Week #27:Breakfast on the Fourth

This Week...

...we took some pictures of the house for our Zillow listing. It really feels like we're saying goodbye already.

...we went to the river to hang out with Jason's buds from high school, and their families of course. Clint and Rania were in town because of the funeral for his grandfather, so it was nice that we got to see them before they had to head back to Utah. It was the perfect afternoon/night for hanging out at Howard Amon Park. Jason, John, Raliegh, and Clint were together again.

...we went to the Fourth of July breakfast. Paul and Benjamin got to participate in the flag ceremony (because I actually remembered this time). We had biscuits and gravy, which I love. Then the kids did their bike parade. 

...we braved Howard Amon on the Fourth for some boating and swim time. It was a little crazy, but once we found a spot along the bank and settled in, it wasn't so bad. Parking was the worst part. There was none. There were just so many people at the river. Uncle Bill had a great time running the boat and giving all the cousins turns in the boat and on the tube. Note for next year: avoid the park!

We walked up to the top of Madison for the Fireworks show. We took some blankets and sat int he dirt. Not Jason's best idea, but what can you do. We could see the TRAC and the Kennewick fireworks. The Kennewick show was so much better. It was fun to see both locations.

...we took Elder Gwilliam and Elder Owen out for lunch. Elder Owen is headed home. It has been so great to work with these Elders in the ward.

...we saw a deer on Madison Ave. We couldn't believe it! We held up traffic at the stop sign so we could get a picture of it. It ran up through the homes and across the open fields at the top of Madison.

...we started spraying Erik and Valery Miggliaccio's house. It was super hot, but we braved it anyway. Once we got the sprayer going, Jason busted out three sides of their house. He went back the next morning and finished the front. We started out with all the kids helping, but it was just too hot and not enough to keep them all busy. So I ran everyone home but Emma. She was an excellent helper, making sure the hose didn't get in the way or touch the wet paint. It looks so nice! We couldn't believe the new paint colors were the same ones they had used originally. Jason called Aho's painter and matched them, so they had to be accurate. We were so glad that we could get this done for Valery.

...we finally made it to We Ice this summer, our one and only time. 

Week #26: Up For Sale...Again!

This Week...

...we put our house up for sale. We're going to try For Sale by Owner. There's a development in Kennewick that will come available in the fall. It gets us into Benton County and in an excellent location. In order to be able to secure a lot there, we've got to sell our house this summer. It's not ideal because we just built our house and we love it, but it is the right move. The kids are getting used to the idea and we're adjusting to leaving our ward, neighborhood, and schools. We've had a great time in Pasco. It will be hard to say goodbye, but a river isn't so hard to cross for true friends. 

...we went raspberry picking at the Hales. It was so hot and there weren't that many big raspberries. We quickly abandoned our quest.

...Lainey did swim lessons at the Wrights. I always remember, remember, remember to call about lessons right up until it's actually time to call and then I forget. Needless to say, Lainey was the only one that got into a session this year. She is the one that needs it the most, so I was glad.                 

...Emma and I made a trip to Party City. We were looking for turquoise items for Girl's Camp. It was really fun to see all the color coded sections - packaging in colors, candy in colors, table coverings and settings in colors, decorations in colors. We had a good time.

...Emma went to a young women swimming activity. She had a great time being silly with Calli Lewis.

...we went to the Empey's to pick Raspberries. We heard that he had way more than they could use and we were not disappointed. Br. Empey was more than happy to let us come over and there were plenty of beautiful, huge raspberries for us to gather. I took all the kids and they helped for a little bit, but the heat zapped their energy and I didn't have it in me to make them keep going. I made freezer jam when we got them home and washed. Delicious!

...Emma had her summer orchestra concert. She played with the advanced group and had a solo. I was very proud of her. The solo was quite long and she sounded so good.

...we had dinner with the Elders. Yum! Elder Owen had Elder Van Wagner with him on exchanges, one of the assistants.