Sweet Sixteen

On August 26th, Aaron and I celebrated out 16th Wedding Anniversary. Hunter was so sweet to babysit for us. We went out to dinner and then watched Harry Potter. It was so nice to get out. Thanks Hunter! Thanks to my wonderful husband for being the best ever!

Things Happen in Threes

Isn't that how the saying goes? Well life doesn't follow the sayings unfortunately. After Aaron got the dishwasher hooked up last week. Something got caught in the garbage disposal and the motor got fried.

Our van battery has been being very temperamental as of late. When we get in to go some where the van may or may not start.

Friday night I was up feeding Hazel at midnight. The A/C was on, but I was noticing it was chilly rather than comfortable. After putting Hazel back in bed, I went downstairs to turn off the A/C. I did that and noticed that the thermostat said it was 77 in the house. Wrong. Then I noticed that the A/C unit was still running. I went into the garage and flipped the breaker for the A/C off. It turned off, but I kept hearing this surging sound out in the A/C unit. I didn't now what else to do. I woke up Aaron which is not so easy. He went downstairs and took the thermostat front off. The unit finally stopped doing the surge sound.

This is what we found inside the thermostat.

We think something inside it shorted out. Of course this happens the night before the hottest day of the summer. Luckily Aaron got a new thermostat yesterday and got it installed in no time.

He also installed a new disposal. Also our van has a new battery.

All of these things add up to more then 3. The kids have asked several times, "What's going to break next." Let's pray for nothing.

A Fish

Last year Graham didn't enjoy putting his face in the water. At the beginning of summer this year he started to put his head in no problem. Then yesterday he came and asked me for some goggles. The next thing I knew he was under the water swimming. He doesn't want to go in the 5 foot part of the pool...yet.

Getting thrown.

This seems to be a right of passage for our kids. As soon as they can swim, Aaron's throwing them across the pool.

Swimming to the ladder.

Swimming back to Aaron.

Back to the ladder.

That splash in the middle of the pool is Gavin. Gretchen and Harrison are on the side of the pool. While Graham and Aaron are doing some practice.

When Graham got out of the pool, he said,"I liked everysing Dad taught me, everysing."

(No, that's not a typo. Graham says nothing like that. Just keepin' it real.)

He also said,"I'm so proud of myself." As are we all. Such a big accomplishment! Way to go Graham!

Mr. Fix Its

Before we left for Disneyland our dishwasher was super loud. We didn't have time to get it checked out before we left. When we got home, a repair man couldn't come until the next week. When he came he said it was the motor and also it had been leaking water. Great! We purchased a new dishwasher. And will have to replace the floor in the main part of the kitchen.

I picked up the new dishwasher yesterday. Aaron and the boys worked for three hours to get the old one out and the new one in.

Notice all of the dishes on the counter. We have been doing dishes in the sink for 2 weeks. Man am I grateful for our dishwasher.

Aaron wanted to involve the boys to help teach them how things work. He was also learning these things for the first time too. I love that he wants to get the kids in there with him. That way they are one step ahead of him in learning to be handy.

It is in and Aaron ran it last night. I couldn't hear it from upstairs. Yeah!!

Hunter

Hunter was able to go to Boys Scout Camp all of last week. They left Sunday afternoon after church and got back Saturday afternoon. Hunter had a great time. He did over do it the first couple of days. Then realized what his body could handle and did wonderfully the rest of the week. He tried his hand at archery, worked on his cooking and forestry merit badges. Hunter had to catch, gut, cook and eat a fish. He did all of them. Lucky he had already gutted a fish before so that wasn't bad. I thought he would be more exhausted than he was when he got home. He did have quite a few new bruises.

Monday, Hunter, Hazel and I headed to Doernbecher for his once a month visit. His counts were low. Luckily not low enough to not get his chemo. His ANC was 0.5. Hemoglobin was 8.3. Platelets were 55, low. That would explain all the bruising. The ANC and platelets were near the cut off. Dr. Thomas said that protocol was to lower his dose of chemo at home.

We got home and received a call from Dr. Thomas saying that he sent the blood to the lab. They have a more accurate machine there. Hunter's platelets came back at 45. This is below the cut off. Protocol says to stop chemo for a week and have counts checked to make sure his numbers were coming back up. That is what we are doing. Hunter still has his steroids that he takes for 5 days. That doesn't affect the counts.

Hunter is feeling good. We really missed him when he was gone. So glad he is back.

Birthday Boy!

We celebrated Aaron's 39th birthday on Tuesday. What a great man he is. I am so lucky to have Aaron husband. He is so wonderful to work so hard so I can stay home with our children. Aaron is a fabulous Dad. He certainly knows how to make things more fun.

Happy Birthday!!

Swimming

Last week Gretchen was able to have Kelly, a cousin, over for two nights. Gavin was able to have Rees, a friend, over for the same two nights. They each had so much fun together and didn't want the time to end.

We headed to the pool one of the days right after lunch. We were the only ones in the pool. Oh, I guess there was one other boy. The kids thought it was the best thing ever.

Graham was so excited to show me his swimming skills.

This is quite the improvement. Last year Graham didn't like putting his head in the water. Not the case this year. Our kids ask once and a while when they are going to have swim lessons. My reply is that they have them all summer. I pay for them all year though. The blessing of having a neighborhood pool.

Harrison

You can barely see Gavin in the right corner.

Rees trying to do a cannon ball.

Gretch on a tube.

Just playing around.

A couple of games of chicken were played since there was so much room.

Graham also enjoyed the big pool too.

Warming up after.

We had a great time with Kelly and Rees over.

We were missing Hunter. He was at Boy Scout Camp for the week.

A Favorite

One of my favorite flowers is a Hydrangea. I love how big the mop heads are, ll of the different colors that they can be. The leaves are so pretty too.

This is a plant my sweet neighbor gave me a couple of years ago. I've pruned it and it must be in the perfect spot in the yard because this year it looks amazing.

I think there are even more mop heads on it today than yesterday.

I also love that I can cut some for the house and it still has plenty on it to still beautify the backyard. Gorgeous!

Her First Dip

Saturday Hazel took her first dip in the pool. She loves taking baths and our pool isn't chlorinated. So we thought she would love it.

Sportin' her cute swim suit.

The kids have been dying to have her in the pool with them.

Graham came from the little pool too see her.

Hazel liked the pool. It was a bit chilly for her. She likes the water though.

Baseball

Gavin wanted to play baseball again this year. Even though he was going to miss two weeks becasue of Cub Camp and Disneyland.

Batting.

Throwing to first base.

Catching at first base.

Getting ready to run home.

He made it home.

Last week they had a Pitch, Run, Hit competition.

Getting his award at the end of the season.

Gavin won first over all for the Pitch, Run, Hit.

Gavin had a great time. Of course he wishes there were more games. Soon enough it will be time for flag football.