Straight from the garden. Their mommy plants and tends an amazing garden.
We were able to see these two on Sunday afternoon. So good to have them run to us with open arms and lots of hugs. As we leave they run along the fence line following our car and we yell our goodbyes to each other. They are safe on the inside of the fence and our car goes along the drive on the other side of the fence. Fun traditions.
Adios to August!
Photo from last August. These two have grown so much in a year.
On August days when the skies cleared of smoke Addy and JJ enjoyed activities outside. They are really mastering their bicycle skills.
Our daughter-in-law and four of our nieces enjoyed several days in Maui celebrating Melissa’s 40th birthday in style. She’s a beach girl through and through so this was an appropriate destination for the celebration. An amazing ‘cousin’ time.
Addy’s week of VBS culminated with a short program Friday night for parents and Addy thinks that VBS was great!
Our daughter Katie and Andrew were in New York over this past weekend for the wedding of one of Andrew’s Marine buddies. Andrew was in the wedding. This wedding was supposed to happen a while back but then the you know what postponed it. They had a wonderful time celebrating outside of Albany, New York.
My last follow-up cataract appointment is on Tuesday. I’m looking forward to ordering some glasses on that day. The other thing we are looking forward to on Tuesday is a major cooling down and some rain in the forecast, too. Hoping for clear skies on Wednesday with some new fires getting contained.
What does your week look like?
The whole verse from Psalm 84:11 + verse 12 reads;
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
The month in-between summer and fall is upon us. Here’s hoping for fires to be put out, for some rain, for clear skies again.
Josh flew out to visit the middle of last week and both our sons enjoyed 18 holes of golf together.
We enjoyed some meals all together and Addy and JJ enjoyed every minute they had with Uncle Joshie.
Our garlic dried nicely hanging in the shop and it was time to clean them up on Saturday and share some of the bulbs with friends and family.
Hope your August is starting well.
Big Wheels are celebrating their 50th anniversary and we decided it would be fun to order one for each of our grands. It was a labor of love to put them together. Dear did most of the labor. I helped with the stickers.
Fun times for years to come.
Addy and JJ on July 29th Twenty Twenty One.
Have a good Friday and weekend everyone!
Swimming lessons started this week and Addy has graduated up from the pollywogs which involves a parent to the next level. She’s getting braver everyday and is letting go of the wall. JJ is in daddy’s arms the whole time so that makes things easier.
Here the grands are doing their best impersonations of what strength and being brave looks like to encourage their Uncle Joshie with a tough task. Love all these expressions and the two different boots on JJ’s feet.
Do you need encouragement?
Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
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.
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.
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.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 