August

 I am absolutely thrilled that school does not start for Hazel and Oren until September 3rd! I have always said that I do not think school should start until September and this 2026/2027 school year will be off to a good start. 

Our summer has been challenging, fun and stretching. The fun stuff includes my garden, a great baseball season for Oren, Hazel getting her license and Willem and Merit working and making memories in between.

Vance and Oren took a week long trip to Ketchikan, AK. Willem joined for a few days. 

We have gone to Lynden twice this summer.  I love making memories there. Every time I go to Lynden I want to go to my all time favorite park, Hovander. But my kids and Tasha's kids have pointed out that there are, in fact, parks to go to other than Hovander and other places to experience. :-) And so we did the Sumas Mountain hike last trip. We spent time in Blaine the month before. 

I typically do not love August - hot and smokey and looking up against school. But, as I mentioned earlier, school does not start until September this year so I do not even have to think about it it until September 1st! And I am so looking forward to our fair this year! In addition to this, my flower garden is doing well and bringing me a lot of joy. Morning and evening bike rides are a good part of our days. 

Hazel has a fantastic friend group. How is this girl 16? I miss her being ten but she is having a lot of fun and I love the memories she is making. She is no longer the horse crazy girl she once was. But wow do these horses love it when she comes down for a visit. They still respond to her so well. 

Oren has a kind heart and a great sense of humor! He is light and laughter. 

Well, I am headed out on a short bike ride before I do some weeding. 

It's good to be back, wonder if I can stick with it?

Tuesday Morning....

 7 degrees this morning - beautiful sparkling ice on the sage brush and Russian Olives - - 

We live in one of the most beautiful places. 

Vance went to Cabo last week. He went with a great group of guys! A group of friends who we have started spending some holiday weekends with. Included in these weekends is laughter and good stories, memories in the sun and good food. Vance said the fishing was not great and the food was sub par. The temps were comfortable, and the company great.

I have been scrapbooking and making cards for 30 years, actually longer now that I think about it. While Vance was away I went through a few totes of paper - back in the day I saved every scrap! I always set aside some papers for the kinder classes. They loved using it at their writing centers, stickers too. I was able to organize some of my things and then took a small stack of card making supplies to our little one room cabin on the creek. On an 18 degree day, I spent an afternoon in the cabin. I listened to old CDs and watched the birds and ducks take off and land off of the creek. 

I had the little space heater going and Marilyn came down and joined me for an hour. Marilyn appreciates the beauty of Crab Creek as much as I do! 

Yesterday was a day in kindergarten! Those children are funny and full of personality! I see their growth! It is rewarding.

Okay! Busy day! I better run..... 

 

Photography JOY!

Many of my favorite photographs are making their way on cards and I just love it. 

As many of you know, I am a fan of snail mail! And I enjoy dropping a handwritten card off to a friend! 

 

THIS SWEET GIRL!

 

SENIOR NIGHT!

 

Mavs @ Eastmont Saturday night