Buddies.

These 3 boys belong to our friends, who also happen to be in our neighb.  We caught them today out on a walk & asked if we could join.  :)

Staying warm at a soccer game.

Dan.

Once again, this summer was filled with "HI DAN!", "Dan, can we deliver mail with you?", "Dan, can we sit in your mail truck for the millionth time?" "Dan, can we drive your mail truck again?" (don't ask - my lips are sealed...), "Dan, can we have this penny we found in your ashtray?" "Dan, here's another rock for your ashtray", "Dan, thanks for the special treats!" "Dan, can you eat lunch with us?"

Most neighborhoods know the mailman has arrived from the dogs barking or the gentle hum of their truck with mail doors squeaking opened & closed.  Our neighbors know he is here b/c of my kids greeting him from one block away.  "DAN'S HERE!!!!!!!!!"

We love Dan and feel blessed to have such a great guy paying us a visit each day.

Labor Day.

Today was a big day in our household... Lai had her first pedi AND she learned to ride a bike sans the training wheels.

In a skirt, no less... 

The cheering crew

They made a great team.  L maybe practiced 2 times this summer.  Tonight she decided she wanted to do it, and just went for it.  Atta girl!!!  

Rainbow theme.

We celebrated L's 5th birthday a few days ago with a rainbow party at the park.  This girl is a true gift form above.  We're so thankful for this ray of sunshine.  

Bye Mer!

While my kids were doing this:

I was doing this: (sniff sniff)

 You're looking at my very first MOPS table (minus sweet Jaime who wasn't able to make it & minus our mentor mom who was taking the shot...)

We all had one, one year old when we met & we each had a bun in the oven.  Out of my 4 years in MOPS, this was the table I still meet up with.  Sadly though, sweet Meredith is moving to AZ.  While we're so happy for her & her family - there will be such a void at our quarterly hangouts.

Happy 4th y'all!

Apparently the neighbs had a kid parade every year for years & years.  This hasn't happened since we moved here 5 years ago.  This year it was reinstated.  Lai could barely sleep the night before:  "Can you believe it mama, we are going to be in a real parade.  I've always dreamed of being in a parade."

Isn't this a great turn out?  This isn't even everyone.   

Miles (our buddy on the right) was a real show-stopper as he rode slow and gently handed out candy to on-lookers...

Selfies of my sillies & I:

Red, white & blue everywhere!  

Gram & Papa's for a BBQ:

Reading to Molly. 

First pop-its.  

Fun had by all.  

Thanks Gram & Papa!!!

Sweet peas over the years...

Without knowing it, L's grammy started a tradition when she gave her the first bouquet of sweet peas at age two:

2010

2011 

2012

2013

Family Day #2.

The fish are running!  Head down to the Locks to see massive amounts of salmon right now.  We did this on our Family Day today.  We love The Locks and feel so blessed to have it so close.  It's great/free entertainment.  The boats were beautiful, the day was warm and the fish were jumping like crazy!

Fish ladder. 

We could have watched the fish jumping all day long... 

...and the seals chowing down (Boo!).

Summer Family Day #1.

Summer's are busy for us.  J works a LOT, and with me working on most days that he's not working.  Well, we have decided to be intentional about having at least one family day a week.  We have them on the calendar and set aside the day (or most of the day) to be together to go out and DO something.

So, I now present to you Family Day #1 - Discovery Park hike:

If at first you don't succeed try, try again...

Birt boys.

Daddy daughty.