THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful for junior high leaders and helpers who were super gracious when I completely forgot to pick up Naomi last night, causing all of them to wait around far longer than they should have. What's one thing that you're thankful for?

COUSINS & SIBLINGS

We spent several hours at Jay and Monica's on Saturday at a birthday party for two of their kids. We grilled a bunch of food, swung at a pinata, splashed in a pool, got in a water balloon fight, played on swings, jumped on a trampoline, and visited with them and their friends.

I hadn't wanted to go, simply because I had a million things to do and two of our kids still weren't caught up on sleep from being gone 7-10 days, but we all had a great time. The pictures we took as we headed home aren't awesome because we were losing daylight, but at least we have proof that some of the Weathersby cousins and siblings were together (including two brothers who decided to smile while their sister stuck with the plan to look tough). 

OAKS PARK WITH THE FIRE CREW

Friday was F.I.R.E. Restoration's employee family barbecue at Oaks Park. Two little Ws were returning from a week at camp, so they missed out, but four of us spent several hours going on rides, eating food, winning raffle prizes, and visiting with other employees and their families. 

Tyler was Silas' partner on all the fast, spinning, flipping rides. Last year he wasn't interested, so it worked out well that he had a change of heart, as Naomi wasn't around to go on those rides with Silas this time.

We took a quick picture during one of the few moments we were all in the same place at the same time.

It was a fun way to spend the day!

SUMMER TREAT

Tim and the three little Ws who were in town all met at the river one evening last week. I was working in the back yard when they returned and was handed this. I don't know what it's officially called, but it was frozen creamsicle flavored goodness, courtesy of Silas. Super thoughtful!

THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful for summer nights when our church is able to have Wednesday night services outside. What's something you're thankful for?

WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY

We had a scheduling conflict on Wednesday that required me to drop Naomi off at FIRE Restoration to spend the afternoon with Tim while he worked. She brought things to do while she killed time, but one of the employees, who's a friend of ours, suggested we see if his wife, Becky, wanted to hang out with her. They live close to the office and Becky just happened to be getting ready to take their dog on a walk. She walked over, picked up Naomi, and they spent time together until Tim got off work. Here's the picture Becky sent me while they were out and about.

After leaving Naomi, I took Tyler to a birthday party. On the way there he asked, just out of curiosity, if I would be staying or leaving him there. I told him I was heading home after I dropped him off. A moment later he said, "Mom! This is going to be the first party I've ever gone to without anyone else in our family!!" I hadn't thought about it, but he was right. He had a great time and Mindy sent me this picture the next day.

On Friday afternoon we met with some friends who had invited us to join them at Town Center Park. Three of our six kids, plus a mutual friend they brought with them, beat the heat by splashing around in the water together, played lava monster on the playground, and sat around swapping stories about injuries their dad have had. Meanwhile, Shannon and I sat in the shade, getting caught up on each other's lives, as we haven't spent time together in a while. She sent me this picture of all the kids together.

HITCHING A RIDE

July 6th - Devon hoists Tyler up on his shoulder while the three of us are at Target.

July 9th - Silas hoists Tyler up on his shoulders while all the kids and I are at Wal-Mart.

July 11th - Naomi carries Tyler on her back while the three of us are at WinCo.

For a kid who's six years old and has been walking through stores on his own since he turned two, Tyler has sure been carried a lot this month!

THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful for pretty sunrises and sunsets. What's something that you're thankful for?

SWEET SURPRISES

I've found hidden candy three times over the course of the last couple of weeks. First there was a mini Snickers in my water bottle, which I discovered when I checked to see how full it was. Then there was mini Twix I discovered sitting on the paper supply when trying to figure out why the printer wouldn't work. Last night it was a mini Milky Way that came out with the quinoa when I poured it from the jar I store it in to a measuring cup. Tyler also found a piece of candy hidden on our "W" wall and Silas found a piece in the game box when he pulled out Monopoly.

Devon loves to hide things and I think it's awesome that he stashed some of the candy from his birthday around the house to be found by other Ws!

TREATS FROM THE PHILIPPINES

Check it out! The gals in a Bible study Beep was part of in the Philippines sent our family a bag filled to the brim with a bunch of their favorite snacks, condiments, and treats. My sister's family also gave us a back of edible goodies, as well as some handmade soap from their city and a little bag for me. Isn't that awesome? We already love cracker nuts and those Philippine brand dried mangoes, but it's going to be fun to work our way through all the other things we've never tried before!

THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful that Devon made four loaves of banana bread a few days ago, some for now and some for the freezer. What's something that you're thankful for?

SILAS' BIRTHDAY - 2018

Silas had a birthday last week, so he posed in the birthday outfit (looking serious), had a doughnut date with Tim (looking silly), had the dinner of his choice, and opened gift from family. 

He's not celebrating with friends until later this summer, but he did get to do something exciting on his birthday. Super fun!

BACK IN THE USA

Beep's family arrived in Oregon mid-June and we got to spend some time with them last week. It was a quick visit, but we filled it up with playing games, jumping on the trampoline, dinner inside, dessert outside, taking walks, doing hair and make-up, assembling Legos, chatting, and laughing. I'm excited to have only a few freeway hours between us now, not an ocean!