The fall summer day

We had a lovely day with 60 degree temps and rain. There's something about having a rainy day when you rarely get them that makes them special. DeA and Jensley thought it was time for a fire even though we are still in summer.

With Rissa and Javi staying down at fair, Sofia and Luca have been spending a lot of time with Nama and Hampa. She learned how to build a giant tower.

But, her favorite part was knocking it all over.

It's funny what a teenage boy will let a girl do to his hair.

It made it very very puffy when he took it out.

His hair did the Mugatu very well.

I got to take the little farters to school one morning, it was fun to walk Luca into pre-school and see him pretend to get shy.

We had a youth activity at our house. They had to make a fire with one match that could burn a string 18" above it. They had to procure their own wood. Ryker said he was never taught how to work a saw and I'm not sure that someone should need to be taught to use a saw.

Some of the boys cheated with dry grass, and the girls unfortunately proved why some stereotypes exist.

Usually activities seem fun in your head, but don't quite work out that way. This one was more fun than either DeA or I expected.

Maybe it was the edge from knowing that the fires are still illegal that made it seem even more exciting.

It was a beautiful evening, so that definitely helped make it seem more awesome.

The hot dogs and s'mores helped too.

 

Jensley Plays Volleyball

Jensley has played in two volleyball matches so far and has done great in both. She has hit the ball,

Set the ball

hit the ball some more,

And blocked the ball (tipped it I guess would be the more accurate description). She is currently on JV and is loving it, especially now that practices aren't at 6:30 am.

 

Birch Bay Anniversary Week

DeA has put up with me for 21 years. To reward her perseverance, we went on a week trip to Birch Bay. Why Birch Bay? Because it is only 20 minutes from Chocolate Necessities, the "best chocolate place ever" according to DeA. We got there on Sunday evening, and after unpacking we went for a walk to stretch our legs.

It was a relaxing week with few plans and lots of down time. 

And walks, lots and lots of walks by the beach with pretty sunsets and beautiful DeAndra.

Oh, and ice cream. There was a little bit of ice cream.

We drove up to Canada one day to do a temple session in the Vancouver (Langley) Temple. DeA was impressed with how quiet the temple seemed.

Chocolate was a major theme of this trip, and a main reason for the destination. Costco sells chocolate chips in Canada that aren't available in the States.

"I texted the group that the temple was quieter than Moses Lake so that your dad will tell the old guys there to be quieter. You know it's a problem when your dad is the quiet one"

Burger with a side of poutine, I never want to hear other countries tell me that the US is the unhealthy one.

This was the first restaurant that we visited with the kids that began their obsession with Ricky's All Day Grill.

More walks

I like walks with Schnoogies.

And another walk.

This was from an almost six mile walk through the state park. It was fun.

DeA randomly decided that she wanted coconut shrimp for dinner. She gags when trying to eat fish sticks or fish and chips, but wanted shrimp. We found a great little food truck up in the marina in Blain and she ate about 2 coconut shrimps, so I'm still not sure if she really liked them or not.

Many of our walks were so long that they ended up being night walks.

I read a lot and she did a lot of whatever this little gem art thing is called.

A lunch at Cafe Rio on the way home seemed to be the right way to end the trip. 

 

Teenagers showing their mom love

There are few things that I cherish as much as family prayers with everyone together. The kids cannot help but antagonize and tease DeA and she loves every second of it.

She bonked her noggin' and has quite the goose egg.

She said it looks like a Klingon from "Star Wars"

We finally had a lazy Saturday and DeA and Jens enjoyed a slow morning. Eventually we got down to the basement to work out.

Jens has been worn out with early volleyball practices and did not make it down to the basement.

They love showing DeA memes and trying to figure out if she laughs because she understands them or if she laughs so that they will think she understands them.