Week #19: Water Fun & Lucky Charms Disaster

This week...

...the kids begged to play in the water. We have been having some pretty hot days lately. Playing in the water is the obvious solution. With it being so hot, we tried to use our air conditioner. That thing blew a lot of air, but it wasn't cool air. The kids couldn't sleep it was so hot in the house. They got to camp out in the family room with the fan blasting and the windows wide open.

...we went to Muffins with Moms at Paul's school. We stopped in at his classroom and Emma got to see her good friend that she met last year in second grade. She's the daughter of Paul's first grade teacher this year. She is the best little friend any parent could hope for their child to have. I'm so grateful we've become friends with Faith and her mom Mrs. Shay Ogle.

...we walked down to the TCYSA Fields to watch our cousin play soccer. It was soooo hot that day that it really wasn't that fun. It was a chore walking with our chairs and blankets. The water was gone within the first five minutes of sitting down. Paul was sitting too close to Ben and Lainey Claire didn't ask to sit on Emma's blanket. Lainey had to go to the bathroom. I took her to the porta-poddy in the middle of the tack weeds. Ben had to go to the bathroom...and on and on. We decided to head out before the game was done. And because of all of our effort and exhaustion, we made a trip to DQ for dilly bars. It wasn't a total wash.

Alex is the one right in the middle of the field - #7

Katie and Emma trying to pass the time and cool off in the shade.

...Lainey found a convenient place to color. She loves to play on the stairs. Lately she's been going off on her own to play. After a while, I get nervous because I can't see or hear her anywhere. I call for her and she calls back. She's just tending her babies and using her play phone...on the stairs.

...Claire made me laugh with her extra long fibber nose.

...we went for a walk and played with our shadows.

Me, Lainey, Emma, Paul, Claire

...we made our first trip to the River for this year. It was so hot on Saturday that we couldn't pass up the chance. For awhile, the river was bogged down with tumbleweeds and other debris. The kids didn't seem to mind though.

...Claire had a mishap with the box of Lucky Charms cereal. I guess they're not so lucky after all. We didn't get mad about it, we took a picture. Then they gathered up all of the marshmallow pieces to eat them. 

...we celebrated my Dad's 68th birthday, backyard-hot-dog-roast style. My brother hosted the family in Mattawa for good food and a good time. The kids all enjoyed roasting their own dogs, the little ones loved the swings, the cousins enjoyed being together, and Lainey loved swiggin' on Grandpa's sodie. 

 Grandpa Zirker (68), Lainey (2), Paul (7), Trenton (9), Katie (9), Emma (9), Claire (5)

Keaton (5), Sydney (12), Benjamin (5), Jenna (6), Christian (15)

This one is my favorite. I love Cousin Allie's expression. She's the one in pink. She is the embodiment of the fun that swings are for children.

Look at that view-Great sunset, pivot running, tarped hay stacks in the distance, grassy pasture in the foreground. That's a great view.

Week 18:Temple Walk

This week...

...Emma and I joined our youth on a walk to the temple. That's just under 11 miles from our church building. Youzer! We watched the stonecutter video about the man that walked 22 miles each way to fulfill his calling to work on the temple, and didn't stop even when his leg was amputated after a cow kicked him.  
   Walking over the Blue Bridge was amazing! That's one of my bucket list items. Not a grand feat, I know, but it was fun! Emma walked the whole way with us. I thought she would give out during the second stretch, but she was determined to walk up to the temple, not ride. My feet were so sore. I could really feel them hit the pavement for the last five miles or so.

This is our pre photo :: such spirit and energy

 

Emma and I debated on whether to take a back pack or not. We determined that there were a few essential things that we needed and opted for it. We assured each other that we would take turns carrying it along our trek. This is Emma taking her turn in the first five minutes of the walk. She didn't carry it once the REST of the way. 

This is our group winding back in to find the foot path for the Blue Bridge. President Fielding, the President of the Spanish Branch, gave me a good, energetic reaction.

This is Emma with one arm in Pasco and one in Kennewick. Rock on! I've wanted to walk across the bridge for some time now. But actually crossing the bridge was a little disconcerting. Once you get out over the water, the foot path is not actually connected to the bridge and you can see water on both sides. It throws off your balance if you look down at the water; you have to look out ahead. (There's a lesson there don't you think? We have to look up at where we want to go so we can be prepared instead of just focusing right immediately in front of where we are. Helps us keep our perspective.)

 :: a shot of the Columbia River and Cable Bridge ::

Our Bishop's wife joined us for the first part of our walk. Look at them holding hands: 30+ years of marriage.

These ladies manned the refuel stations. We were very thankful for their service. That kept us going. (Sister Nieforth and Sister Norman)

:: Silly girls! These two young women, Emma and Noreen, were so great with little Grace (one of the YM leaders brought his family). Grace started talking to them at the beginning and soon she was holding their hands and hanging out with them the whole time. ::

Emma walked all 10+ miles with me. I thought my feet were sore and ready to fall off, I can only imagine how she felt. But she stayed with me (with Isabell Soriano, Livi, and Emma - Brother Tippits, Katlyn Tippetts, Emma Nieforth, Grace Barny, and Israel in the background).

Emma and Taya found some interesting chairs on which to rest.  

Two of my wonderful young women - Noreen Hale and Emma Nieforth. Can you see their excitement for the Temple walk?

Coming out of Columbia Park

Heading up Steptoe

Group Shot on Steptoe - We're getting closer!

We're almost there! It was so great to finally set our eyes on the temple when we turned onto Gage Boulevard. Several youth took off running because the end was so near.

Bishop Pierce, Royce and Aubrey Barny, Dane Riner, Emma, Me, Noreen Hale, Grace, Emma Nieforth, President Fielding with kids (in back), Isabel Soriano, Savanah Flores, Livi, Kuniko Votaw, Derik Tippits, Zach

{Always keep the Temple in your sights.}

...carpet and flooring was put in this weekend at the ranch house. We went with Abraham's Floor Covering and were very pleased. They were clean cut, very polite, very skilled, and friendly. If you need a good team for flooring, call Abraham and his team (Abraham Balderas 509.737.4613). Paul was thrilled that the men let him help them. Apparently he was sticking close to them most of the day and they didn't have a problem with that. (That's another plus for going with Abraham's service - kind and friendly with kids.)
Here's Paul helping Cousin Austin and Jason with the entry way. He was so excited to use the screw gun.

Paul sat right next to Daniel and handed him each new piece to lay down.

Lainey, in her ever friendly spirit, sat down with them to eat lunch on the front porch. Here's Lainey sitting with Abraham (right) and  Jose? (left) chatting away during lunch hour.

Jason texted me this picture while I was on the Temple Walk. It had me laughing and shaking my head. "That is so Lainey," I said to myself. It's so Lainey to buddy up to everyone and act like a long time friend. At the park, she went up to two women sitting on the ground with their baby and made friends. She started going through the baby bag and car seat. They shared snacks and she kept going back to sit with them and get more snacks. Another time on a walk, she saw some homeowners outside and yelled "Hi!" She waved and stepped off the curb to go talk with them. Because everyone knows that people outside must be wanting visitors. So we went over and met the mother, the two kids, and their dogs before we could proceed home.

...Benjamin fed the birds...ALL of the bird seed. We had about half the bag full of seed.

...I vacuumed up a sock. Grandma Zirker helped me fish it out of the bag. You'd think I would be a little better at the job than that.

...we went to the new West Pasco Branch of the Mid Columbia Library. It was busy and small, but a lot of fun.

I did not threaten Paul and Lainey to sit still or else, regardless of what it looks like from the picture. 

...Jason refinished the bath tub/showers at my mom's. They had talked about replacing the bathtub/showers, but found that it would be way too expensive for the renovation budget. Luckily, my handy husband researched a way to just refinish their existing units and make them like new. And they are too...like new. He did a great job and they look amazing. It also helps that the finish is bright white instead of cream like the old ones. Here's Jason in his gear getting ready to spray the master bath.

  

:: Alien Benjamin ::

...we went to Kindergarten Roundup for Benjamin and Claire. They will be starting school this fall and I won't know what to do with myself. I'll only have one child at home with me! Ben and Claire really enjoyed going to the school knowing that it will soon be their school. We stopped in to see the classroom and took a turn on the bus. The next morning, they both asked if they would be going to school that day. Haha! I had to remind them it won't be for another four months. Lainey was even telling people that she would be going as well. Sorry dear Lainey - that's even longer off yet. (pictures from my phone so they're a little blurry)

...I broke the mop handle mopping the floor today. I guess I had a lot of frustration to work out. 

...we had a little randomness from Paul. I found this picture on my phone.