Week #24: Take Flight!

This Week...

...Grandma and Grandpa Zirker stopped by for a visit. They brought our favorite treat-Vierra's donuts! Yum! We found the face of donut man in the side of the box.

...we went to Grandma Zirker's to work in the yard. We got everyone in on the excitement. We moved bark around the yard to keep the weeds down.

Sleepy puppies-Tag and Coconut.

Eight little puppies ready to eat. Eight little puppies at your feet. L-R: Kung Fu Panda, Yahtzee, Popcorn, Coconut

L-R: Skunk, Peanut, Tag, Milkshake

...Ben had an "oh no!" moment with the popcorn. He went to open the bag and it ripped right open, spilling a lot of it on the ground. Ben: "Mom, we need to take a picture."

...Day camp came right on the heals of school getting out. This year's theme was Take Flight. It's always amazing to me how many people come together for this three day event to make it happen. All the coordination, the stations, the special presentations. And the boys have such a great time.

Dissecting Owl pellets-it's amazing how many bones are in those things.

The crew-Peyton Greenhalgh, Dawson Claybrook, Paul, Jaxon Mackay, Saul Jimenez

BB Guns are by far one of the favorite activities at day camp. Archery being second.

They had a really neat kite demonstration after lunch.

Leather stamping. They made a magic wallet.

Go Bears!

Here's our group. We were combined with another pack since we're so small.

...we had Elder Singley and Elder Wilcox over for dinner. Elder Wilcox is getting transferred out. We are so sad because we absolutely love these two Elders. They work so well together and have such great personalities. I know that Jason and I have caught the gospel sharing bug partly because we have so much confidence in this companionship. We have laughed so much with them and had some great spiritual discussions. These two each have a special place in our hearts.

These two loved to listen to Emma play the piano. She played Gracie's Theme, Hall of Fame, and an arrangement of If You Could Hie to Kolob for them. 

...we had some water fun. We got the sprayers out for a while and that was such a relief from the heat. Danica was with us for the day and it was just like old times. 

We also went down for a swim at Sister Haines' pool. We are so grateful she lets us use her pool. The kids love to swim and Jason and I enjoy sitting at the pool's edge to visit with Sister Haines.

Week #23: Class of 2015

This Week...

...we went to Aubrie Hull's graduation party. Pasco High 2015! It was pure awesomeness. We are glad that we have been able to get to know the Hull family. They are so fun to hang out with and laugh with. Aubrie is such a fun girl. We loved yelling at her across the park when we were taking a walk and she was headed in to guitar lessons. We loved giving her a hard time about her ripped jeans...and giving her mom the idea to rip them even more so they could be thrown away. She is on the road to success. I'm glad that we are part of her life.

...my nephew Austin graduated. We attended a BBQ at the park in his honor. Go Hanford Falcons! This is the second grandson on my side to graduate. I can't believe my nephews are getting old enough for this. Austin is such a great young man. He's sweet and funny. I can't wait to hear where he goes on his mission. I know that great things are in store for him.

...we hosted Jason's buddies for the day. These guys haven't been together in years. They were in for some much needed bro time. 
First, we called in professional Cabbage Salsa maker, Shelly Olson. You gotta start right. You gotta start with what's most important. The Cabbage Salsa! 

Then it began. I've never heard so much laughing in all my life. I didn't follow everything or understand everything, but they did.

Talking around the table, enjoying the salsa and catching up.

Out on the court like old times.

The Fab Five-Joe Evans, John Hamilton, Jason, Raleigh Hayter, Clint Bonneck

Prepping the meat for dinner. Yum!

John took everyone on a tour of his TekWorks store and then brought his tools to fix Clint's cracked phone screen.

After dinner, Ben and Connie Bues and Nathan and Natalie Howard came to visit with the guys. (Joe, Emily and John Hamilton, Raleigh, Clint, Jason, Ben and Connie, Natalie and Nathan (in front).

...nothing like a peanut inside your glove when you're going to work. My dad likes to play pranks. Beware if you ever leave your shoes or gloves unattended at his house.

...Paul and Emma had their piano recital. It was held in the Richland library again. Jason was able to come even though he was on duty. Only Paul and Emma were at the end. Just as Emma got up to play, he got called away on a serious call. Bummer! Paul knew his pieces really well and sounded so good for only having started to play two months ago. Indian Dance forever man! Emma was part of the finale and she played so well. Her pices were the kind that make you stop and listen. And her skill is the kind the brings goose bumps to your arms. I love that she plays the piano.

Lainey and Allie sat together and shared Lainey's markers and coloring book.  Aunt Julie Marie and I were both thankful.

Paul was going through the notes before his turn.

Paul and Emma with Sister Hall-we have such a treasure in our teacher. She's amazing!

Uncle Kent, Aunt Cherice, and Aunt Shelly

Grandma and Grandpa Zirker

Grandma and Grandpa with the performers-Jenna and Ethan go to Sister Hall for lessons too.

...I love when the summer flowers bloom. I love them even more when they bloom in my own yard. Lilies, Hydrangeas, and Dahlias-my faves!

...Ethan, Jenna, and Allie spent the weekend with us. Their parents went on an anniversary get away. We took a trip down to Chiawana Park because we needed to get out. But it was so hot that we didn't stay long. We needed to get back in. These kids were super silly when it was time to go to bed. They were playing and laughing so much. it was fun to listen to them as I put the laundry away.

...we had We Ice with the Hull's. They invited us out to swim and then we had to end with a treat. Jason was at work so we sent him a picture.

Aubrie was working! Go We Ice! She's pictured with the owners, Sarah Evans and Crystal Worcott.

...Kuniko Votow teaches the Cub Scouts what to do in case of a fire. Stop, drop, and roll!

...I went with Emma's class on a field study to Chiawana Park. I helped walk them up and down the path to collect plant specimens.

We found a lot of these crawdad claws along the path. I picked some up to show the kids at home.

The class with their teacher Mrs. Plewman

...Uncle Kelvin, Aunt Shawnee and Tuffy came by for a quick visit. Love those sunglasses!