backyard

We've been enjoying the heat ... still. Yesterday we decided to stay home and play in the pool. We enjoyed our visitors - Mackenzie and Davis. They moved in the spring and came back last week for a visit. I finally got my trees planted ... with Jodi's help to dig the holes. She brought her sharpened spade and edger which made it a little easier to cut through the sod. Now if only our contractors would come through with the fence and deck. Hope we're still here in 15 years to really enjoy our yard ... and shade!

beach bums

Seems like this is all we've done this summer. Between the cabin and the local beach we've had lots of fun in the sun, and I'm not complaining!

nephew/cousin

Here is the darling Daudi from across the ocean. Sure wish we could give him a hug and a few kisses!

our "new" family picture

Well, it is finally on the wall after almost four months! Does anyone recognize Rhett? This was the stage when he refused to smile!

five years old

According to Samara she can now do lots of things she couldn't do when she was four! She was keen on "babysitting" her brothers and helping around the house for a few days, but that has passed! We had a party on Saturday ... and it was HOT but FUN! She got some new clothes ... which mom thought was great, and she got lots of fairy toys (must be the in thing at the moment). And, I have avoided buying Polly Pockets but alas, she received two packages, so now I'm picking up shoes, shampoo bottles, hangers and curlers the size of Rhett's fingernails! On the bright side they are great for fine motor development!

at the fair

The kids saw the fair was in town and that's all they talked about the next day. So, we decided to take them. It wasn't like the good old days of going on the craziest rides possible. I tried to take them on the little dragon roller coaster and they freaked out. The guy stopped the ride and let us off! The train was more Keithan's style!

grandmas and grandpa

The kids were lucky to have 2 sets of grandparents at convention and one great grandma! I think they all would agree the kids played them out a little (and mom). I lost track of Keithan one afternoon for over an hour.

convention

We had a wonderful convention at Greenshields this year. I wondered how it would turn out after 36 degrees on Thursday. None of the kids would sit still - probably didn't want to sit in a pool of sweat! Anyway it cooled down and the kids did very well overall. Samara had a "pretend birthday" on Saturday evening, as her "real birthday" was the following Monday. She invited quite a few kids I guess ... but thank goodness only a few came! Was kind of tight in the trailer and we only had a few cupcakes!

happy canada day

Samara was upset she forgot to wear her Canada Day shirt ... but someone gave her a flag so she was pleased about that!

a new auntie

For the few who haven't heard ... I'm pleased to announce that I am an auntie! Jarvis and Alyson had a baby boy on Wednesday night - Daudi Lucus Olsen. He's very cute ... but I don't have a photo to attach at this point. Trust me on the cuteness. Sure wish we didn't live half way around the world.

ice-cream

an hour at the beach

We've had so much rain that the few hours of sunshine we've had recently feel heavenly. We went to the beach ... as did everyone else in town it seemed! The kids had FUN.