Rainy Days

It just keeps raining up here!  We aren't used to this, but we are enjoying it.  Yesterday we went to the library and watched a puppet team put on a show.  Then we ran errands in the rain and had fun.  This morning the girls went outside and played in the puddles.

They came in with boots full of water and cold hands. :)  It is so fun to watch them play together as they get older.  Thankful for our girls!!

Happy Father's Day! A fun weekend ~

Josh had Sunday and Monday off so we enjoyed a fun Father's Day weekend with him.  Here's what we did:

~ The girls loved on Daddy ~ 

Shelby was Vivian's dentist and Vivian was a very good patient!

Notice Vivian wearing my "up-shoes" (as Shelby calls them) ~ Vivian loves shoes!

Shelby loves the pool!  This was taken after Josh got out.  Even though the water is cold both girls like playing in it.

Or laying on it once we tell her she needs to get out.  Both Shelby and Vivian were turning a slight blueish/purpleish color because they were so cold!  Silly girls.

Then today...finally they got to wear their life-vests for real!

 We went canoeing at Lost Lake and had a really nice time!  There was only one other boat on the lake, an older couple fishing and they only changed spots two times.

 The girls did amazing and really enjoyed it!  Next time we plan to float the river.  :)

We enjoyed the scenery and the wildlife.  What we enjoyed the most was sounds of the two adult and two baby lunes, a red-winged blackbird and some geese.  The girls loved hearing the lunes, as did Josh and I.  And I really enjoyed hearing the red-winged blackbird. God's creation continues to amaze me.

 We rowed onto shore for some lunch.  Vivian didn't want to take off her life-vest.  She was so cute!  She could hardly get her hand to her mouth.  I guess she realized that it would be easier to eat without the life-vest, so she finally took it off.

 It was chilly, however, so as soon as we finished eating we geared back up and went back out on the lake.  We were warmer with our life-vests on.

The lilly pads were so neat and Josh captured this picture of the flower.

Thank you Lord for the gift of a Father!

Silly water girls

 We bought lifevests yesterday and the girls wore them around the store.  Seriously?  Yeah.  And now that we are at home, this is what they have looked like most of the day.  Shelby especially.  So silly!  Guess they are ready for canoeing and playing in the pool!  I am very curious to see if they actually go into the water with them on.  :)

Fun Birthday Weekend!

We had a fun birthday weekend, celebrating Shelby's 4th Birthday!!!  Adam, Kim, and family arrived in WA on Friday evening and we hit the ground running.  Here are some pictures of the fun ~

 Night before ~ cupcakes and presents!  

 Day of!  Happy 4th Birthday, Shelby Elaine!

 We did a pizza party complete with presents, cake (awesomeness), ice cream and milk.  Oh, and peanut butter M&M's in those little cupcakes. :)

After party fun in the empty apartment at the Bonus's.  SO much fun with the cousins!

We also did silly string at the park, but I didn't get any pictures.  I was laughing too hard!  What a fun time! 

 Emily, Shelby, Abby and Nathan had a fun time playing in the pool at the hotel. Shelby is a lot more willing to do water-type things when her cousins are around.

Then when we got back home (Monday night) Shelby got to open more presents!

On our way to Richland we took a route that required a Ferry.  It was 8 minutes to cross the lake so we got out of the truck and walked around a bit.  The Ferry fit 3 trucks and a motorcycle.  It was fun and we enjoyed the cool breeze.

Nathan is learning to play the guitar.  He is doing very well!

Vivian in Abby's or Emily's Minnie Mouse ears.

Kiddos on the couch.  :)

Shelby (4), Vivian (18 mo), Abby (almost 6), Emily (11), Nathan (9)

We had so much fun and we are very excited that the Bonus family lives in WA!!!

If you are wondering what they are doing in the Tri-Cities area, check out Reliance Fellowship.  And if you'd like to support them, check out the Donate page.

Curlew Wildlife

We have really enjoyed the wildlife here!  Every morning and night we get to watch the deer as they graze on this acreage.

We have also seen some great rainbows over the last two weeks since we have had some rain.

See the double rainbow?

Then...last night Josh saw a MOOSE!  It was right out near our propane tank.  We quick grabbed the camera and here is what we saw:

 This little yearling ran around our yard

 then jumped into the Kettle River 

 to cross to the other side.

Then he ran across the field and out of sight.  

It was a pretty special thing to see!

  

Vivian is 18 month old! (May 28th)

One of my favorite outfits - I am glad it was still cool here so she could wear this to church last week.  

And...she ate a stamp, well, licked a stamp.  This crazy girl!

Vivian does well to keep up with Shelby.  She wants to do everything that Shelby is doing.  They play well together and we enjoy watching them.

Vivian, there are so many things we love about you! Here are a few ~ We love...

• how happy you are to see the three of us in the morning
• how you say "Hi" to us (and everyone else) all throughout the day
• how you try to wink
• how you hug us
• how you have learned to hold your baby dolls and "shush" them
• how much you talk! Even though it is gibberish right now.  You are so very serious and shake your head "yes" afterwards, as if to say, "You with me?"
• how you dance
• how you love to pray with us before a meal 
• how you hold our hands and bow your head to pray
• how you clap at the end of saying a prayer
• how you wave "bye" to us at night before bedtime and give kisses
• how you imitate animals sounds (really only bears, lions and tigers as you say ARRGGHH!)
• how you say Please "dg" and Thank you "tn u" 
• the way you talk: momma, dada, shoe, hi, that, go, get - and I think that's about it.  The last two words you know because we tell them to the cats.  Haha.  Mostly you just say: momma!
• the way you rock on your blue horse and the wood horse
• love, love to hear you sing!  You and Shelby sound sooo good together!

We love you, Vivian Ruth!  You are sweet in the way you love your sister; you learn very quickly from watching her and it is precious.  You like to eat supper porridge, cheese, carrots, bread, bananas, macaroni & cheese and a few other things.  ;)  You like to drink water and that's about it!  Unless Daddy makes some yummy chocolate milk, or there is milk left in your cereal bowl and then you'll drink that. You do well playing with others and sharing.  You like to jump in your crib and on Shelby's bed.  You do well feeding yourself.  We enjoy watching you grow!

The girls lately

We've had a lot of fun lately and even taken some pictures.  So, without further delay - here we go!

Shelby being Aunt Z, playing the piano.  Of course Vivian was Zadok.  :)

All wrapped up after their bath.   

 Play date!

Love this one of Vivian poking her head around for the picture. 

Pretty girl in my scarf. 

Aurora over for dinner and playing. 

We got pumpkin seeds from the library a few weeks ago.  We planted them in planters so that we could keep them inside at night for the first few weeks.  It is warmed up enough to plant them in the ground, so Shelby and Daddy transplanted them the other night.  It was about 7:30 at night and the mosquitos were horrible!  Shelby stayed out with Josh for a while, but he ended up sending her inside.  She currently has 17 mosquito bites (she only got three this night, which is surprising because there were TONS of mosquitos out!).  Those darn things love her.  :(