July

July was packed with friends and family and trips. For the 4th, Matt came up and Ella decided he was pretty great. Lismarie and her family came over again too. We had a fire and roasted marshmallows and enjoyed the fireworks. My kids are getting into more explosive fireworks, so I'm always a little nervous. They wear safety goggles and ear protection and have done a good job the last couple years, so that's good.

Safety, safety!

Early in June, I was supposed to do a Fun Run in Seattle. A couple of things came up and it didn't work out for me to go. Instead, a few weeks later, I hosted one in my neighborhood for a few friends. We convinced the kids to run laps for donuts. It was great. Well, in July another friend hosted one at a park near her house. Donuts are the right motivator, I tell you what!

I took another trip back to Portland to visit family. The Brady family wanted to go for a sail one day, so we had brunch together before heading out.

These ladies all taking pictures of all the kids.

As the boat was getting prepared, we noticed a boat behind us tipped waaay too far over. Someone was out there helping them get properly situated and we all clapped for them when they were upright again. 

Sean loves going sailing.

(I opted out of this trip, but was there when they left and returned)

I was sent a couple of pics that David took of Sean at the wheel. What a natural!

Part of the reason for the trip was a birthday party for Lorainne. There was a lot of cousin time and I got to drive these three sweeties around with me.

The party was a great time! The kids all danced so hard late into the night.

We also spent some time enjoying the Brady backyard in its full summer glory.

With popsicles of course!

I went home for a bit. I got to catch up with my friend Chelsea who was in town for a few days. Matthew got to go to a couple days of a summer camp at the library. I also needed to process some of our plums. I dried some and made some bread and fruit leather. Mmm. I love those plums.

A couple days later we met up with the Brady fam in Tacoma. Some of the crew went to a Mariners game in Seattle. Most of the kids slept outside in a tent or on the trampoline.

I love when they get to just be goofy kids together. It's one of my favorite things. 

From there we all went to the airport to see Bethany's family safely off on their trip home.

I sent the kids to Nicki's for a few days because I went to stay with my brother Adam and Grandpa while my mom went to my Uncle Clinton's funeral. It was hard not to be able to go the funeral, but I knew it was definitely more important for my mom to be there. Amy came to town for the weekend with her kids. I see my siblings one on one fairly often, which I like. However, when combinations of 3 or more of us gets together, I just laugh so much. It was so, so good. Being able to laugh about wiping your grandpa's bum makes it a little less awful.

My kids usually participate in our library's summer reading program. After 10 hours of reading, they get a free book and a couple other little freebies. If they read 100 hours, they get a t-shirt. Sean has earned a shirt a few times, but this is the first year Matthew has earned one. He was so proud of himself. He mostly reads comics, but he read a couple actual books this summer. I just loved seeing so much reading around my house and in the car all summer.  

And my hydrangeas in full bloom for your viewing pleasure! 

3 Years

August 21, 2019

Dear Jon,

I don't really believe in an afterlife, but sometimes I still wonder about one. Can you see us? Are you watching us? Have you seen the amazing ways our boys have grown over the last 3 years? Oh, these boys! I'm glad every day I get to be their mom. Thank you for helping me create them.

Sean continues to be compliant and helpful. He still loves learning and sharing what he knows with anyone who will listen. He is interested in aviation and will take a class at school this year to learn more. This summer, he got to help sail your parents' boat. You know how they are- they were super impressed and read into the future and declared that Sean is a sailor and will inherit the boat. Sean has given me the "Jon eyebrows" a couple of times. You know when you would raise one of them and look at me skeptically? It's pretty hilarious. He's also turning into a teenager! The boy is starting to stink! He gives me grief about wearing deodorant. I totally get it. I cried when my mom told me I had to start wearing it. He also is way more emotional than I expected a boy to be. I shouldn't be surprised though. He has always been a deep thinker and feeler. He is truly a delightful child and I wish you were here to see him. 

Matthew is getting better all the time. He is always so full of energy and he loves riding his bike all over the neighborhood. He is also becoming more helpful. We took a 3-week screen-fast and he just stopped arguing with me about housework. It was kind of amazing. He still has the biggest heart, especially for animals. We spent several days at Molly and Amir's house and he loved on their dogs, and chickens, and ducks, and goats so much. He cried when it was time to leave because he was going to miss the ducks so much. I let him hold a duck feather on the plane trip home. He's going to be part of the stage and sound crew at school this year. He applied for the position and was so excited to be accepted. I'm looking forward to watching him learn new skills and thrive at school. He is such a joy to be around and I wish you were here to see him.

Nicki and I were talking earlier this summer and she said watching to boys grow has been a second chance to watch you grow up. Sean looks and thinks like you a lot of the time, and Matthew has your big, loving heart. 

I wish you were here: To help me on hard days with our kids. To teach them things a father should. To beam with pride at the people they are becoming. I know how much you loved them. If there is something after this life, I hope you keep watching. And I hope you are proud of all of us. 

June

June brought a lovely rainbow of flowers to my garden!

We got to play at Island Lake. Because we went during school hours, it was basically all ours! Matthew collected lots of flowers for me. He's such a sweetie! And we saw a turtle sunning itself on a log. That was a first at this park. 

Sean had a little dragonfly riding on his arm for a while.

These two enjoying a little rest. 

I helped out at Matthew's Field Day. I was really glad he got to participate in music and PE at the school for the last couple months. It has helped him be more comfortable with going to school full time next year. 

That hair!!

I was in a grumpy mood the night before Father's Day. I had been wanting to do a hike, and then that night I decided I didn't want to deal with whiny kids, so we were going to the beach instead! I invited the Cameron's to join us at Point No Point and it was a beautiful day. I wanted to test out the kayaks up there. I wasn't sure how getting them into the water would work out and I wanted to see how strong the current is. Well, there isn't a boat launch, so we had to carry them a bit of a ways, but nothing the boys and I couldn't handle. The current is for sure stronger, but we stayed close to the shore and it worked out pretty well. The waves are a lot stronger, so when we would pull up to the beach, we got knocked around a good amount. Matthew decided he didn't like kayaking here and spent the rest of the time on land. I went out a couple more times and it was a serious workout. A lot of fun, but it was hard work. 

There were a LOT of porpoises jumping around. It's always fun to see them. We also saw a couple of seals and eagles. 

It's so exhausting to play on the beach! The lighthouse was open, so we got to look around a little bit. I don't remember being able to do that before, so that was a fun treat. 

Just a beautiful sunset from my window

We took a trip to Neskowin to enjoy family time at our beach house. My brother came up with his kids, a couple cousins came with their families, and Matt joined us too. It was such a fun few days. 

The kids climbed Proposal Rock. I opted out of going up this time. Various combinations of kids went a few more times during our stay. I think this first time, they may have been barefoot. Goodness!

One of the days we travelled to Pacific City because the boys wanted to show their cousins a giant hill there. They also wanted to try sledding down the hill on cardboard. The sledding was a fail, but we still had a good time. However, we all agreed that it was too crowded and we returned to Neskowin.

Matthew and Reina played on boogie boards for a super long time. They had such huge smiles. I loved it! We also had a couple of kites that were played with by many of us for many hours. 

Rex and I had some great talks on the beach. I sure do love him.

Our crew, expect for Matt (he had left that morning) and a couple kids who are blocked by Rex's fluffy hair! 

And that's a wrap on June!