to Hermi

We did a quick trip to Hermiston this weekend for wedding #5 of our summer. Friday night we drove to Othello for a football game and then on to TriCities for an overnight. No one slept, but we managed to get into Hermiston in time for our visit with the Warners at Quinn's flag football game. We enjoyed time with them afterward and then went to Sharps' for lunch and play before it was time to go watch Carter's flag football performance. Whew! 

We then went to Quin and Lindsay's wedding.

It was chilly, but fun to see so many of our people there.

 Mitch ran up to Scott and told him he was cheering for the Yankees to win the wild card. Scott was thrilled...until Mitch finished with "so the Red Sox can beat them!". He definitely got the reaction he wanted! Shan and Scott used to have matching hair, but she's losing the length game now!

 It's great to get time with Marilyn at all these weddings!

 Of course seeing Lorry (and Erwin and Koko) is a major highlight. These three were nearly inseparable! Love to have so many people to love!

Now it's back to work and the month of October!

Pioneer Day!

The kids accompanied Grama A to the Grant County Museum for Pioneer Day and enjoyed the actors and experiences.

  Mitch wanted his photo taken with these rowdies so they armed him!

 They were also arrested. This was Mitchell's favorite part!

 Shannon, on the other hand, loved doing the laundry. This child loves chores!

Hard at work.

Then they did a reprise of the tree climb. Actually, I'm told they climbed several times. They also enjoyed a BBQ lunch on the grounds. Yay for bringing history alive!

Tall Timber

We spent our weekend in the great outdoors! Friday night was Ephrata's football home opener so Bryan stayed behind, but the kids and I drove up to Tall Timber for our church retreat. We shared a cabin with the Wisers and there was minimal sleep that night. However, there was still much fun to be had come Saturday!

 Bryan drove up Saturday afternoon after volleyball and soccer got underway and he made it just in time to watch the kids do some rock wall climbing.

 They both climbed several times and on different paths. Notice Mitchell's climbing Crocs...really sturdy footwear!

 This one suffers more from sleep deprivation but she rallied and did some good climbing of her own.

 Then Mitch and I did the zip line. The most difficult part was climbing the tree!

 I love this stuff!

 Mitch worked hard to get up the tree and was very brave in his take off, wasting no time taking the leap.

 He hung on for his whole ride but seemed to like it nonetheless.

 He's ready to go again next year!

 We also showed Bryan the White River and the kids decided to jump in.

 High pitched shrieking was the result!

She could not get to her towel quickly enough! We enjoyed ourselves - and are eager to sleep in our own beds tonight!

Labor Day Weekend

We divided and conquered this weekend as I went south and BJ and the kids went north. 

I drove to Portland on Friday and then continued to Silver Falls State Park with Nina on Saturday to celebrate our most recent Pio wedding. We had 9 of our 11 gals present and most families, too. It was great to spend time together!

Trying to get a group shot...

We have known each other for 18 years now. Such a great group of women!

Meanwhile, Bryan and the kids went north to Lake Pierre for an altered version of the Lake House tradition. The weather was hot and the water cold; swimming was still very much enjoyed!

There was lots of fishing, too, both on the dock and from the boat. They even caught some!

The newest joy was being old enough and brave enough to go off the rope swing! Both kiddos loved it!

As did their father! The skies were smoky - this needs to stop being 'normal'.

Dave and Vicki got to have an actual bedroom for the first time since there were just the five of these guys at the cabin. 

S'mores at the fire is a must.

The kids got to feed to horse, see turtles, and get lots of time with grandparents.

Bryan was a trooper making the drive and solo parenting. We have loved the Lake House but look forward to a location with more space and somewhat closer in the years to come!

Happy Labor Day weekend!

Shannon Started Kindergarten!

Shannon started kindergarten today with great enthusiasm!

She is excited about her teacher, Ms. Watson, excited about getting to walk from her Dad's office in the mornings with her brother and just very happy and ready.

What a delightful difference from last fall!

At day's end, she was still smiling! Her friend Cora is in her class and she had a wonderful day! Huzzah for kinder and our budding reader!!!