One reason I love summer

This year was such a long spring that the strawberries didn't ripen up very early. I thought it would be perfect to take Mia the week before I started my Whitworth class to pick at Greenbluff like we have the past 2 years. I knew that I wouldn't be able to take her once class started since it was from 8 am to 4 pm every day. Whew! That wasn't fun. But anyway, we went up and everything was dead quiet and closed. I silently stewed in my class all week that I was going to miss picking with Mia and making freezer jam this year. (we have all been dying for some since we ran out a few months back). THANK GOODNESS the weather decided to cooperate and the strawberries lasted well into July (never happens) and so Shelby got to go with us too. We picked around 16 pounds and made lots of jam. We also found out that the liquid pectin does not work with freezer jam (though it says it does) so we ended up with some syrup too. Yum.

Some Summer - and our little model!

Sometimes I think she is just about ready to go off to Kindergarten, like in this picture.

Wearing Shelby's glasses!

Twins with Dane at church

Another funny sleeping pose

This is how she wanted me to take a picture at the rather chilly 4th of July picnic.

One of my new favorites.

Digging in the dirt with the big girls. She loved playing with the older Jones girls.

We went to Discovery park with Holly, Bradyn and Camdyn. What a great partk. This little yellow thing spings around and around. What fun.

Bear cave

Catch us up to summer...

We have been really busy the end of April through the last few weeks, but we have mangaged to fit in some fun. We have spent a lot of time in the garden and a lot is growing, we just need some more sun!

School is finally out so after my trip to Seattle for a grant trip, I will be able to finally relax with the family a bit (with a little bit of summer school at Whitworth too in July). We are looking forward to Bobby not having homework also so that he can get some projects finished up around here.

Grace's 2nd B-day. Mia loved the horses.

Found Mama's eye liner and made herself "pretty."

Funny way to sleep. She wants her "cozy" pjs, but then gets too hot.

I had to hide them in the closet now that the weather is getting warmer.

She had fun playing around in the grass at the Bocce Ball Tournament.

Mia came to watch our Wax Museum at school. She wanted to take pictures when I was taking pictures of the students. She loved watching them do their speeches, until she decided it was more fun to roll around on the floor.

Mia has been playing around with her blocks more. She took them all apart and put them into groups of colors all by herself. She was very proud, and this is how I found her when I came back into the room.

She got over the "I am going to scream at the top of my lungs anytime I get near a bath or shower" after about 10 days. The warm water had stung her scratch from the rose bush and she didn't want to feel that again. So glad she got over that one.

Along with so many others in Spokane - one of her favorite past times -The carrousel.

She wants her own white horse. We got to go on unlimited rides and have ice cream one evening thanks to Thrivent. She was in heaven.

Love this face. She looks so big.

Mia's New Bed

Yeah for the big girl bed!! This was not an easy transition. Once we got the door lock (thank's Loran for the suggestion) it got better, but it took a bit. She now is doing really well and tells us every night before bed that she is going to stay in her bed, and she does (mostly).

Grammie and Nono's House

We had an early Easter at Grammy's house. Mia had a lot of fun finding eggs (outside this year). We didn't get many pictures because our camera had just died. Forgot a whole group shot too.

Finally got a picture of Aunt Robin and kids.

This was as good a family shot we were going to get.

On our way home (1st of 3 days)

Thank God for the DVD player.

And left over Birthday gifts.

Overall a great trip, but a lot to do in just the week we had off for spring break.

Fun Times in California - Spring Break

We spent the first few days with my parents and had great weather. It was fun to have Mia play where I grew up. This time of year makes me miss California - such an early spring.

Love the look on her face here.

Tasting "sour grass" She didn't like it like her mommy, aunt, and cousin. Maybe some day.

If you couldn't tell, Mia LOVED the beach this time. There was a little pool left from high tide that her and Matthew were able to run through without worrying about th waves. It was perfect. And - you can't really tell, but this water was freezing.

Happy Late Birthday Mia

We just celebrated Mia's birthday with the three of us. It was a fun day - special breakfast with presents and ended it with a special dinner (she wouldn't eat it at all!!) and more presents.

Excited waiting for cake.

So cute and great for just the 3 of us.

Happy Girl