The Ws got one last weeklong visit with some of our bonus Ws before summer wraps up. I always write down three good things about my day before I go to sleep each night, but I also snapped a picture with our Davis dudes as proof of three good things several hours after their Saturday arrival.
Everyone played tetherball earlier in the evening.
Michael spent a little time in the hammock.
Sunday rolled around and Michael spent some time at the piano, as he always does when he's visiting.
This was my view during down time while I read a book of my own.
On Tuesday morning the little boys and I all picked apples at Beilke Family Farm, as our family does each year.
Tyler found the biggest apple of the day.
Michael helped me with some applesauce prep when we got home ...
... then checked on the progress as it cooked.
It was double birthdays at our house that day, so Michael helped make honey lime chicken enchiladas, per the request of one birthday W.
The Dev guys, Devon and Devry, both automatically made weird faces when I took their picture Wednesday morning. Goofballs.
We headed out mid-morning to meet friends at Mary S. Young. This picture was taken right before a bunch of rock throwing, rock skipping, log throwing, and log hitting got started.
We live in such a beautiful place! I'm thankful for parks with trails in the middle of suburbia.
Me, three little Ws, and two bonus Ws on the trail.
And with our friends, Shannon and Ethan.
We all brought lunch for a picnic after we were done hiking and playing. This tree was right next to our table and all six kids were in it at one point.
New maple glazed oatmeal cookie recipe for Wednesday night dessert. Everyone liked it!
Thursday's adventure was touring the USS Blueback, which is docked at OMSI.
Learning about buoyancy.
Identifying underwater sounds.
Getting ready to head underwater.
Devry noticed there wasn't a projector for this changing image, so I sent him to a volunteer to find out how it works. Evidently each glass panel is a computer screen. Cool!
About to enter the USS Blueback.
Checking out the interior of the Navy's last active diesel submarine.
Devry's periscope view.
Michael's periscope view.
Tyler's turn to steer.
Michael's turn to steer.
Devry's turn to steer.
Torpedo time!
Checking out the triple bunks.
The main kitchen.
Wrapping up the tour.
Photobombed by an outhouse.
Watching the tram as we left the submarine.
The sub's propeller has lots of tiny holes on the edges of the blades that allowed it to move silently because the bubbles it generated masked the sound.
Just another view of the sub from higher up.
A gorgeous day in Portland! That lawn across the Willamette was my periscope view from inside the sub.
The last time our Davis dudes were here, they asked to get a closer look at our neighbor's brick bench. I spaced it last month, but made a point to get it done this time. They thought it was pretty impressive!
Devry's turn to sit on the bench.
Michael's turn to sit on the bench.
Tyler's turn to sit on the bench.
Friday was the day to reunite these guys with their dad. Shon usually drives up to drop the boys off and pick them up, but we had to head his direction, so we brought them to him this time around. Tim and Silas came down after work, but all the other kids and I headed down earlier in the day.
Our smiling chauffeur.
Devon offered the little boys a road trip challenge. Whoever could keep their elbows above their heads the longest would get five pieces of gum. Devry turned down the challenge. Tyler lasted a long time. Michael won after 45 minutes.
We finally made it to town and spent time visiting with Shon's mom, Cindy, until he got home from work. Sometimes you meet someone in high school who becomes a lifelong friend. That's cool. But if you're lucky, your friend's mom also becomes your friend. And if you're super lucky, the two of you get to sneak out for dinner together. I'm so thankful to know this sweet woman who has continuously served others the whole time I've know her. I want to be like Cindy when I grow up.
We had plans with family the next day, but spent the night at Shon's and hung out with the boys while he worked the next morning. The three bigs slept out on the trampoline that night.
Tim was already making waffles for everyone when I woke up on Saturday morning. Good man!
Michael was giggling about successfully pranking me. He had Alexa call me, so I picked up a call my caller ID said was from Shon. Turns out it was the littlest Davis dude. Tim was his next prank victim. The element of surprise was gone by then, but Tim played along and Michael was happy.
Just some boys playing a game.
Life skills.
Our week together came to an end, but we still had to take one group shot. Why? Because we'd never spent the night with the boys in their home, only in ours, and had to document the milestone.
