Boo

Halloween is here again!

I love this boy... This all comes from him. He just loves her, no matter what.

Two Things... Well actually Three

First it was a beautiful Saturday morning for football, no rain! There are two facts about this game that made it extra special. Two circumstances that brought out a beast on the field, an animal ready to play. One, how cute is Ethan's 4th grade teacher, she came to his game. Ethan asked me two times... "Mom, is she here yet?" It was so cute.

Thank you Mrs. Allen for taking the time to make your students feel special!

Secondly these two... I don't know if I should share this info or not. It worked so I am sharing. E was paid! 5 bucks for every solo tackle, 1 buck for an assisted tackle. A dollar lost for missing a tackle from the offensive line. A bit whacked but it worked. Ethan was on fire and dad is out 15 smacks!

Here is our friend Hayden... And the ball was gone, gone, gone. 26 to 14.

So fun to watch!

I'm really looking forward to this...

Another soaking wet football game. Kick off- 8:00 am, drop off an hour before that. (that was sean's job :) Come on slop, muck, mud, and mire! Go King Nissan!

A stunning way to pick up some pumpkins...

Cascadian Farms... is great but it is the way there that is really breathtaking! It is out HWY 20, 3 miles past Rockport. It is may favorite "no-frills" patch. A perfect Sunday afternoon.

Pics Here

This sweet church was even having there 3:00 every other Sunday service. Right out of a Movie!

EE turns TEN! Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Make a wish...

This is how we start the day, every year...

Ethan's request was an airsoft party and he is lucky in the fact Joe said "Yes!" mom was not as excited...

Blurry but still cute

The long awaited gift... a big bad airsoft riffle. Again Joe bought it, not me :)

And then it was on... The War!

This would be the man laying down the airsoft law! 

Okay now I can see by this why he thinks this is fun.

ooohhh... scary.

Happy Tenth Birthday EE!

It Starts! EE's First Game...

We had the best time yesterday at Ethan's first official football game. It was a blast to see the team come together and succeed! 28 to 7! I can see the more experience they have the more fun the games are to play and watch. So I am happy to say I can't wait for each Saturday game from here to Halloween! 

Disclaimer: These are not the pics from the game on Saturday as we left the house at 6:20 am, I'm lucky I remembered to change out of my pajamas! These are from the "practice" games from the Jamboree. 

Go 22! Whooo Hoooo!!

This is what the dads do... explain the game, explain the strategy. Over and over and over!

Proud Mama!

School Days, School Days!

Is this not the cutest middle schooler?! Well we did it, made it to the first day of school with all the necessary preparation. And I'm exhausted! As are my three school going children. Mmmm, I i just love this time of year. I'm going to go put them all to bed and have a glass of wine with my husband. Yea school! 

Forth Grade!!! 

Once again... Check this out.

In front of her new school. Kulshan Middle School

The Salmon Catchers

Salmon slaying in the Skagit River...  We had a great time, catching BIG fish! 

This is what the dads do... over and over.

Catching Salmon is a whole new world... We have come along way from worms on a hook baby! 

We actually needed a diagram courtesy of a cute fisherman from Holiday Sports and two moms humble enough to ask!  And we'll be back. Simone and I want to stock up our freezers!

It's over, my nursing days are over!

 Well to say I am amazed at Gods healing power would be a huge understatement. Jack is nearly healed, the skin is discolored and he still has some cosmetic healing do to but the burns are all closed up. I am so thankful this nightmare is behind him. I am thankful we have been able to return to our life free of doctor visits, dressing changes, pain and Advil. Now that Jack is on the mend we have been trying to squeeze the most out of this summer, I will have more to come but for now just Jack being able to be Jack is enough to keep a huge smile on my face. 

Don't you just love new school shoes... I wish these were big on him but honestly he just has huge feet! 

Thank you again for all your prayers, please let me give you the same if ever the need may arise. 

Love, A

Everything is better with friends...

And by the look on these smiling faces, everything includes injury. 

WARNING:

Camping may be Hazardous 

to your Health! 

We may need to have some signs printed up! Ethan B. fell last Saturday night while camping and got this injury. A hairline fracture... 

I have to brag a bit about Jack... He has handled this burn so well. We will return to the Burn Clinic in Seattle tomorrow to get an update and a continued plan for healing. He has faithfully let me clean it, pick at it, and wrap it up without complaint. Part of the process is to remove the dead skin so the new skin can feel the medicine. So that is what we have to do... Cut and peel it away with surgical tweezers and scissors. And today he wanted to do it himself. He is very brave...

Today, Day 10...

Taking matters into his own hands... literally.

Sweet Boys... I love that you have each other. They are even having a play date. What the heck, they are both on Advil!

This nastiness was DAY 5...   I am squeamish by nature, I hate blood and throw up. I hate all things medical. But I have to say I am amazed by Gods design for the human body. To watch daily the process of a healing burn is more than amazing. And it does not even gross me out anymore! Thank you God for healing.

Burns are Bad- God is Good

This for you non-facebookers. :) While camping with his father on Saturday night Jack fell backwards into the campfire. By the time I was able to get to the emergency room Jack was in a condition that was nearly unbearable to watch. I had never seen him in such pain, or anyone for that matter. I think burns are worse than labor! 

We spent the night in the ER at St. Joes. The medical staff there were talking about skin graphs. We were sent to the Harborview Medical Center Burn Clinic. He has 2nd degree burns on all fingers except his pinky. His thumb and the top of his hand is also burned. 

By the time we got there God did a miracle for Jack. No skin graphs needed!!!! That makes all of us sooo happy. I am learning today that despite not needing skin graphs he has a lot of healing to do. His hand looks even worse today.  (I will spare you a picture of that :) 

I have to change the bandages every evening and we do hand physical therapy every hour to keep the skin moving and not growing back too tight. 

I have two thank yous. First to all of you, my faithful and sweet friends for your support and prayers for our family. I feel so loved. It has been difficult with Joe being gone. Secondly, thank you Simone for heading to the burn center with us. You took great pics, they gross me out but Jack likes to see them. Your company was wonderful! 

Please continue to pray for healing as it will be a while. And praise Jesus with us as it could of been so much worse! There is a photo album on facebook even if you don't do that nonsense you can still take a peek here:  Jacks Trip to the Burn Clinic

Blueberry Pickin'

Mmmm...   Isabelle's favorite "Blue Strawberries!!"  okay...blueberry muffins, blueberry pancakes, blueberry crisp, blueberry salad! Any other ideas, send them my way... :) 

I'm Sad

We just took Joe to the airport. He will be gone for 8 days. We have gone to the airport before but always to pick him up. It was strange to see him leave. I am happy he will be able to see his mom but we will sure miss him.

Seafair in Seattle

Move over Beckham.

We had a blast at Seafair in Seattle last Saturday. We saw the blue angels and the hydroplanes. It was during the heat wave so we had to do all we could to keep cool.  Summer!

If Only...

These two were closer... This is the pic we emailed to Gramps yesterday.

This the pic he emailed back! 

Both fishing on the same night, 1600 miles apart. :(  Come visit us!!!!

EE

What can bring this mom to tears?

THIS! 

I felt a bit stupid but at the same time I see this as a huge milestone... His first practice uniform. He was just a baby, right?

Summer Sizzle

Okay... now that I have cooled off 20 degrees I am ready to get back to summer! We have been barbecuing on the deck and hanging out at the local watering hole...  I love the carefree days of summer. 

Strawberry Shortcake... Inspired by this sweet friend: Snapshots

These two each made SIX bucks selling otter pops and Kool-Aid!!!! 

Cool sunshine girl...  When she is not hot, she is happy. When she is happy, mamas happy.

DANG!!!!!!!!!! It's HOT

Shoot me now... Not even this lake brings lasting relief! Our house feels like 103! 

No one can sleep. 

Isabelle is melting.

True Love is...

Climbing up a tall tree to hang my favorite birdhouse. 

Taking the boys new boat our for a test, to check for holes...

Setting up the tent for the 15th time...

40 YEARS TOGETHER!!!

July 20th, 1969

40 Years ago... The first astronaut walks on the moon. 

40 Years ago... My parents got married on the same day. 

Being so far away I am sad I could not throw a big celebration because I am super proud of your love for each other. I am blessed to have such amazing parents with such a great relationship. Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary!!!!