Its fall-ish!

Yay for cooler mornings!  More time for park play, even if its at 6:30am. :)

We made a fall wreath.

Gideon's been having fun in karate.

We celebrated Daddy and Jasmine's birthdays and Jasmine's graduation...I'll post her day next.  For now its all about Dad.  Since Dad is such a foodie, we surprised him with a 7-course meal.  I have this awesome book about serving/presenting food but haven't had the chance to make a full 7-course meal...it was very fun.  We made everything from scratch aside from the Lemon Sorbet.  Gideon's job was to keep him in the living room while Joce and I wrapped up each course and served him.  He thought it was a great gift. :)

The Menu:
Appetizer: Bacon Wrapped Jalepeno Poppers
Soup: Cold Cucumber Soup
Palette Cleanser: Lemon Sorbet
Meat: Garlic Rosemary Pork Roast
Veggie 1:  Buttery Rosemary Petite Potatoes
Veggie 2:  Sweet Baby Carrots
Desert: Double Fudge Cake with Chocolate Ganache

Time to Refresh

I cannot believe it!  We didn't make one camping excursion this summer!  Between heading to Washington and Daddy having quite a few days of work out of town we just didn't find time.  This past weekend was another busy one until Sunday.  After church we decided to pack up and leave town for what was left of the long weekend, an impromptu trip.  We made a quick drive to Prescott for cooler weather and time to refresh, recharge and enjoy each others company since so often everyone is moving in different directions.  It was just so simple yet so fun. 

School Begins and Ends

We are back into the swing of the school year.  Jocelyn is beginning her junior year and having a lot of fun.  Gideon has had a few meetups with friends, beginning martial arts class and we spend some time in structured learning everyday.  All of the you have always been so enthusiastic about learning.  Jasmine began her last high school class so quick and now is in the last week!  She graduates September 12 and begins college two weeks later but she's enjoying every day. 

And the graduate!  I cannot believe how quickly time has passed and where we are today.  I am so thankful for all God has brought forth in these children and continues to as we each put Him first.  Congratulations Miss Jazz! 

  

Our Summer

Our summer has been full of fun and great memories.

We visited Uncle James and Papa in Washington.  And Aunt Stephanie along with Liz, Ethan and my great nephew (I just think that's so funny) Aiden drove over the pass to visit too.  Gideon and Aiden were instant friends and so much alike.

Ethan took the boys swimming.  He asked if they wanted to jump in and they were all for it.  I don't think they realized they were going under, their faces are priceless. :)

We spent a lot of time at Uncle James' house and just cruising around town with no particular plan which is way different from my norm and actually super fun.  :)

We did make one planned adventure to the REACH museum.  Since Pasco is where the nuclear bomb was built and the Hanford site still exist there it has some interesting history.  It also displayed the area's land and habitats.
The land and habitat exhibit.  Gideon made his own sticker keepsake with Jazz.

The Hanford exhibit.

The history on the homes in the area was interesting as one resembles the style of Uncle James', so neat.

On our cruising around town we came across this submarine; it was the first to circumnavigate the world.

Although the weather can be pretty warm in the summer days, around 100, it cools off as evening approaches and makes for magnificent mornings in the high 60's.  The trees, trees, trees we just loved.  Jeremiah tends to enjoy the western Washington pine trees but I think you just can't beat these amazing sycamores on the river and around town.

Gideon loved running in the grass barefoot.  We spent a lot of time outside and it was so good for all.