Summer Fun

Every summer we go to the Columbia River to enjoy the sun, sand and water! You can always go and find someone you know there. Here I am with my nephew Everett. I am burying his feet in the sand. He didn't know what to think of that.

McKay usually swims for awhile and then digs...and bothers his siblings.

Keaton and Adam are having another epic noodle war!

My friend rented a jet ski and let me take the wheel. We left the kids with a friend and went far...far...up the Columbia. It was a gorgeous day and an inexplicable feeling. So amazing.

Here's Kelsey wearing her purple stunnas!

Ellie showing some sass.

Welcome to the Gun Show Asher!
Run Ellie Run!

A WIN for Brogan! Whatever it was about anyhow...

A close up of Adam. Keat's best friend.

Contemplating going in deeper....

My bathing beauty is usually as you see...coated in sand because she is digging and building.
All smiles when soaking up the fun. Gotta love summer fun.

Nine

I cannot believe my baby girl is nine! Every year she gets to celebrate different ways...one of which is with her cousin Tali! Here are the two of them grinning from ear to ear. And the spread....SUNDAES!

Blowing out the candles on the uh, sundaes!

And of course there are always fun gifts to be opened. Sophie never disappoints with her reactions!

Noah showing how very lovely a headband can be on a boy.

Sophie is exactly as she loves to be; with a stuffed animal reading a book. Heaven.

And then for her birthday she got to take 2 friends to her favorite place (and mine) Oaks Park! Here are Kinley, Cassidy, and Sophie walking to the next ride.

This was right after they ate. They rode BIG, SCARY, rides all day. The kind of stuff that makes me want to toss my cookies...and corndog...and ice cream cone.

This would be one of the vomit-inducing rides. Put me in a cage and spin me around and go in a circle? Uh...no.

The roller coaster at night. I don't know what it is, but it is so magical at night to me. I grew up with this place so it is nostalgic.

And finally one last ride around the park in the train. Friends. Treats. Fun. I'd say a pretty great day when you're nine.

Aloha

So my sister Januaria turned 40 in July. Of course, you cannot let something like that go by.... so we celebrated by saying Aloha to her 40's. Cheesy? Duh. But look at my sister!
I made a haul on the yard entirely by myself. I redid my path, the borders, weeded, blah blah blah. It's a good thing I love my sister.

Here I am in my Lava-Lava. Okay, so I am obviously not a native with such a pale complexion. Geez...you'd think the Fillipino gene could manifest itself in SOME way!

My goofy self.

One of the food tables. Yes, it's ALL about the food. And there was LOTS of it!!

Here is Scot ready to party with his newly turned 40 year old wife!

Kirsi rocked her bikini and enjoyed playing coy with Maveryk. If you think he is getting fresh...you're right. Don't worry--Kirsi can hold her own.

The Morgan Family. Totally hip and cute.

Kirsi enjoying the extra attention for sure!

Make a wish! Nope....you're still 40!

And trying to erase the numbers off of the cake doesn't change it either.

Look! Januaria has Double D's! Dave and Dawn!

My mom and aunt talking of course.
Trevor pulling his usual stint in pictures. I tried and tried. I could NOT do it without laughing. This photo is awkward but it fully shows that I am trying so very hard and not successfully either. Carrie FAIL!

Kelsey WIN!

The Boys of Benson and their wives reminiscing about old times. Funny stuff.

Januaria, Michelle, and Jerry enjoying themselves.

And here we are--the 3 sisters. I hope you had a blast sis. And to your 20's & 30's we say ALOHA!

Independence

Traditionally we spend the Fourth of July with the Murphys as both Marilyn and Collin celebrate their birthdays. We ate and then there was a soccer scrimmage in the backyard.



Here is Marilyn laughing at Scott's humorous card. He was pretty proud of himself.

Then we move on to the fireworks. Of course, the law states that fireworks cannot fly, go into the air, float, spin, blow up....just about anything. Here is Soph expressing her patriotism via stickers. Better than a tatoo.... Everyone enjoys sparklers no matter the age....

Thank you for the nice relaxed smile McKay. And yes, those are his pajama bottoms. Again.

Collin is getting into the action here.



Noah is very cautious with the sparkler...very....cautious.

And the kids thought it would be fun to torture 'Rex' from Toy Story.

I'm pretty sure these are 3rd Degree.

Here is Hannah showing us the damage done.

Here is a picture of the 3 girl cousins that were there. We missed you Maddie.

The men overseeing the fireworks.... And as always enjoying a laugh together while celebrating our independence.