The great outdoors

Yesterday we got back from our final camping trip of the summer. Our three days at Ft. Stevens were SO much fun! We had a great spot within walking distance to Coffenbury lake where the boys got to have their first experience fishing. Unfortunately none of caught anything but it was a great lesson in patience! We also enjoyed swimming in the lake. We're trying to convince Maggie (our lab) that she is in fact a water dog by nature and should love swimming. She wasn't easily convinced but we tried :) We went to the beach Saturday afternoon and enjoyed perfect weather and sand castle building!
I love making these great memories together! I don't know about you but I'm not ready for summer to be over.

Swimming lessons

After several rounds of lessons at the YMCA, we decided to give the Tualatin swim center a try. Josh came so far and learned so much in his summer lessons! He loves to swim so much and it was great to see him get better and better.
This was Matthew's first experience with swim lessons. He loved his teacher and it was such a fun class for him! Here are some pics of our little fishes :)

Soccer Practice

Oh the joys of growing up! Josh is beyond excited to part of Sherwood Youth Soccer. His team is the hurricanes and they are so cute! We officially have started the many years of practice and game watching. So fun!!
Here are a couple shots of the first week of practice. I love the one of the chubby squished face of Matthew :) Couldn't you just eat him up?!

For the love of our Uncle

Yesterday evening we received the sad news that my Uncle Kent has stage 3 lung cancer.
Our family is trying to process this news the best that we can.
Since we moved to the Northwest 8 years ago Kent and Sue have become such a wonderful and important part of our lives. They are so special to us and the boys have a wonderful relationship with them. They have really become grandparents to Josh and Matthew. Really the only grandparents they know and have.
News like this is never easy. It really reminds me of how temporary everything is in this life. I am so thankful we have heaven to look forward to. A time and place where we'll be free of pain and tears.
Our prayer through all this... whatever lies ahead is that Kent will really encounter the Lord for the first time. We know the Lord is capable of great miracles and healing can occur. When all is said and done what happens after we die is truly all that matters. The Lord is so good and I pray for His amazing love and faithfulness to be shown to all of our family in great ways through these hard times ahead.
We love you so very much Uncle Kent and Aunt Sue!

Aquarium Pictures

Last weekend we camped with the Weiss' at Beverly Beach. It was a great time! The weather was great, the kids played well, the food was yummy... what more could you ask for?!
Saturday we took the kiddos to the aquarium in Newport. They loved the touch tanks where they got to pet sting rays, starfish and even a little shark!

Happy 91st Birthday Grandma!

On July 22nd my grandma celebrated her 91st birthday! She means so much to me and has been such a huge influence in my life. We went to Seattle two weekends ago to wish her a happy birthday.
My Aunt, Uncle, Grandma, Brett, me and the boys took a trip to Snoqualmie Falls to celebrate.

Water fun

Just a few pics of the boys splishin' and splashin'