Category Archives: Addyson May

Water Fun

We bought this inflatable pool from Wal-Mart during our one hundred degree + temps and last week when the Colville kids came for dinner we had the Grands try it out.

The air was hot the well water was cold.

It took awhile for sister to make the commitment to step all the way in. They came out to warm up wrapped in a towel and then they would head back in for more cold fun.

The next day at the river they had more water fun.

We kept the pool up and inflated with water in it just in case the deer could use a drink and today we spied one drinking for a long while. I’ll share some deer photos on another day.

Addy and JJ started swimming lessons on Monday at the city pool.

The Fourth of July 2021

Looking back at our 4th of July celebrations starting with July of 2020.

2020

2019

Addy 2018 in her 4th of July dress. I think Auntie Katie bought this for her.

2018 (we were out of our Kenmore home and waiting to move to our Colville home)

2017 in Kenmore

2016 below

Next are photos from 2013…

2013 (I’m missing my photos from 2015 on this computer. In 2014 Dear and I were in England on the 4th of July)

On to earlier years…

Above from 2011

Above and the next few below from 2009.

Hopefully in 2022 we’ll be all decked out for another memorable 4th of July celebration.

Stars and Stripes Hodgepodge

Time to celebrate the Hodgepodge again. Jo From This Side of the Pond asks the questions and we ponder them for answers.

1. It’s been said the best things in life are free…are they?

There has been a price that has been paid for the best things in life like salvation in Jesus Christ.  We didn’t have to pay for that but Christ did and our new life in Him costs us. “Take up your cross daily and follow Him.” When we are faithful and obedient to the Word of God there will be a price to pay.

On a National note there is a cost that has been paid for our freedom. It is good to be free but we can’t forget to be grateful for the sacrifices made for our freedom.

What are some of those things? The Free Things…

*There are good things that are free like hugs, a sunset, smiles, lovely views, etc. etc.

2. Stars or stripes?
Mostly stars but I do enjoy stripes, too.
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Red, white, or blue?
How about all three…
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Apple pie or home made ice cream?
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I do enjoy ice cream but unfortunately it doesn’t like me anymore so I’ll go with apple pie!
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Do you like hotdogs?
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Yes, give me a good Hebrew National Hot Dog, Nathan’s or better yet a Chicago Dog!
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I love a good Chicago dog (see above) and all the things they put on it but can’t get one of those locally, sigh.
If so, what do you like on yours?
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I enjoy hot dog relish on mine. Side note: Hot dog relish has been scarce in my area grocery stores.
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3. One thing on your summer bucket list?
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To make it to the “Coast” for some visits.
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Any plans to make it happen soon?
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No…people are way too busy right now.
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4. What’s your summer anthem? Yes, you need to have one
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A few came to mind like Summer in the City and Schools Out for the Summer but since I don’t live in the city and I’m not in school anymore I’ll go with, You Are My Sunshine.
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5. What’s something you love about America? If you live outside of America, tell us something you love about the place you call home.
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So much to love about America if you ignore the crazy politics going on and the absurd redefinition of basic biology.
I love how you can travel from shore to shore, north and south and see so many different topographies and enjoy small and large towns, seashores and deserts, mountains and plains, regional dishes, amazing architecture, historical sites, iconic landmarks, etc. etc.
*
We are in the middle of planning a road trip from Washington State to North Carolina for a wedding in early October. So far some of the diversions along the highways we will travel will be Deadwood, Mt. Rushmore, Wall, Badlands, The Ark Encounter, Kentucky Bourbon Trail, A Shaker Village, Pigeon Forge, and Asheville. After the wedding, Lord willing, we plan to journey to Dallas to visit my brother’s family. We’ll go through Nashville and Memphis on our way to Dallas. From Dallas home we are waiting to see weather patterns before we make those plans.
*
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Hope you all have a good 4th of July weekend here in the States and to our Canadian neighbors, Happy Canada Day on the 1st.

Love One Another…

Uncle Joshie joined Auntie Lolo who was already in Colville for Father’s Day weekend. Addy and JJ were delighted to see him and spend time with him. Their daddy was away because of work and they really missed him. Uncle Joshie was a nice diversion.

Josh flew back home on Father’s Day. Auntie Lolo drove back home on the day of my cataract surgery. Before Lolo left she captured a lot of photos. Thank you Lolo and Joshie for all your help and love!

Collecting the eggs and enjoying garden delights picked fresh!

Addy and JJ’s daddy came home on Thursday the 24th of June and their little family is together again much to everyone’s relief.

The news around our region is the heat! We are above 100 degrees with predictions of temps getting as high as 114. Yikes. That means fire danger, too. We are more appreciative of our cooling possibilities. We are watering early in the morning and have blinds closed and curtains drawn during the day. The birds are enjoying our watering. We hope to get to more normal summertime temps in a week.

Under the Sea

Auntie LoLo came back for another week on Wednesday June 16th. Addy and JJ were happy to see her again.

On Friday a trip to Spokane to visit the small aquarium was in order.

JJ had no fear in touching some of the sea creatures but Addy decided against it.

So much to see under the sea!

Back home and the day was just right for bubbles!

So thankful that Auntie LoLo catches such great moments with her phone!

Late on Friday night Uncle Joshie flew in for Father’s Day Weekend. More photos to share from that time soon.

Things are going well with my recovery from Cataract Surgery.

For the month of June I’ve been reading the book of Romans in the Bible.

Romans 12:9-13

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Mid Week Fun

There’s no Wednesday Hodgepodge this week so I’m doing a catch up post with more photos from our fun on Friday the 4th of June.

We managed to do some weeding yesterday before things heat up again. We took out a plant that was not kid friendly, very prickly.

Our temps are heading up to the upper 80’s and onwards to the low 90’s next week so we’ll enjoy water play again when the littles come over. I bought two more of these water pumps from the Dollar Store so the adults can get into the fun, too. Our daughter in law arrives again today from the Coast to spend another week with us and with our Colville kids. Our son will fly in for the weekend. The grands will be excited to see Auntie Lolo and Uncle Joshie and we all enjoy our time with them on this side of the Cascades!

The Windmill

This windmill in our back yard was here when we moved in. The windmill served to aerate the pond. Since we don’t need it anymore we sold it to a friend of ours who is putting in a pond on her property. Last Thursday was moving day for the windmill.

The discussions began on how to best lower the windmill safely. Thankfully the windmill was installed on hinges so it could be lowered using the hinges.

 

Down safely and now to disconnect the fan from the base.

Loaded in the truck and trailer.

Now to remove the anchor pipes. All was completed and Cindy and her windmill went off down the road to her property.

Our friends who came to help brought their puppy with them. Addy and JJ weren’t sure about her but they managed to feed her from their palms.

Time to pull out more water toys for the summer. The kids kept busy with water while the helpers gingerly lowered the Windmill.

We are moving into another mini heat wave here in our corner of the world. It will be a good time for running through sprinklers!

We are fortunate at our property to share a well that is a high producer of water. Some people aren’t as fortunate.

Here in the U.S.A. we are celebrating Flag Day today. Happy Flag Day! Our flag is waving.

Moving Up Hodgepodge

My parents, sister and nieces were some of the first visitors we had in Washington State after our move in 1988.

Thank you to Jo From This Side of the Pond for coming up with the Wednesday Hodgepodge questions each week.

1. Something you’ve seen recently that’s ‘cuter than a June bug’?

Our little grands wrapped up like burritos.

2. Tell us something about where you were and what you were doing in June of 1988? If you weren’t born yet, June of 1998. Or if that doesn’t work, June of 2008. 

In June of 1988 we were getting ready for a major move from Ventura, California to Bothell, Washington. A huge life change for all of us. We were packing up our stuff and all of my mother-in-law’s stuff as she was moving up with us. Dear was accepted to the University of Washington to study and pursue a new career as a Pharmacist. Our kids were 9, 7 and 2-1/2. Dear had been working as a Frontend Loader operator in a quarry before he was encouraged to pursue this new career. We are thankful to God for all this decision afforded our family. It was a wonderful choice all around and we never regretted it. Our kids got a whole new education in moving from Southern California to a state with 4 distinct seasons! Experiencing snow right in our front yard was such a treat for these three!

3. A place in your home or outdoor space where you feel ‘snug as a bug in a rug’? 

Inside it has to be my bed and especially when there are no big plans for the following day. Outside my snug as a bug in a rug spot is on my riding lawnmower with my headphones listening to my favorite preacher.

4. June is National Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Month. 

Do you normally get your 4-5 servings each day?

To get 4-5 servings per day we’d need to buy those green and red bottles of processed vegetables and fruits.

What’s a favorite summer dish you make/serve/like to be served-ha! made with one of your favorite summer fruits.

My favorite summer fruit are nectarines and I like them just as they are. I’d like to be served a fresh peach pie with flaky crust please.

A favorite summer dish made with a favorite summer veg?

Corn on the Cob!

How do you feel about cooking in the summer months? 

I feel Dear should do the majority of cooking outside on his Traeger in the summer months.

5. Do you have a summer reading list? If so share a title or two we can add to our own. 

I do not have a summer reading list. I read the Bible everyday and some of Spurgeon’s writings, too. If I was going to have a summer reading list I’d re-read some books by Elizabeth Goudge like The Dean’s Watch.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I had my initial appointment with the surgeon for my cataract surgery and I’ll know some dates as soon as the surgery scheduling people call me. The decision I need to make is whether I want the monofocal fix, that Medicare covers, or the multiple corrective zones. We’d have to put up some big bucks for the full meal deal but we are leaning that way after talking with people who didn’t make that choice and regret it.

The Grandkids’ Mountain

When Uncle Joshie and Auntie Lolo come to town we have lots of great photos to share. Auntie Lolo knows how to capture the moments.

Saturday June 5th. Time to feed the chickens and check out the garden.

Take in the view before bedtime. Josh had to fly home on Sunday but Auntie Lolo is staying on till Friday.

Today Tuesday June 8th I’ll have my consult about my cataract surgery coming up soon. I should know after my appointment when my procedure will take place. I’m looking forward to better eyesight in the near future.

Dollar Store For the Win!

On Friday Josh and Laura arrived from the ‘Coast’ and when the littles woke up from their nap their mommy drove them over for dinner. We enjoyed a slow cooked brisket with all the fixins and watermelon plus brownies for dessert. It was a hot day and the evening was perfect for some fun with water. I bought some water launchers and bubble guns from the Dollar Store earlier in the day and they proved to provide so much fun. Uncle Josh was a good sport and joined in the water fun. Uncle Joshie, Addy and JJ were soaked by the time the fun was over.

Time for wrap the grands like a burrito to dry them off and warm them up before the ride home for nighty night.