Summer Play Challenge Continues

The Summer Play Challenge continued today. We headed for China Beach pool today. This one is on the base. I took some wonderful pictures, unfortunately there was no memory card in the camera. When it's so bright outside you can't see the screen anyway so I didn't notice the "no memory card" notice....when I did I came up with a wonderful conspiracy theory. ::snort:: I KNOW - Mom and Mike will laugh because I'm known for spinning stories....but I was sure the card was in the camera. I had placed it in the case on the poolside table. I was sure some member of our Air Force family had taken the camera, took the card, put the camera back into the case and then left. It saddened me greatly that they'd be so strapped for $ that they'd steal a $20 memory card. I got home and found the memory card in the computer.

China Beach is GREAT for little kids. Jared came with us AGAIN today - we are getting spoiled. This pool is 4 feet deep at it's DEEPEST. It's bigger than the kiddy pool at the lake. It has two big play structures....one shaped like a mushroom that continuously sprays water and then a tower with buckets that fill and dump on you. I'm tellin ya the photos were awesome, y'all.

We were sad that the friends we planned on playing with couldn't make it. BUT we were blessed that Mary and Deja and their children were at the pool. Everyone had someone to play with. The only drawback is that there is no shade over this pool. After two days in the sun, we're all a bit crispy. We'll have to think of something else to do tomorrow.

Summer Reading Challenge GIVEAWAY

Speaking of personalities (post below), Jen had really COOL numbers when HER son drew their winner for comments. I was thrilled just to have a few of you entering.

This week's Giveaway winners are ::::drumroll:::

For *Midwives* ("but Mom, there's only one paper!" "Just draw it out and make it look good, will ya???)ThoughtfulMom wins Midwives. Renee in Germany wins *The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency*.

Ladies, please send me your addresses and I'll get these books mailed out by the end of the week.

Check back Saturday for this week's giveaway.

Nicholas' Comment:

OK - for those who are new to the blog, Nicholas is courting our daughter Krista. Put all minds at ease, I will NOT be sharing their personal business with all y'all....but Nicholas left this comment the other day and it's too good to be buried down the line where no one will ever see it. Is that fair enough? I told Krista when we read this we laughed, snorted, and cried. I continue to smile every time I think about it.

Nicholas is currently looking for a job and will be starting Bible College in the fall. For those who are prayer warriors on behalf of our family - please add him to your list.

So what makes me snort and smile? What made Mike laugh so hard his eyes watered?

The Comment:
"So for all you who are praying thank you very much. That is a blessing and encouragement.

Also, no, there wasn't anyone there to take a picture of me. Thank the Lord for that cuz I was scared out of my mind. (OK here it comes). The funny thing is he (Mike) had a check list and I typed up two pages of questions with answers! (::snort::) Us melancholy people we just like to be prepared."

What a hoot! Krista tells me that Mike didn't ask ONE of Nicholas' questions. Save them Nicholas, it would be fun to read your list someday and someday you can use your list to grill YOUR daughters callers. Maybe this will only be funny to those of you who are married to those with melancholic temperaments. I found it hilarious. I'm the type that would pick up the phone, chat about whatever popped into my head, and then make the list as I went. ::snort::

Bob, The Sandcastle or Summer Play Challenge

Quote of the Day: If a man wants to kiss his mom, HE CAN! (Ahhhhh)

I should have warned y'all that this week is our PLAY challenge week. We've spent two weeks organizing and working and I realized that the summer was passing us by.

Yesterday, I did lunch with a friend and then had planned to go to the pool, but the day got away from us.

Today:

Bright and early (the ONLY time to do the park in the summertime around here) we met Deja and children at a local park. We were really happy that Jared chose to play today with us instead of mowing lawns! Yippee!

The boys (not sure how I missed Zander and Everson)

The girls

"Bob" the Sandcastle....

...and the Architects of Bob

Arielle and Emma

The adventure of the children having the old point and shoot digital is that THEY can surprise mom with pictures.

De'Etta and Deja

Ah - here's a better view! Deja is a good sport to go out in the sun 3 weeks from her due date...or is it two weeks???? Hmmm...this is almost enough to make me learn how to use that blur feature Kristine uses....how come we can't look as adorable as our daughters???????

When the sun got HOT; we parted ways. Deja to the really big Super Walmart and the children and I? Home to lunch. I ran Jared and Jamin to the bank AGAIN while the youngers were eating lunch. We had tried yesterday to start accounts for them. Today we discovered that Jared cannot have an account - they didn't realize he was only 13. He also can't have a CD. Jamin CAN have an account - he's 16 - but he needs more ID. The 3rd time's the charm....we'll try then.

After lunch we headed to the pool out at the lake. Remember all the time I spent trying to find a MODEST suit for this gal? If she'd quit growing, it would've worked. I need to go shopping again! Or maybe just live with this for the rest of the summer. LOL

Stacia learned a new trick that she was very proud of. She figured how to hold herself and tread water so that she could float in the pool WITHOUT any help, thank you very much! ::snort::

Note the blob at the bottom right corner of this photo - he's moving in for the kill

Lest you think we are always a loving and harmonious family - check out these candid photos - that is NOT her hand at the back of her head....and she went UNDER as soon as I clicked this....

And who are these two names squabbling young 'uns?

It WAS all in fun!

Jamin spent the afternoon at the library researching the fantasy market, writer's agents etc. I picked him up and we went to get Mike. The three of us grabbed dinner and chatted about writer's conferences and agents and getting published...and whatever else entered our minds. Then we went and hitched up our pop up for the last time. We brought it home and it will be heading off downt he road to ID next week. LOL

A familiar - if rowdy - sight....

Monday.....Today...

I've been asked to bring back the "quote of the day" feature. We've been having a LOT of "if a man" quotes. I can't share many of them if I want to keep an "R" rating on the blog. LOL

Here we go: quote of the day: "If a man wants to fold a towel he'll do it the way he wants to" - translates to a ball instead of 1/3's. Mike informed the "young man" that while he's living here he'll fold it the way "a woman" wants it folded. ::snort::

I made 10 phone calls today. That's a great thing for me to have accomplished - because I'm no good on the phone.

Lunch with Heather - thanks Heather, I had a lot of fun.

Back home and two more calls.

Got a Shop Natural Co-op split email out.

The boys filled out student profiles for Worldview Academy.

Jamin filled out the application for Parent Led Driver's Ed.

I talked with Krista - what fun! I love those girls! Zander has been saying all day that we need to go get BreAnne and Krista! My two sister friends both had their children leave home this weekend....one's son joined the Marines and the other's daughter got married.....Wow - where has time gone? Funny how these babies keep aging and *I* still look 29...give or take a few years! ::snort::

Josiah took Jamin to work.

I cooked dinner: Salmon, chicken, steamed veggies, salad, fruit platter

We tried to go swimming but it kept thundering off and on all day.....and I smiled all day thinking of Becky's news!!! I'm going to call you - and you KNOW that means I'm excited!

Sunday Scenes

Too busy for details....

Stacia is our dumpster diver....I've yet to catch a photo of her in action....but she obviously considers the garbage can to be her personal buffet. I have to REALLY watch her.....she WAS grabbing lettuce out to eat....I ran for the camera, returned, and she was peeling a carrot......I did NOT use this carrot in the salad that I took to the potluck....and the lettuce is in the trash because the garage fridge FROZE IT!ARGH.

Mike (rt) and Marty are chaplains....Mandy is well....a chaplain's spouse! ::snort::

Stacia during worship

More photos to follow if permission to post minor's photos is given. LOL