4th of July 2009

What a fun night we had.

The day before the 4th the kids made an expensive trip to the fireworks stand, and I put beer on ice and a smoked pork roast into the slow cooker.

The weather was hot on the 4th but we had cold beer, pulled pork, a bonfire and fireworks over the lake - all from our backyard. We were joined by my good friend Mac and his daughter Sophia (Ryan's best friend), and Hannah and Gus's friend Calvin. Mac and Sophia spent the night and we all got up in the morning and went for breakfast at the airport.

Just one of those really nice family days where you are so glad to be who you are and where you are.

Mac teaching Ryan about fireworks safety . . . hah!

Mark and his shop help . . .

Life is straightening out and starting to go really good around here. We have had so many great and positive changes in the last year, not the least being that the younger kids are really taking an interest in helping Mark in the shop. Mark works such long days that he really appreciates the opportunity to spend time with them. And, as I tell the kids, something learned is something you own forever. They're such good kids, getting up early, helping out, doing their chores; these three are going to be successes at whatever direction they go in.

The hardworking happy Dad . . .

CHESS ANYONE???

LOL everywhere we go people ask if these two are twins.

Obedience School for the dogs . . . and kids!

The feed store down the street from our house held dog obedience classes . . . I don't think anyone graduated, dogs or kids!

Hannah and our Jack Russell Terror, Piper.

Lou and our big ball of fluff, Xander, the Standard Poodle.

Summer fun . . .

Aren't siblings great . . .

Kids enjoying the day and taking a break from boating.

Lou and Ryan.

Hannah and Gus.

The happiest Dad.

A Family Trip . . .

Our kids walking off into their future . . .

Well, our babies are growing up, heck they're hardly kids anymore, more like young adults every day. It is so much fun to watch them in this final stage of their childhood.

We feel really lucky to be here in this time of their lives, babyhood was special and they were such fun as children; but this final stage where they're figuring out who they are, asking important questions, and gearing up to make choices that will affect their lives . . . this is really cool.

We took them on their first trip to look at colleges this week, and watched them grow up another whole step right before our eyes. They were a little confused and overwhelmed at the first college, getting it figured out by the second one, and pushed their way to the front of a large group during the third tour . . . lol, they're gonna' make it just fine.

Our tentative plan is to look at Idaho colleges this month, Oregon Colleges next month and then maybe California colleges in August.

Here are some pictures from this first trip . . .

Checkin' out the dorms . . .

On tour with an English Professor.

Meeting with the Art Professor . . .

Filling out paperwork . . .


A very proud Dad!!!

Gus's First Job . . .

Mark and Gus (in work uniform)


Well, I spent quite a bit of time driving Gus to pick up and drop off job applications this winter. I thought it was rather futile as he isn't even 16 until July, but he was persistent. He got over the initial fears, learned his social security number, found his birth certificate and practiced writing legibly. I was getting a little worried that he would get discouraged as jobs are few this year - even McDonald's was staffed almost entirely by adults. But then we hit on Roaring Springs! He made it through the cattle call, the interview, the call back, orientation, training, and on to the first day of work at his first job. Mark and I are very proud of him, he has to get up at 6 am to be there on time and we haven't had to wake him up once. He's a very conscientious hard worker just like his dad.

These are some shots of him heading off for his first day on the job . . .