Lazy Days of Summer

Summer is coming to an end. It has been one of the best so far!! My memories of summer as a kid were going to the beach- ALOT! This past week we have gone to the beach twice and the Lagoon once. Whether the weather has been hot or over cast- it is always fun to put my feet in the sand, swim in the water (although FREEZING at the beach) and watch my boys have fun! There isn't much on this earth better than that!

Monday 8/23- Emerald Bay with Janice and Alexa Wade:

Alexa and Nathan boogey boarding

Nathan, Alexa & Jason

Melissa and Nathan- freezing in the water

Nathan making "sand" angels

Friday 8/27- Emerald Bay with Slevcove kids, Brestel kids, Grammy & Krusiewicz gang:

Cousins- Gracie and Kalika

Cousins- Nathan, Mike and Kalika

Best Buds- Christina and Melissa

Jason and Samuel running towards the water

Jason and Samuel- digging in the sand

Classroom Supply List

I thought it would be neat to have a record of a supply list for school. I get everything on the list, but as a friend reminds me "education is free and I am not obligated to get anything- the school has to supply it". Although that is true, with budget cuts I know how tight everything is so I want to make sure my kids bring what is required (or requested).

2nd Grade::

For the Student
Crayons -24 ct.
Colored Pencils - 12 ct. (2 boxes)
Fine Point Markers- 8 ct.
Thick Point Markers- 8 ct.
2 Packs Thin black white board markers
Glue Sticks- 12 ct.
Scissors
Pencil Box (5 X 13)
Yellow Highlighter- 2
Red Ballpoint Pen- 6
#2 Pencils- 3 packs (sharpened)
Pink Pearl Eraser-1
1 black Sharpie- ultra fine tip

For the Class to Share
2 boxes of baby wipes
1 gallon box of baggies
1 sandwich size box of baggies
1 package of copy paper

They would also like us to donate a gift card to a store (for future supplies) or a $20 cash donation to offset class costs. I didn't keep track of how much I spent, but I also had to buy some supplies for Jason. I am sure total (not including cash donations for each class) is around $50- YIKES!!

Jason's Art

Jason and Nathan have been at camp all week through Irvine. Nathan is at a Science camp and Jason at a Kid's Jr. Camp. They are both having the time of their life (and so am I).

Jason came home today with this priceless artwork! I just love how he draws the face, the long body and the little feet. His use of the pasta was impressive too! Ahhh, my sweet boy is growing up!!

Dan's New Space

Now that Ryan has left for school, it is Dan's turn to have a proper office. Dan has been sitting out in the garage for 5 1/2 years while we have lived in Irvine. He was also in the garage for 2 years when we lived in Capo Beach.

Dan's old "office" in the garage

Now, I will say that he has never complained about being in the garage. I think he has rather liked his own space out of the house where he can work, read the news and do emails. But it gets very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter so it was time to bring him into the house.

Ryan worked hard to clean out his room before leaving and we got rid of his old desk and chair to make room for Dan's new desk. A friend and I went to IKEA on Tuesday and we took our time figuring out which top would fit best in the room. Dan also requested that the desk be higher than normal. The only way to achieve this was to spend a little extra and buy adjustable legs.

We brought it home and built it and Dan loved it when he came home. He quickly moved the computer upstairs and started working away in his new space. It fits nicely with Ryan's bed and he will enjoy it too when he is home for holidays or summer.

Dan's new "office"

Ryan:: College Bound

This morning at 7am Ryan and Dan hit the road in Ryan's PT Cruiser and headed to Arizona State University. There is so much excitement for him and sadness for us. Don't get me wrong, we are super excited that he gets to go on this adventure and to see him change and grow, but we are really going to miss him. Nathan got a little teary-eyed last night when he said goodbye to his big brother. We probably won't see him till December (unless we go out to visit him sometime).

Ryan also reminded me that from now on, his vacations, holidays (everything) are his to decide what he does. For his whole life he has ping-ponged between his dad and mom's family. He has been so accommodating and gracious about it all, but I think he has had enough. We just pray that we will always matter enough that he will want to hang out with us!!

If you haven't seen Toy Story 3 you really must. For our family, the timing of this movie is so personal. Ryan was a kid when the first one came out and Andy was just a kid with his toys (Ryan really related to the toys having feelings). In this last movie, Andy has to decide what he is going to do with his toys as he goes off to college. Ryan too had to clean out his room, put stuff in the garage that will be saved for later or give stuff (mostly Lego) to his little brothers to use.

At the end of the film he drives off to college (alone, I might add). Well thankfully Ryan wasn't alone as he drove off to college, but it was still as poignant. Good luck Ryan- we love you!!

We love you Ryan and we pray that you do well, have fun and take every opportunity that comes your way!!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Tonight we joined our church group for our annual night of Angel's baseball. We had a group of 60 people of all ages. We sat near many families with children so the boys were in heaven walking around and talking to everyone (what baseball game?)

Dan and Ryan-
some bonding before Ryan leaves for college!

Ryan-Nathan-Jason they play hard, wrestle hard and love hard!

We watched the Friday Night Fireworks from our car- we missed this for 4th of July so it was nice to all be together and see a spectacular show. The Angels lost to the Toronto Blue Jays, but it was nice being together as a family (one last time) and being with friends whom we love.

Sharon and Peter Blyth-
dear friends who are visiting from England

Emma, Jason and Maddie- CHEESE!!

Beverly (my birthday buddy) and Julie

Fun with the Girls

Tonight I had the pleasure of hanging out with my girlfriends. After being with my kids for 18 days straight, it was nice to go out with my friends- good food and laughs!!

(left to right) Betsy, Sharon, Amy, Raquel, Melissa,
Margie, Cathi, Julie, Michelle, Kara and Lisa

These lovely ladies are my sweet friends from my church, Creekside Christian Fellowship. The boys and I have been attending CCF for 5 1/2 years and I have been so blessed to know these awesome ladies and their incredible families.

Julie and I loving our DQ!!

On The Road:: Day Thirteen

We left our friends yesterday and headed south to Clinton, WA. Clinton is located on Whidbey Island- a beautiful place in the Puget Sound. My uncle and aunt have a lovely home here - a retreat! My mom was waiting for us here and we are having a very relaxing time. We have been doing so much the past week that it was nice for us all to just sit and veg. The boys have been watching TV, I have napped and read and we have eaten great food.

I love being with my Mom

playing cards- much fun!

Aunt Mary and the boys!

On The Road: July 28- August 1

We have been in Birch Bay, Washington for a long weekend. We came up to see our friends the Fundaks. Nathan and Katelyn were preschool buddies and still call each other dear friends. Katelyn's little brother Adam is a favorite of Jason's too. We so enjoyed our time with the family and doing lots of fun things.

Nathan and Katelyn

The kids at the beach for a weenie roast

Enjoying the sunset!

The Kids are standing in Canada at Peace Arch Park

Wed: Arrival, walk on the beach at low tide (saw many crabs and sand dollars) and Weenie Roast on the Beach.
Thurs: Train Museum and Mindspot (a cool hands on Art Gallery) in Bellingham.
Friday: Blueberry picking and time at Miles of Smiles park in Lynden.
Saturday: Peace Arch Park and tour of Blaine.
Sunday: Drive to Deception Pass on Whidbey Island (to foggy to see anything)- Good bye to friends!