This was a really good, full week. But it started with a lazy morning. Just the way summer should be!
Isaac had been waiting for Chess in the Park to start. We went the first day and he loved playing chess with different people.
It was especially fun to play with his friends Tyler and Leland.
He also got to play with James, the high school student who runs the chess program. He beat Isaac pretty quickly, but gave him some good tips and Isaac got to play chess with a timer for the first time.
For FHE that night we did some service for dear friends. Isaac and Grace got right to work.
We went swimming after we worked. Emma had to work so it was a perfect way to share FHE with her. We were treated to a beautiful sunset that night.
4th of July morning started with traditional red, white & blue pancakes.
Grace was all decked out in patriotic gear!
Isaac and Grace got to ride in our ward float in the Canby parade. Lee took them over early and staked out our spot.
I waited at home for Kaitlin and the Myers kids. We walked to our parade watching spot when they got here. We had a good spot near lots of friends and the parade gets better and better every year.
Isaac walked the parade route in his scout uniform.
Grace rode in the float.
After the parade we walked around a bit and then went home to cool off and wait for family and friends to come over.
And we had fun when they got here!
Lanna and I took our traditional 4th of July picture.
We saw some smoke down the street and then heard sirens. We ran down to the end of the street and saw a tree and fence on fire. Must have been one of the many illegal fireworks we kept seeing! We are so thankful for the firefighters who work hard to protect us.
He’s my favorite pyro!
We watched the city show in the middle of the street while the kids played.
It really was a fun day to celebrate the birth of our country and the freedoms we enjoy.
The next day we had to laugh at the huge box that came from Amazon with more packaging than the little contents needed.
Grace must have needed a little nap after a fun 4th of July and Penguin Club and before play rehearsal that night.
The next day we headed to the Columbia River Gorge. We hiked to Elowah Falls first.
Such a beautiful hike!
Even better, the kids could play in the water at the end. They had a blast, it was the perfect spot.
Sisters!
Once we got the kids out of the water at Elowah Falls we headed to Oneonta Gorge.
Oneonta is my favorite Gorge hike. So beautiful, fun and different (if not a little dangerous!). The kids loved it.
That water is pretty darn cold though, especially for our Arizona blooded family.
I’m so glad Darcy was brave enough to go in and take the kids. It was cold!
Poor freezing Charlotte.
We made it out and the kids explored the tunnel a little.
The same tunnel that completely burned later in the fall. Sad.
Tenley and I stopped at Multnomah Falls on the way home. Both to see the falls and to hit the bathrooms.
Such a great day in the Gorge. We live in a beautiful place! We missed Emma. She had to work and give private lessons. She also had a YW Camp meeting with the COPE team. Busy girl!
The next morning Isaac studied up on the Periodic Table. Smarty.
Before Penguin Club we went to the library for a summer activity. Isaac and Seoul got to be helpers in the play.
That night we headed to Portland for an urban hike. Lee and Emma were able to join us this time.
I was happy about that, but maybe Tenley wasn’t?
While everybody else was eating dinner these crazies were hamming it up.
We had a nice little walk through downtown, across bridges, and past weird Portland people.
It was a beautiful night.
This crazy crew may have added to the Portland weirdness that night, but it sure was fun!
Of course we had to end our night with ice cream at Salt & Straw, but the line at NW 23rd was WAY too long. So we went to Alberta. That line was just as bad. Bummer! The Tigard people went home one way, and we headed the other way so we stopped at Mike’s and got some soft serve instead. Not quite as good, but a lot cheaper!
Saturday morning Grace and I went to a work session for Mary Poppins. We made lots of umbrellas and kites to decorate the curtain.
That afternoon there was more Periodic Table studying and even some multiplication on the white boards. Crazy kids!
We got to go to Kara Sunderland’s baptism that evening. Cute kids who are getting too big!
We stopped by Dairy Queen on the way home. Guess we hadn’t had enough ice cream that weekend!
Sunday was Granny’s birthday.
We celebrated big, just look at those candles! We sure love Granny!
The girls stayed at our house that night, and the boys went to Granny and Grandpa’s. The girls had some good old Oregon fun by salting slugs. So different from the scorpion hunting they do when in Arizona!
What a good, fun, full week!
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