State Fair

Gretchen was able to go to the Oregon State Fair with Kelly and Kelly's friend. They went to Bridget Mendler's concert there too. They had a great time. The highlight of their summer I think.

A Glimpse Into the Future

Fast forward 10 years, I'm sure Hazel will still be in her jammies listening to music on a summer morning.

DONE!!!

Hunter is officially done with chemotherapy. Tonight he was able to eat a snack as late as he wanted to and not think about being up an hour later to take his meds. He had a chemo that he had to take on an empty stomach. 

He is enjoying it. Can you tell?
YEAH!!! What a stud!

18!

Aaron and I celebrated our 18th Anniversary. It's hard to believe it has been 18 years.
I never could have imagined loving Aaron more than when we got married. He is such a great man!
I am one lucky lady.

Beautiful Morning

One of the reasons I love getting up early to run. I would have missed this view later. When I came back through the clouds were everywhere. There were no beautiful colors. 

The Park with Old Friends

The kids minus Gretchen and I met Christa and her kids at the park. 

Nothing like a game of  'Fish Out of Water'.

The Park with New Friends

We met a new family in the neighborhood, the Peak's. We met them at the park after dinner. The kids had a great time having Rocket chase them.

We love our neighborhood.

Good Morning!

Hazel woke up in a funny mood this morning.
What a crazy girl!
We can't get enough of her.

Baking

Gavin has been asking since last week to make double chocolate chip cookies. Well we finally did it.

Gavin's favorite part...licking the beater.

It was so nice to have this time with Gavin. We can enjoy the cookies for days now.
I mean one day. They will probably be gone tomorrow. Good things don't last long around here.

Making Dinner

Aaron made dinner last night. He's making it tonight. 

And he is planning on making it the rest of the week.
 Ahhh! Makes mama happy!

Fun!

So much imagination going on this weekend.

And tons of fun!

Cousin Time

Ender and Maya came over for the weekend. Jared and Lydia went to San Fransisco. 

Naturally there was pool time everyday.

Love that these guys get along so well.

Happy Birthday!

My gorgeous husband turned 41. Aaron is a great dad, awesome husband and we are so lucky to have him in our lives. 

Helping Hands

We helped Aaron stuff 270 envelopes for school. The reward was playing on the playground afterwards. 

Not Feeling Good

Hazel wasn't feeling so good when she got up this morning. She had a fever and just wanted to cuddle. Luckily it only lasted a day. Then she was back to her spunky self.

Basketball

After dinner we headed out front for some basketball.

Still taking advantage of these evenings with out practices and other activities.

Silly Girl

Hazel has given up taking naps. The other kids did this about the same time. So now it is resting time. We watch a movie. 

But most of the time it ends like this.
She still is tired but trying to get her to a nap in her bed for an hour or longer was not worth it. This is much easier.

Good Morning!

Breakfast with the youngest three!
The other three are always still sleeping when we eat breakfast. They are missing out.

Little Monkey

Hunter started cross country practice this week. Hazel and I were hanging out in the van until he was done. I turned around to see her swinging like this. 

Good thing the window doesn't roll down all the way. Hazel would have been swinging out the window. Crazy Girl!

Cards

We are still enjoying our slow mornings of summer. 

I came upon these three playing 'Go Fish'.

It was pretty cute to listen and watch.

Ice Cream Truck

On our way to the pool last Saturday we heard the ice cream truck. 

These three were so excited for a sweet treat before swimming.

Near the End

Hunter's last day of chem at Doernbecher. He still will take oral chemo at home until the 28. But the 29th he is finished!! The nurses sing a fun song for the kids when they are finished. They also gave him a card and a couple gift cards. It was awesome. The staff at Doernbecher has been amazing! Here's the video of the sweet nurses below.

Just Us Girls

Hazel was just hangin' around at the park. 

This was our first day of just the two of us at home while everyone else is at school. We are having a blast. 

Battleship

Harrison and I played Battleship the other day. It was a good time. It's hard for me to remember to take these little moments to spend with the kids. These moments make a huge difference in each child's attitudes. 

Shark

Gavin used to draw all the time. I found papers everywhere with his amazing pictures on them all over the house. Lately he hasn't been doing that. He has been outside playing whatever sport he can.
The younger kids were using the playdough and Gavin decided to join it. He made this shark. His inspiration was Shark week on Discovery. Glad to see he hasn't lost his talent. He really is amazing what he can do with no classes or instruction of any kind.

Sunday Stroll

...with great friends. We met up with the Poelman's Sunday early evening. We picked blckberries.

These two are so fun together.

Gavin is so sweet with the two girls.

When we got to the park Danny told Aaron that he climbed to the top of the swing set. Of course Aaron had to give it a go.

Aaron did it in no time with no trouble. Awesome!

Then he had this fun way of getting down.

Naturally the kid needed to give it a go.

Harrison was the first to make it up. He also had no problem. Yes, I was nervous for him to be up there. 

Gretchen and Gavin trying it.

Gavin almost there.

Success!

Go Girl!

Yes!

Cuties!

Good looking kids!
We are so lucky to have such great friends.
We got home and I used the blackberries we picked to make blackberry frozen yogurt. Yum!