Jim's Birthday & Moving day

Corey, Allison, Carlos, Wyatt & Nyah joined us for Jim's birthday dinner & cake. They had us over so many times throughout the summer for bbq dinner, it was way overdue to have them over. Gracie picked out a Spongebob Squarepants cake for Jim.


Here is Gracie's babysitter: Kelly Jo. They took a picture together on her last day there.


On Friday, the day before the move, Carlos, Corey & Allison came over to help us load the truck & get ready for the move on Saturday. Gracie's favorite new pose...

With Allison as well...

1st Day of School

Here is Gracie on her first day of preschool. She's all set, with her watermelon backpack.



The first day was considered a "slow start", having the parents there for the entire time so we could see how the preschool works and what the day would be like for the kids. Here's Gracie with her friend Mackenzie. She met her earlier in the summer over at Danny & Miranda's home.



Singing a song & getting ready for circle time.

Here she is hanging out in one of the toys outside.

Our latest project

Here are a couple before pictures, Jim just starting the holes for the posts.






Just about half way done, the painting took the longest. Note for next time: paint the boards well before project begins. Turns a relatively easy project that spreads out over about 4 days to a weekend project.
End of day one- waiting for another gallon of stain.







Tah Dah!! The final product. Jim's building skills and my painting skills produce a pretty nice end result. He's such a smarty pants. Excellent teamwork. So happy to have a bit more shade in the back.

I think we are all caught up now. Sorry for the bombardment of posts. That's just the way it happens though. We get about 2-3 months worth of photos on the camera and once Celia puts them on the PC, I eventually get to work posting them. Hope everyone had a wonderful and fulfilled summer. School starts soon...

An afternoon at Crescent Bar

We spent the afternoon on the Columbia River about 10 mins from the house. Pat, Tracy and the girls came over & spent the week at Scott & Sheila's. We all met up at a resort/RV location on the back side of the Columbia, called Crescent Bar. It's absolutely gorgeous, the sheer walls of rock go straight up until the deep blue sky stops it. This particular picture only shows about a 1/3 of the height. Gracie had just finished her swimming lessons and was feeling brave. It was very hot this day, walking on the sand on the way down to the beach would literally burn the bottom of your feet and any wind that blew, blew hot air, just like a heater.


This is where the kids stayed the whole time: Jake, C, Brittany, Tori, Cami, Jess and Colby. Life jackets and floaties.


Here, Gracie is showing off her life vest and goggles. The water feels good...


Cami and Colby coming in close enough for a pic...

Here's what looks like a totally random pic, if you click on it you'll see right above the woman (we don't know these people in the foreground) is Tracy with the inner tube and right in the middle of the pic up on the cliff if Pat, exploring the area and checking out the caves across the way. Rattlesnake central...


Uncle "Max" playing with Gracie and Colby. Gracie showing Uncle Pat her new moves in the water.


Super cute pic of Tori and Tracy.


The lounge lizards getting closer.


Colby wearing Gracie's goggles and taking a break for a moment.

Parent vs.Kids Baseball Game

So here is the annual parent vs. boys game/bbq. It marks the end of the season and gives the boys a chance to have some fun with their parents. It was super hot this day, but everyone had a great time.


Here's Jake on 3rd with Jim playing the base.

Another inning bites the dust...

I'm pretty sure I struck out on this turn.

Here, the boys are trying to make a major play against their coach who just made it to 3rd. Six boys all gathered around trying to make it happen.

Jim on 2nd, Allison making the calls and Cathleen taking some pics.



After the game and some food, the coaches gathered around to give the boys a trophy and speak about the season. It was a lot of fun and a good night.

Gracie's First Swim Lesson

Here's Gracie with her swim teacher, Alex. She went to swim lessons every day for 2 weeks. She learned to float, gain confidence in and under the water by diving down for sunken toys. She learned to kick properly and the basic front crawl stroke. She loves the water.

Here they are practicing with the paddle boards, keeping their bodies straight and kicking across the pool.

She's a fantastic kicker!



Learning to keep herself afloat...


More kicking, this time with a new floaty.


Gaining confidence on her back and floating for a few seconds on her own.

"Little Miss Swimmer"

4th of July Weekend in Eatonville

We arrived in Eatonville just in time to make it to the annual fireworks show in Eatonville. Once we got to the school, we met up with old friends and enjoyed our time with family. Gracie found her old buddy from daycare- Sidney.


Papa Dan showing Jackson all the sights.

Gracie eating her snow cone


and sharing with Jackson. Yum!


Three generations of the Doll men.

Celia catching up with old friends too. Here she is with Sabrina.


What a great pic! Jake's looking so mature, where's my little boy?!?


Say cheese! Jackson sharing with Jake in the background.

These two posing~ getting ready for the 6th grade.


Gracie playing with her beautiful magical, lighted, musical butterfly that Papa Dan got for her. Unfortunately for everyone, this most beautiful butterfly broke within 2 days. It was a sad day. Papa Dan did his best with duct tape to fix it. You'll be relieved to know, the music still works.

The fireworks have started...


a picture shows a thousand words...


Even Jackson is amazed, oooooing and ahhhing. Unfortunately, I caught Danny in mid-blink.






I spent the entire fireworks show taking pictures of reactions and family members. I'm pretty sure the people around us were peeved at my flash... too bad.