Beer Sampling

 We got to sample the new batch of home brew on Sunday.

Cute Kids

 Mary loves black jelly beans.

A Week on Our Own

We had the run of the house while Mom and Dad were gone. That meant some challenges, but we had fun too. Joshua started teaching this week at Stan State too.

Wednesday we made an obstacle course in the family room.

 Friday we made snickerdoodles to celebrate the last day of the first week of classes for Joshua.

Goodbye Grandma

 

Last night we had a memorial service for Grandma. We couldn't be there physically with everyone in Colorado, but we got to video call in and it was really meaningful to be able to participate in remembering Grandma.

Dinner with Isaac

The rest of the family went to Colorado for a Shields family reunion, so Isaac invited us over for dinner and made ribs.

It was a delicious treat and fun to get out of the house and hang out with Isaac.

Helping Grandma

 Helping Grandma pay bills is exciting stuff.

Faces of Mary

 Mary asked if I wanted to take her picture, so I did. She thinks it's fun to make a silly face and then see what the picture looks like.

Hot Summer Days

We've been kicking back around the house a lot lately, trying to stay cool.

David has been enjoying dairy free yogurt.

I've been working on making some photo books, and people seem to like looking at them.

Mary got help building Grandma and Grandpa Kerr's house so she could go visit.

We've had some bad air, but the kids think the air purifier is great fun. It can keep three balloons up in the air at one time.

We got a Target order delivered in a large box and the kids were entertained for the rest of the afternoon.

Jonah's Birthday Dinner

We celebrated Jonah's birthday on Sunday. It was Isaac and Heather's week to make dinner, and they nailed it again. Heather made these great key lime pies and Isaac smoked a brisket.

Evan and Michelle had a bit of trouble getting all the candles lit.

But then Jonah had even more trouble blowing them out. It turns out they were magic relight candles, and they worked quite well. We were all surprised by that and had a good laugh. 

 We finally managed to get them all extinguished by dunking them in a bowl of water, but by then the kitchen was filled with smoke. So we decided to open presents next and then come back to the pie. It was a fun and memorable evening.

Kid Party

The pirates invaded on Friday. Jonah and Michelle went out of town overnight, so we had the Trevino kids here. Evan, Micah, and Natalie joined us.

There was also time to play with playdough and make cookies.

Saturday morning the fun continued with games with large bouncy balls.

 They also did some camping and fishing. All in all, it was a busy, fun time.

Just Hanging

David discovered piggyback rides and thinks they are great.

 Mary has been enjoying setting up campsites lately and driving everyone there in the big blue van, setting out blankets for the dolls in the campsite, and going on hikes and fishing.

Dinner at Monet's

Mom and Dad offered to watch the kids so Joshua and I could go out to dinner. We went to Monet's and it was a treat. The food was great, but mostly it was nice to have a chance to hangout together with just the two of us.

 We finished things off with lavender cheesecake.

Eighteen Months

David is eighteen months now and full of fun.

He loves to climb over and under things and is super strong. This includes people; if someone is lying on the ground, he likes to go over and attack by flopping down on top of them and crawling over.

He wants to be involved in whatever is going on and is good at brushing his teeth, vacuuming, combing his hair, getting laundry out of the dryer, and other routine tasks.

David gives great hugs and squeezes, and he loves to snuggle.

He also loves to laugh and play.

 David is sweet, happy, and inquisitive, and we are so thankful for him.

Emery's Birthday Dinner

We celebrated Emery's birthday on Sunday. Heather made a great cake and Mom and I made dinner together.

 

Emery had fun opening her presents. We were all so happy to celebrate with the sweet birthday girl.

Ice Cream Cones

 Darrell and Sue came over for dinner Saturday and brought ice cream with mini cones for dessert. It was Mary's first time having an ice cream cone and she loved it.

Family Sing

 We had a family sing after dinner, and both the kids got sheet music and sang along.