Swimming at the Spokane River

Summer is my favorite time of year because we don't have any therapies or schedule and can do whatever we want. I have a mental bucket list each year of must haves and so far we are about half way through.

We went down to the river, this spot was the little pullout on the way church. Brimhall's and Debois' joined us and even though the water was frigid from the spring runoff, it didn't stop the kids from enjoying themselves.

I was laying out on the hammock just watching the kids build sandcastles. It was past bedtime and we hadn't eaten dinner yet. The kids were playing well together and I just let them build castles and memories.

 

All About Dad

Lance had a lot to celebrate all in one week: barbershop show, Father's Day, and his birthday. This Daddy and husband sure make our world go round. He's our rock and our source of humor. He makes everybody's day so much better just being home. We love you, Lance!

The kids and I made a candy gram for Father's Day. We listed all the reasons we love Daddy.

Happy 41 rotations around the sun!!

Random Photos

Kimball had an idea to start a business mowing lawns for the neighbors. I told him it was an excellent idea except he needed to wait until he could mow the lawn 100% independently. He does well now but when he starts it I have to hold down the handle because his arm isn't long enough. He was pretty determined because the next time he mowed he was adamant that I was not to help him, not even starting it. I'm proud of him for keeping at it and helping me with this chore, he's such a good kid!

Donuts after cleaning the church

Cora can make some pretty big bubbles in the bath using soap.

A few days ago I was pushing Cora and Ezra on the saucer swing and they were pretty high, about 10' as high as the deck. The next thing I know, after I pushed them the swing just kept going and the kids tumbled to the ground. The cable broke. Poor Ezra got hit right between the eyes by the edge of the swing.

End of School Ceremonies

Since Cora isn't changing schools she didn't have any ceremonies. Ezra had his last school concert which was so cute.

Ezra got student of the month in June

Peace out, Kindergarten!

Kimball's school did a graduation ceremony for all the 5th graders moving onto middle school. He was awarded student of the month for the character trait integrity, which if I had to sum Kimball up in one word, integrity would be it. Very fitting.

Miss Wilhelm was such a great teacher for him this year, he's going to miss her.

Anxious for Summer

"Mom, the water touched my uvula!" - Kimball

Ezra is the most chiseled, muscular little 6 year old I ever did see.

The boys playing baseball in their underwear.

This is why you're not allowed to eat corn on the cob with braces.

Dinner around the fire tonight, yum.

 

Celebrating 18 years

For our anniversary we went to see Riverdance which was uh-ma-zing!!! I mean talk about a super fantastic show, wow! Then we had dinner at a Brazilian grill while it down poured outside. After dinner we still had an hour before we needed to get the babysitter home so I suggested we go back to the car to take a nap. That's exactly what we did and it was marvelous. Aaaaaaand that is the difference between 2 years of marriage and 18 years of marriage, lol.

 

Random Photos

Now this picture may not look like much but it was worth celebrating! The past month or so I've been on a mission to figure out why Cora is sick all the time. I mean, since January to present day, these last six months she has been sick with chronic respiratory and cold-like symptoms. In April she was on antibiotics for an ear infection and the antibiotics helped, but the cold like symptoms came back four days later. ANYWAY, I took her to the allergist who did a blood draw to see where her white blood cell count is at and I believe she was going to look into autoimmune deficiencies/diseases. (Still waiting for those test results).

I didn't tell Cora she had to get her blood drawn and I didn't want to have to wait another year+ to piggyback it onto a sedation. So we walked right into the lab, Cora sat in the chair, and completely cooperated! No yelling, no crying, no fits, no apprehension whatsoever!!! This has not happened in 9.5 years without sedation!!!!!!! I think the key was that I didn't tell her what to expect. If she heard the word blood or if I explained what was going to happen I knew she was freak out, so I didn't say anything. Wow. I'm still in shock she did it and of course we had to get a treat on the way home to celebrate!

Get it, girl! Nothing like strong arm muscles trying to stir rice krispies.

Ezra's first lost tooth!! He was so excited and wanted to keep his tooth so he could put it under his pillow again for more money. He certainly tried but it didn't work.

For Memorial Day we went to a field to play baseball as a family and fly kites. Ezra and Cora found a spigot and sure had fun splashing around. Then we had dinner with our neighbors.