5th Grade Promotion

Mason successfully made it through elementary school and is moving on to middle school.  So proud of his willing attitude, cheerful heart, and capable mind.  Can't wait to see what is next!

Mason and Mrs. Mansour-a great teacher for the last two years.  She described it is "interesting".

Mason and Elias-his first and lasting friend!

Proud Daddy!

Proud Mommy!

Great job Sweet Pea!

Tillicum Beach

We weren't sure what to expect when the website claimed the camping site had ocean views but it did not disappoint.  

Ocean views and beach access, flushing toilets and running water, plenty of drift wood for big fires, and a wet suit for the cold Oregon ocean made a perfect Memorial Day camping weekend.

We are so excited for Summer!

Tanner made perfection on a stick (biscuits), Mason braved the waves and had a Sea Otter encounter while doing so and Starr enjoyed running free up and down the coast.  A perfect weekend!

Christmas 2014

I approached Christmas this year with a bit of trepidation...really our first Christmas alone.  Last year we had Lucy and her family but this year it was just us.  

I had no need to be worried.  We had a wonderful Christmas with just us.  Yummy turkey dinner and all the fixings, lots of Christmas carols and wrong notes on the piano, inspirational Christmas stories, Luke 2, presents, lots of "made for TV movies", a little basketball, a few naps, and no snow.

Practically perfect in every way🎄

Turkey dinner

Family selfie

The boys didn't need pj's so they got something else for sleep-memory foam mattress toppers.

Grandma and Grandpa surprised both boys with rolls of money...it just kept coming.

Tanner wanted a black and white sweatshirt.  He told us this wasn't what he meant😉

Joe got a warm new robe 🔥

Starr got a new bed

Merry Christmas and on to 2015!

Grass

It hadn't been easy, and it isn't over yet, but we have grass.  As we speak, Tanner and Joe are playing catch on our new lawn.  Starr is lounging.  I am smiling.

Grass.  Still need to add edging, bury the sprinklers, and extend the wall on the far side.

Just a few days ago.  Not a lot of work to throw sod (Joe did it all) but a HUGE difference.

Wall drama.  Yikes, it collapsed!

The beginning...a loooong time ago.

A lot of dirt (over 100 yards, one wheel barrow at a time), one dozen palettes of 55-lb blocks, several truck loads of gravel, hours and hours of sweat and work, lots of HOA discussions and now we have a backyard.

Yippee!