Summer Wrap-Up

In my mind, it hasn't been more than a few weeks since I last updated this bog, but that it how the year seems to be going! What do you mean it's nearly December? Ack!

Here is a wrap-up of some of our summer happenings:

We enjoyed long walks, playing in the yard and swimming with friends.

Allison attended summer camp for the first time! (What? When did she get old enough for that?!)

Abby missed Allison considerably and I found her, one morning, making this during breakfast.

Chris learned to ride a unicycle.

All the kids got the chance to ride a horse!

We drove all the way up to Mount St. Helens...only for it to be completely fogged in by the time we reached the top! It was still a fun trip and we were able to get some views of the valley on the way back down.

Chris and I celebrated our anniversary in European style - cheeses, meats, bread and chocolate. :)

Summer Fun

This young buck decided to pay our driveway a visit one afternoon. (Sorry about the window screen!)

We've gone on some great drives and hikes this summer.

There's a lot of beautiful nature around here!

Allison has been taking a Google-Maker class at the library once a week. She's made some really fun things, like a Heron's Fountain...

and a keyboard out of bananas!

More walks - the grass is getting drier.

The kids have really enjoyed having misters above the trampoline to cool things down.

While David was having fun with grandpa and grandma, Chris and I took the girls to the beach!

Abby's Birthday

Abby decided she'd like a Lego Friends birthday party, so I set to work coming up with ideas! She really enjoyed her party and so did her friends. :)

Spring Time

Allison got her braces off - for the last time!

Before

After

We discovered frogs in the seasonal creek.

My little niece is growing and growing! (Okay, so she was a little grumpy in this picture!)

Thanks to my mom, I had the opportunity to paint for the first time in years.

Allison is starting to look so old!

We visited a local "farm" and where we saw some zebras and fed a camel.

We've enjoyed some beautiful walks this year! It's such a blessing to live where we can just head down the driveway and are already out in the country.

David enjoys driving his "truck" all around.

Abby is getting better at riding her new bike!

The girls played their piano recital pieces very well.

Chris and I were able to collect a lot of lumber for firewood this year.

As an end-of-the-school-year treat, we went ice skating with a group of other homeschoolers!

Dear friends came to visit!

The dads were amazing and built a swing set!

Everyone looking excitedly out the window...

as the guys lift the swing set up and into place.

I moved the sandbox from here (where the kids had to sit in dirt to play in it)...

to here!