Raspberry Jam

When my parents came over last year it was raspberry season.  So my mom showed me how to make jam.  Wow...who knew it was so easy?!  

This year when we got back from Spokane, the raspberries were in FULL season!  The girls said they would help me make the jam.

We got the berries....

Mushed them all up....

We mixed the sure-gel, cooked it up a bit, mixed in the berries and VOILA......JAM!!!! :)  

Oh YUMMMMYYYYYYYY!!!!! Hope this all lasts us until next July?!?!

Grams and Gramps

We headed out to Deer Park for some camping at Grams and Gramps' house.

Charlie LOVED being off-leash and have some freedom to roam!  He only got into trouble when he chased the wild turkeys and their babies!! :)  He REALLY liked them!

We got to give hugs to Grams and Gramps and play around on their property.  The girls especially LOVED going on a daily "doodle bug" (4-wheeler) ride with Gramps to feed the neighbors' horses some carrots.

It got REALLY hot....so we put up the pool!!!

And one day we went to "FUNLAND".....we started with the bumper boats.  

Avery got SOAKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We also had some campfire time...love the first s'mores of the season!!!

Cousin Mallory danced for about 15 years and had collected MANY costumes.  She was cleaning out some things and found them all.  She asked if the girls might be interested in them.  OMG!!!!!  Hours of entertainment.....dressing up, performing, etc!!!  They were thrilled!!!  And on  the 4th of July we were treated with a "SHOW". :)

Annalise became a bit accident prone and we thought it might be time to start heading home! :)

Avery took great care of her.  Once the first aid part was finished, she took over and read and snuggled with the little patient.

We had a good time hanging out in Deer Park....

We helped Grams water and pick strawberries from her garden....

....and especially loved the daily doodle bug rides....

It was hard to leave Spokane.  This time more than any other.

Grandma and Grandpa

It felt so good to FINALLY be in Spokane.  We started our trip at Grandma and Grandpas....and we stayed a whole week!!!!  We got in LOTS of hugs.....

Charlie loved Grandma and Grandpa's big fenced in yard.  Lots of LUSH green grass to lay in when it got hot!!!  Plus...it seemed there was ALWAYS someone to come and throw his "yuck ball" for him!!! :)

The weather was good....warm enough to break out the slip n'slide!!!  Good times!

 The water was just a little cold!! 

 

Grandma and Grandpa even got in a little game of softball!! :)

 Charlie wanted to be right in the middle of things!!!

We had a great visit with Grandma and Grandpa!!!  The week went REALLY fast....we probably would have stayed longer if we weren't so worried about wearing them out!!!  We can be a bit much!!

Going Home....

June was a rough month for our family health-wise.

Mark's Mom got some terrible news that her cancer had come back.  She went in for another surgery at the beginning of the month.  Luckily Mark was able to be there with her when she had her surgery and help out for a day or two afterwards when she got home.  She is slowly recovering....but SLOWLY is the key word.  She'd like it to be faster! :)  BUT...she is walking each day and is even ready to get back on her bike!!!  She is awaiting news on her course of chemo....fingers (and toes) are all crossed that it's the shortest bit possible.

My Mom retired from her job at the ESD after over 30 years on Friday, June 1st.  On that following Tuesday she was admitted into the hospital with pneumonia, dehydration, gout and sepsis.  Her transplanted kidney took a hit and she even needed to do some dialysis.  As it turned out....she was in the hospital the same time Mark's mom was.  I am so thankful he was there to go and be with her during that time as well.

It's during times like these when we feel so far away from Spokane.
We love our life here in Ferndale and are so grateful for the wonderful jobs and friends we have here.  But in these times of need....we wished we were there.  To help out, talk to, and HUG our family.  We finally ALL got to go at the end of the month. 

Mmmmm....Berries!!!!

You know that summer has arrived when we start getting our strawberries!!!

They don't last long....maybe a few weeks....but we were getting a couple bowls like this each week.  Yummmmmmmmm!!!!!

Women Seattle Sounders

Avery LOVES soccer.

For her birthday, we and her Auntie Robin and Uncle Geoff decided we would all go to a WOMEN'S Seattle Sounder game and she could bring a friend.

She brought her friend Kaelee (a fellow soccer fan!! : ) ) and we headed down to Tukwila for their final home game.  It was also the 4 Olympic team members' last game before heading to the Olympic trials.  It was great!!!

Unfortunately Uncle Geoff got sick and couldn't join us....but the rest of us had a great time!!

Well...Annalise didn't have the greatest time.  She wasn't very into the game and ended up playing with some kids up at the top of the bleachers for most of the second half.

They played the Santa Clarita Blue Heat.....

And they WON!!!!!  4-0!! Yeah Sounders!!!

Towards the end of the game, the girls headed down to "line up" outside the stadium for autographs.  The team comes through with Sharpies and very graciously signs whatever items the HUNDREDS of girls (and boys...but mostly little girl soccer fans!) have brought with them.

Avery and Kaelee had a great spot!!!  And they even held strong when the other pushy little girls came down and wanted in! :)

And here they come.....

And the player EVERYONE was waiting for......HOPE SOLO!!! 

(Insert young girl squeals and shrieks of joy!!) 

Avery had a great time!  It was a fun day and we will definitely do it again!!