Camp Day One

Thanks to modern technology us parents get to spy on our kids while they're at camp! These photos of Jonah were posted on the TCBC website this morning. Looks like he's having fun and staying away from junk food (or maybe he inhaled it already??) haha!

Jonah's First Time at Camp

Jonah gets to go to camp this year (going into 2nd grade they go for 2 nights) at Trout Creek Bible Camp. He's grouped up with his two buddies Tim in orange and Simon in blue. We're so stoked that Simon got to come this year all the way from Spain! These three have been buds since birth.

I've been praying for months that Jonah would have a great counselor, and when we got up there I saw a guy (his camp name is Cricket) who goes to our church, whose parents we know pretty well. I decided to let the Lord give Jonah the counselor He wanted Joe to have (instead of me trying to control it all!!) and whatdayaknow--He put them together! I was so blown away by His care for us.

Leire is Here!!

Brynne's giving Leire a warm welcome!

Leire and her friend Paula playing chicken fight at the welcome dinner tonight (Leire is the bottom of the chicken)

Jonah was feeling a little grumpy that he had to play outside instead of with video games...ahhh, the saga continues...

All of the host families for Summer in the USA with our students! They will be here until July 26. We are on the right side (click to enlarge)

Leire trying to undo the human knot! (She is weating the blue shirt with brown hair)

Enjoying the BBQ

Brynne is rosy from the heat (it was 100!)

Ava enjoying the last of her popsicle

More of Kahneeta Fun

Jerry and Louise sent me these pictures of Kahneeta yesterday and I thought I would put 'em up

Boo Boo's a Walkie Talkie

This video cracks me up--check out what's going on in the background with Jonah and Ava (who can't stand still for two seconds--remind you of anyone, Dad and Mom?)

Kahneeta Year 5

As we made our annual trek to Kahneeta (early this year since Jonah has been begging to go for two months) a whole herd of horses crossed the road right in front of us! Needless to say, Ava and I were very excited.

Day one was chilly (dare I say cold?) and the pool was the warmest place to be!

Jonah slow down! (running for another trip down the waterslide). Jonah's gone from not wanting to touch the water (year one) to being a regular little fish. This year he was a good enough swimmer to venture down the water slides without water wings!! Ava also made some swimming progress this year--see that small waterslide going into the 3 ft pool near Jonah? Ava looked at it and decided she was going to go down it! After about ten trips down, she asked Jon to catch her and he backed off at the last second (to try and get her to put her face in the water). That plan didn't work too well and she made the rule that boys are not allowed to catch her anymore, only girls (I guess she knows who the more sympathetic gender is!).

Ava was having fun throwing the ball for Winston and Shadow

Playing a little catch

Boo Boo hanging out on the grass

Ava on Marriage and Berries

(Just a little background: Jon and I met at a college group function at a roller skating rink. I asked him to teach me to skate backwards...)
Ava: I just LOOOOOOVE these berries! They are SOOOOOOOO GOOOOOD!!
Momma: You love them? Then why don't you marry them? (I know, I know, I'm still in third grade)
Ava: Marry them?! What?! We have to be buddies first!
Momma: How long do you have to be buddies for?
Ava: A really looooooooooong time.
Momma: How do you be a buddy?
Ava: Well, you have to help a'chother (each other). Like help each other roller skate.

Fun in Kennewick

I didn't know those two words could go together until this weekend (fun and Kennewick)! I had a great time with three out of four of my old girlfriends from Multnomah (Dorina, Brooke, and Jenny). We met at Jenny's house which was pretty central for all of us. What a blessing to get caught up, fellowship, pray, and worship together for the first time in many years. 14 years have past since Jenny and I were roommates as 17 and 18 year olds! So much has changed in all our lives (Africa, kids, husbands, jobs, life). It's good that (as Brooke said) some things never change.

Hey, how'd we get Morrissey for a son?

Jonah's First Hit!!!

With only two games left in the season, Jonah got his first hit and his first run last Saturday!! He did so great and was grinning from ear to ear! When he hit it we all (the other parents, too) were cheering so much and yelling "He did it! He did it!" and when he rounded home plate and gave me a high five he said "Maybe Dad will buy me Mario Kart Wii!!" (yeah, right!)