Random Glimpses of July

 July finds Cory fishing with Benny and Danny. The boys earned their trip with good behavior...a good time was had by all. 

What? Great, big pockets but on the FRONT of the pants...like they would ride on your stomach. Things that make me go - hmmm.

Stacia saw this little size marker on the floor at Target...she immediately quipped, "Look, there's a small medium at large."

Millie is becoming quite the emotional support dog. If she finds me crying in the morning, she sits down and begins to bark...then she jumps in my face and tries to lick me. She's also known to act out big if one of the girls is having a panic attack...she knows how to get our attention. It's endearing and maddening at the same time. LOL 

I enjoyed a fun walk with Joelle and her kids along the river. 

Josi is a trickster. 

So slyly pulling sis's hair

 GG and I had fun driving out to Sutton with Krista to pick up Reno. Reno was determined to drive.

I was surprised to find traffic directed to detour to our driveway. LOL 

My guy!

I am being intentional to pick things NOW and eat them - rather than letting them grow and grow! 

It's salmon and salad season! Check it out - everything on my plate was grown or caught by us! 

Finally beat the birds to the strawberries! 

Stacia joined a couple of family friends for a hike up Hatcher's Pass! Enjoying the summer. 

 The chickens LOVE watching me weed the garden...could be the green they know they'll get. 

Jared wore out his boots walking through his district knocking on doors. I wonder if he'll wear out two pairs? 

Unexpected Meet ups!

Without a doubt the highlight of this "catch up at home" day was our unexpected meeting with Breanne and the kids in Wasilla.  I picked up meds, did a tiny bit of weeding, did laundry, put together and delivered a care package, checked on FAFSA's ....Allie worked and did some course work...Stacia ran Millie, met with a couple she is house-sitting for in the near future, dealt with a few college details, and ran across to Wasilla with me...Michael took care of some paperwork and began mowing the yard. Unfortunately, we sidetracked him with dinner, tomorrow will be full of appointments for him and the yard may look odd for the rest of the "summer." 

Bre sent these photos from the end of summer party at our local library. Check out this face painting - wow. This lady is good. They were the last ones at the party and got to take all the balloons home. Score!  I ran into them buying school supplies....yikes....school begins in two weeks. 

Gideon

Annie

Transporting those balloons is exciting. 

Trudy doesn't need face paint for it to be a party. 

Josiah - Jojo 

Bella

Gideon 

Just as Stacia and I pulled into the driveway I found out we WERE meeting for dinner with Nolan and Krista and the kids after all. Another unexpected meeting with adult children.  A HUGE group of about 20 ordered right before us...and the restaurant was out of bread, pesto and their grill didn't work....so we settled on pizza and calzone and a nice long visit. Life is good. 

GRACE NOTES
I am aware of the gracious gift of living in the same general area as adult children. It was such a joy to run into grands and Bre across town and to enjoy dinner with other adult children. 

I enjoyed sitting in a park-like setting and soaking in the peace and beauty while Stacia learned about her upcoming job.