Back to School

Summer is over!

It wooshed by faster than just about every other year. 2017 in general has been crazy fast. Must be because we are such busy little bees. Already back to school and it hit us hard. This has been the first year when I didn't feel we were all organized and ready to go. Here it is, a week after the first day, and I still feel like we're just winging it. Hoping we get our groove soon!

Here's our 10th grader. Off to catch his bus at 6:35am.😳

Our middle schooler! 7th Grade!

They're off to catch their bus at 6:55am.

Here's to another great year (we hope)!

Ezra's 10th Birthday

Our little man would have been a whole decade old today. Hard to believe. He's been gone so long, but we still celebrate him like he's still here. But, it is getting different as the kids get older. Jeremiah wanted to hang with friends after church today. We couldn't say no; we don't ever want him to resent these celebrations. Peter was on the road home from a mountain bike trip and wouldn't be arriving home until after dinner. Alayna wanted a friend to come over since her brother was gone for the afternoon. And, I was invited to go see some like music at a local brewery. But, we still found time to get together and sing Happy Birthday to Ezra. Alayna and her friend made the cake. It was a quiet celebration, but, as long as we acknowledge it, I don't mind what the day looks like. Soon, the kids will be grown and on their own. We won't always be able to celebrate together, but I hope that they'll always remember their brother on his birthday. I know Peter and I will celebrate him every year until the day we are reunited with him in Eternity.

Happy Birthday, Ezra James. We love you.

June and July

As usual, I'm waaaay behind on the updates, so I'm doing a huge photo dump to speak for itself. Highlights of these two months (not featured in previous posts) include a girl's trip to Santa Cruz, Vegas, a solo trip to Santa Cruz, kids adventures with Grandma and Grandpa F, surfing, and, well, randomness. Can't believe summer is officially "over" and the kids return to school tomorrow!

Daddy and daughter kayaking 

Jeremiah has definitely caught the surfing bug!

Hike time!

Changing the oil

Girls trip to Santa Cruz!

Bike to Pismo

Summer cocktail in the backyard

Friends on the 4th!

His spot

VEGAS!

Eating some Thai food in downtown Vegas

Sistaaaahs

From the desert to the mountains...

To the ocean...

Sours...

My college roommate and dear friend with her new baby.