23rd Anniversary

 We celebrated our anniversary this year with a day at the Oregon State Fair. It had been many years since we'd been to the fair, and it turned out, a few hours was plenty for us. We visited the exhibits, marveling at how people can spend all day in those stinky barns sitting beside their prize animals, wondering about the people who enter their odd collections, and curious how a tomato (or a guinea pig) can be judged as "the best in the state." After watching ducks race and sharing some barbequed fair food, we headed back home and went to dinner at Pompello's. Not every anniversary is exotic and fancy (most of ours aren't), but together makes it special. 

Disc Golfing

Greg took the day off today (Thursday) and went disc golfing with Grant and Kari this morning. (Joel was busy with tennis, and Aubrey had water polo.) Grant needed to test out the new discs he got for his birthday. Their legs and arms came back a little scratched up from the forest, and it was a bit windy at Rooster Rock, but they had a blast. Kari said liked it, even though she "wasn't very good at it."  

We made pizza for dinner tonight since we're celebrating our anniversary tomorrow, Friday, when we normally have pizza. It was such a colorful dinner! And delicious.

This and That in August

 We had a hot spell for a few days when it was over 100 degrees. While I'm very thankful for AC on those days, I really dislike air-conditioned air and really hate having to keep our windows closed. I also HATE being cold in my house when it's warm outside. Greg and I have an ongoing temperature war. You'd think we'd have things worked out after 23 years, but nope. I still want it warmer in the house, and he wants it colder. So, I go outside in the evenings to get warm and wear sweaters and blankets in the house. It's better for our marriage when it's in the 70's and 80's. :-)

Aubrey, Joel, and Grant have all been taking tennis lessons from the fancy tennis pro, Farhad, and Coach Pate has been working with them in between, as well. Lots of tennis happening this month.

Grant helped me pick apples at the Obrist's this last week. They had three trees they weren't doing anything with and generously offered to let us pick, so I have been making many batches of applesauce. I still have one big bag of apples in the outside fridge. Our family loves applesauce--and pretty much all fresh fruit. More peaches are coming next week. 

We also were given multiple bunches of bananas, so I made us of those by making multiple loaves of chocolate chip banana bread and a batch of chocolate banana muffins. Gotta do all these domestic things before I head back to work and life gets crazy again. We've been going through closets, sorting, and getting rid of things we don't need this month. Kari has helped all her siblings sort through their rooms. We're paring down! The bonus room is looking more empty, too. We gave a bunch of old toys, puzzles, and games away, and I packed up three big bins of toys for someday-grandkids. I saved the wooden train sets, blocks, classic kid games, Ravensburger puzzles, the tea set, the little animals and dinosaurs, the cars and planes, and the Playmobil. We still have all the Lego and Magformers upstairs. Feels good to get rid of stuff and get organized. 

Aubrey started water polo daily doubles and workouts last week. Coach Mike and Coach Dawn work those kids hard! Aubrey comes home exhausted and hungry. She's getting stronger every day. She has great teammates, and we're so glad she's playing again. She found out yesterday that she's on varsity this year but will get to play down on JV to get more playing time, which is the best of both worlds. It's going to be a fun, full season. 

Cheryl Visit

It's been 11 years since I've seen my cousin Cheryl, and we had a lot of catching up to do in the three days she was here. She came down just for a visit (and for some sun), and it was just delightful. I neglected my family a bit for those few days--chatting, going out to lunch, and shopping. They survived. :-) After church on Sunday, we all went to Sugarpine Drive-In for ice cream before she went back home. Hopefully, it won't be another 11 years before we meet up again. Texting is great, but it's not the same as catching up face to face and having quality time. There is something just very special about cousins, friends who you've known your whole life. 

Murderer

Joel turned out to be the murderer at Maggie's murder mystery party this year. He won best actor again, an accomplishment of which he was very proud. He was Skipper Clampetts, the head chef at the local fast food restaurant, The Angry Rooster. The kids have so much fun with this, and Maggie does a great job organizing it all. Kari went over to help again this year, so she got to witness it all. 

True Oregonian

First time pumping my own gas! I thought it was the second time, but then I remembered a nice stranger helped me last time four years ago in CA when I was visiting Jane and had to refill the rental car. Not sure I'll take advantage of the new law that allows it in Oregon now, but I learned how! 

 

 

Grant's 13th Birthday

 On Grant's actual birthday, he went to breakfast with Grandpa, played video games, and we all went out to dinner at Mod Pizza that evening and had ice cream. We had his party a week later so that more people could be there. It was very hot that Sunday, which was nice for those getting in the pool, but a little too hot for those who weren't. Great Grandpa and Grandma stayed home and so did Aunt Lindsay. 

Greg and Kari cooked up a little surprise for Grant. They created a water polo game with their own rules and regulations--only allowed to throw the ball with two hands, two-hand splashing on defense and no touching on defense, and if you get called for a foul, you have to go down the slide. Kari was the referee, complete with kazoo whistle and "whites." It was pretty cute and fun to watch. Grant loved it. 

He requested our classic birthday cake--yellow cake with lemon filling and chocolate frosting--ice cream, and hot fudge. His big gift from us this birthday was Airpods to replace his "panda pods." 

We now officially have four teenagers in our house!