4th & Stone Soup of Sorts

We had a great couple of days around town and at home.

And you can see more photos of Wonderful Us by clicking on the green "4th & Stone Soup" link here or to your right if your on our actual blog.

On the 3rd we went to watch some fireworks that are shot off after a local baseball game. So we sat with many others on the local softball field (next to the stadium) and played tag, football and baseball with the kids, eating some snacks, getting filthy while we waited for dark and the end of the game. What a fun family time we had. The kids got to watch others shoot off their fireworks around us and then about ten minutes after the 'big' bangs started the kids dozed off in our laps for the night. Go figure.

Then on the 4th we set up a couple canopies in our front yard and had many a neighbor stop by for lunch and then dinner. We, and Linda (neighbor) wanted to have a low key day with lots of food, drinks and just hang out until dark, then watch all the big fireworks around our street. What an exhausting day that was, but really satisfying as well. Early on it was just Linda, Old Jim, Dale, Francis and our family hanging out chatting, snacking and drinking, after which we all went to our own homes for some RnR, I even got in a nap in with Jo.

Around five that evening we pulled out all the food, about ten kids were slip-n-sliding or swimming in the pool… oh, and eating all the strawberries and raspberries they could find. We all ate well and played/visited some more and then the fireworks came out and the “kid” fun really began.

Linda had a ball with the twins letting them pick out which firework to shoot off and then she would light it for them. Cole did this with her for an hour or more, just standing there watching the sparks of light shoot over and over again.
One thing we really enjoyed is getting to know some of our neighbors just a little bit better, especially the kids. For the past couple of days now when the twins see the other neighbor kids outside playing they shoot out the door and start playing with them now. They didn’t know any of them before the 4th so this is a very nice bonus for all of us.

If you are wondering about the “Stone Soup of Sorts” for our title? Well, as we set up for the meal, every now and then we would find that we would run out of or have forgotten something for the hot dogs or burgers but then one of the other neighbors would say “I have that, let me run and get it”. Our Stone Soup Meal…of Sorts!

We sure love our neighbors.

School’s Out!!

Cole had surgery a little over a week ago now, ear tubes in and his adenoids removed. We were a little nervous because it is surgery but really wanted him to stop getting ear infections and have to be on medication every other month. We were also hoping that maybe his hearing would become a little better and his speech would follow. We are very happy to report that he is doing great! It sounds to us that some of his speech is much clearer already. His speech teacher even commented that some of his sounds came out clear this week.

While Oma, Cole and I were at the hospital Grandma Marie took Jo out on a shopping spree for a dress. What Jo picked out is very pretty, as you can see, it’s just not what Gma was thinking when they set out for the day. She loves wearing her new dress and always gets compliments on how pretty she looks, even wearing it to Preschool Graduation. The Twins didn’t graduate this year but all the kids had practiced songs and marching so Gma and Mom took Jo (it was the same day as Cole’s surgery). Unfortunately, she got stage fright and didn’t sing and barley walked out to her chair…(laugh)…it was wonderful to spend time with her this way!

Our neighbors had their 60th wedding anniversary this month. Dale and Francis are like Grandparents to the twins, family to all of us. Their family came from all over and some friends too for a small outside gathering. We were also invited to the family dinner that same evening, which was just an honor. We sure love them and enjoy having them in all our lives.

For instance, the kids know how to use them like any other family member…. Many times during each week one of the kids will ask for candy and if it’s too close to a meal time they are denied. Soon that said child would return from visiting Dale/Francis and in hand?…yes…candy! Sheesh!! Do they know where to get their sugar fix?

And here is just a fun shot of the kids at the park. We have not had to many dry days as of late so this day was a good one to get out and stretch our legs.

Just Stuff

Cole got dressed up for a function, don’t quite remember what it was for but we thought he looked dashing with his bollo tie on.Our pool is filled and the kids could not wait to take a dip in the water…brrrrrr. They have been in a few times now and lasted about ten minutes each time because the water is quite cool yet. Cole is now going under the water and picking things up from the bottom of the pool. This is probably the next step for swimming without life jackets, we think this free pool will help their progress along.
After swimming the other day Jo laid down on the warm porch to dry off and feel asleep quickly. Sure didn’t look very comfortable to me but she crashed hard so we let her stay there for about a half hour. I can understand being that tired, I slept standing up while waiting for crab to butcher in Alaska.
We put a squirrel feeder up by the bird feeders and it didn’t take long for the first one to find the food and hang out. If we didn’t have our neighbors cat hanging out under all the plants hoping for a meal I think we would have even more birds and squirrels. It’s been fun watching all the animals, even fun watching that cat.

East & West Meet

Trish and Andrew, from the East Coast, flew into San Francisco this past week and we met up in Redding for a few days of fun and hugs. Grandma Marie the twins and I drove down to meet them at a hotel and from there we had a couple of busy days.

That first afternoon we walked around Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay. It’s an actual sundial and a bridge. Beautiful. We walked across the bridge and under it, then took a walk on some trials looking at the plants and bugs. We didn’t see any turtles but in the creek we saw lots and lots of frogs that were easy to catch.
I like this photo of Mom and the sundial, I laid down on the ground looking up through the hole of the dial with Mom leaning over me.

The next day we drove up to Shasta Lake and toured the Shasta Caverns, a first time for all of us. We had a boat ride and a bus ride before the hour walk in the caverns, it reminded Mom (Grandma) and myself quite a bit of the Oregon Caves but I don’t think the tour of the Oregon Caves are quite as long. At one point on the tour the floor lights (guide lights) went out and it was clear why they were needed. All forward movement from the tourists (us) stopped and we waited till we had light again. I don’t ever remember being in that dark of darks like this before…neat!

The last day we played at a water park with some water slides before we all had to part ways. The sun was out but the water was dang COLD. Cole and Jo got a little sliding in at the kids play area while Trish, Andrew and I hit all the water slides…at least once.
This is Andrew dropping into the tallest slide. It’s a “V” shape and you leave your stomach at the top when you drop in. I swear that you are not actually touching even the water with the first little drop at the beginning and when you hit the bottom the first time you about loose your breath with the sharp upward turn. Andrew went first and he slide to the other side stopping about 10’ to 15’ from the top…Then I went and I really thought I was going to shoot off the other side of the slide as my feet almost touched the top. (you sure get a better ride the larger you are) Then Trish went but not before wanting to head back down the stairs after seeing how close I came to the edge of the slide. Trish managed to overcome her fear and did it…once was good for her! Or was it bad?

We all had a good time and as for me…I’m still a little tired. But it sure was GREAT to spend time with Trish and Andrew. Andrew has gotten so tall (and buff, he would want me to say that) and though I have thought he was always a good looking boy he is turning into a very handsome young man.

Birthday Splash!

Well where did the rain go? It turned out to be a wonderful weekend of mild weather and the kids Birthday party was outside where everyone could enjoy themselves along with letting the kids run and play!

We had both sides of the family come to the twin’s birthday party along with a couple extra extended family members. This was a first to have so many family members from both sides gather at the same time. Everyone seemed to have a good time and like I said above, the rain didn’t really show up so we all got to enjoy being outside. We ate hotdogs, potato salad, bean salad, beans, chips and more. Then the twins opened gifts at lightning speed stopping only a moment to say Thank You to those who gave them. Then onto the cupcakes and out the door to take all the kids and a couple adults swimming, it was a good day … tiresome but a good day.

The kids have really enjoyed their weekend with family and friends. We did as well…and Thank You for making it special!

MORE Birthday Photos

Eating lunch, opening gifts, swimming and even some makeup shots!
FUN TIME!