July 2007 update (a little late)

Well, I figure it is August now, & I never wrote our July update – so here it is… First of all to answer everyone’s question (since it is the question we get asked all the time now) “No, our house isn’t up for sale yet.” Yes, it has taken us longer than we hoped/thought to get everything fixed up & we are still hoping to get it done & up by the end of this month. Things are selling/showing very slow in our area this year – so we will see how long it takes us to sell – if we sell this fall –Great! - if we don’t sell until next spring that won’t kill us either.

Well, I lied in my last update – I said, “ Summer had finally come to the Northwest” – well that was a lie-- we had two weeks of sunny weather in July & then it was cloudy & rainy for two weeks. Then last week, when mom & gang came to visit – it was sunny & warm—but the day they left & everyday since it’s been cloudy & drizzly. Here it is August, & we had three weeks of warm weather for the whole summer :( Today it is all cloudy & chilly & looks like it might rain any second. This is really strange weather for up here – normally July & August are warm & sunny (our only warm & sunny months). Anyways, well that’s the weather report for the northwest -I guess I am more into the weather this year since we are moving.

July was a busy & fun month. We had a summer party/moving party for the girls on July 14—(& it was a great sunny day – we lucked out because there have only been two sunny weekends all summer & that was one of them). Anyways, we had 30 kids at the party & we played games & had treats, & had pony rides for the kids. I think everyone had a great time. I’ll post some pictures in a little bit (this computer is being weird so I’ll have to post the pictures from Don’s laptop.) Michael, Katie & kids came up for the party. It was fun having them up & they helped a lot with setting up decorations & games, etc. Then a couple days later, Audrey stayed with us for a few days. Audrey is a cousin from Don’s side & they been in Viet Nam for the past six months – so it was fun seeing/visiting with her & the girls had fun playing with her. Then the next week Mom, Diane, Teresa, Kayla, Kendra & Kirsten came up to visit for three days. The first night we had a going away party for our neighbors (the Gartz) who are moving to Utah. We are going to miss them. Then on Tuesday, we went swimming & to the zoo. Wednesday, we went to the park & took a train ride, & Thursday, we saw a movie & let the kids just play around the house. We broke tradition, usually anyone that comes up to visit us – we always take them to the beach, but the little girls were tired of driving & everyone felt 2 ½ hours to the beach & 2 ½ hours back – might be too much driving for the little girls. It was nice to see them all, & we wished they could have stayed longer.

The girls start outdoor swim lessons today… last month they were taking it indoors, but we had to switch due to time conflicts… So hopefully the pool is warm, because it is only 56 degrees right now. The girls are still taking gymnastics. Courtney’s practicing with the level 4 team this year. This week we will be doing a lot of reading since the summer reading program ends in few day & the girls want to get their prizes. Don started a new interpreting job at the Western Culinary Institute – Le Cordon Bleu Program. There are two & soon to be four deaf students going there. So Don is thrilled to be interpreting there & learning about cooking for free since he loves to cook (well actually because he’s working, they are actually paying him to be there).

Well, my two youngest are crying & making me crazy so I better go & tend to them. We would love to have more summer visitors in August/Sept -- maybe you can bring us some sunshine:).