We have had a really great Summer full of play dates, family time, and just hanging out with each other. The kids had a jam packed June with two separate VBS adventures. Their first was with their good friend Trinity to a local church. All three of them had a blast and learned a lot. Emma even came forward and asked about being saved. She is the more quiet of the two on the subject. So it made us happy to know what has been on her mind and in her heart. Henry conquered his fear and made some new friends there.
And then their second VBS adventure was at Papa and Nana's church. Dinner every night and then off to VBS! They spent their days helping take care of Nana, went on a few day trips, rode a steam engine in Palestine, TX, got much needed haircuts with Ms. Lucy, and just had a great time with their grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins!
They were gone for 10 days and during that time, I did some organizing and de-cluttering here. And Jason and I made a trip to West TX to check out some land that we purchased. We had a a great time away and enjoyed out week and a half of kid free freedom. I also prepared and packed us for our road trip to Washington to see Grandpa and Granny.
During this time, Nana had to have fluid drained from her lungs. She has continued to have issues with shortness of breath and that was the reason. She had a Thoracentesis done twice and now has a drain in for a short time. She is doing better, but still needs prayers for her continued recovery. The drain went in while we were gone to Washington.
The kids came home from Richardson on the 6th of July and we hit the road the morning of the 8th to head to Washington state. We had a couple of really long days, but made some great time and saw some beautiful scenery. The kids did great. They brought along books to read, activity books, sketch pads, a few small toys, and their Nintendos. We packed snacks and sandwiches and stopped for gas and to stretch our legs. We did not drive straight through like we had originally thought about doing. We did stop and stay in a hotel the first night. We made it into Tacoma early on the morning of the 10th.
Henry went to work with Grandpa every day. He had already had that planned since the last visit. They had a great time together! Emma stayed at the house with us and played with Gabby, talked with Granny's chickens, and did some sewing and cooking with Granny. She too had these things planned.
Aunt Rachel, Uncle James, and our two nephews, Christoper and Jo came to visit from Mount Vernon. Henry did stay home one day to spend time with his aunt, uncle and cousins and to swim in the indoor pool at their hotel. We played games, chased toddlers, ate good food, and had a wonderful time together. It was so great to be able to spend Jason's birthday with most of his family!
We spent one morning at Northwest Trek which is a nature preserve and is home to some native animals of the area(kind of a mini zoo). Daddy and Grandpa worked on a new chicken run for the chickens. The chicken coop changed location in the backyard and needed a new/repurposed chicken run. So they were able to work together and get that made for Granny's chickens. Henry and I shot hoops in the mornings in the basketball hoop in the backyard. And the kids played in the kiddie pool a few afternoons. Temps were in the 80s and 90s and we survived no A/C(central air) with lots of fans and open windows and doors. It cooled down at night and we all managed okay. Nobody melted away.
Both kids dealt with allergies while we were up in the PNW. I think whatever bug Jason, then Henry, then me had, caught up with Emma. She had a bad cough and was running a low grade fever for a couple of days and then she was back to good. We found out or at least are pretty sure that Henry has a cedar allergy like me. He chased the basketball into the cedar trees and then touched his face. He had a rash all over his face, some on his arms,and a little on his collar bone. Benadryl was our best friend. They both got better, but we will go better prepared next time.
We were able to spend the last weekend of our trip at the beach! Granny rented a beach cottage and we left on the morning of the 18th to catch some freezing waves. The really cool thing about visiting Granny and Grandpa is that 1)WE GET TO SEE GRANNY AND GRANDPA!!! 2) 2 hours one way is the mountains 3) 2 hours the other way is the ocean 4) Beauty lush green in between! After a 2 hour drive through winding roads and thick green scenery we were at the beach!
Our cottage was called "Happy Days" and was just the right size for our family. We played cards and board games, the kids painted pottery, Granny shopped at the local farmers market, and we walked a lot. The kids enjoyed some play time at the playground and Granny and Grandpa toured a house for sale. The little tourist town is growing so there were cottages and houses being built all over. The kids also enjoyed another afternoon in an inside pool and got to splash around with Granny and Grandpa while Jason and I looked at land and did some shopping. We made s'mores for a small army of kids that showed up with their parents at the outdoor fire place.
Luckily, we had a clear and kind of warmish day and that is the day that we had our beach day. Granny and Grandpa had sandcastle building tools, we packed some snacks, and then walked down to the beach. We found the perfect spot and then the kids and Granny got busy building. Grandpa walked Gabby around and Daddy flew a kite. I walked the shore and took a lot of pictures. Both kids misjudged an incoming wave and got soaked to the skin. We managed to stay out for a little while longer, but then decided to head back to the cottage to get our two little Popsicles warmed up. After hot showers, some dry clothes, and some snuggling, they were good to go.
We had an absolutely fantastic time and all of us were really not happy about having to leave to head home. There was crying in the car, long faces, and just a lot of sadness. It is always so hard to leave.
We took a little longer making our way home. We left on a Monday morning and were home by dinner time Wednesday night. We made it as far as Colorado Springs the second night and then had to stop because Henry got car sick. I'm thankful we were prepared for it. He had one more bout of car sickness before we made it home. Otherwise, they both did great!
I just have to say that I am beyond blessed with the family that I married in to. We always have such a wonderful time together and I always learn something new even after 12 years of marriage. I love all of you so much!
We had a wonderful time and came back home refreshed and relaxed.
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