Fire season

The fire pit is open. We have had a couple opportunities to have friends and family over to enjoy it. Hurray for summer!!

Baseball finale

Baseball season wrapped up today with the final game of the season, followed by a party on the lake. Most of the kids were still eating when Mason decided to go swimming. His buddies peer-pressured him into swimming to the floating dock, doing a flip in the air off the diving board, and otherwise showing off all possible water tricks. We saw the direct effects of his peers chanting "Mason! Mason!" Oh Boy.  

Big Sister wasn't far behind.

I love Love Notes

Meet Charlie

She really wants to keep Charlie. Then she realized she's a little close to the fire with "him" and his shell was toasty warm. We almost renamed him escargot. 

Sunny day

My mom and dad came up to my work for lunch. It was a beautiful day. We sat on the rooftop deck and enjoyed the sun.

 

Adoption update - ups and downs

Yesterday we found out that our paperwork was making record time. It was already on its way to Washington DC--which means that we had a chance to go to court before "rainy season," assuming that rainy season (which is chosen with unpublished logic) was similar to last year (mid August through early October). But...today we found out that, although our paperwork is speedy, the government has decided to close from July 6 through middle of October, pretty much eliminating the possibility of a court hearing before that day. (I did look up historical rain and June is a typically rainy month as well--this makes no sense to me.) Also, as of September 1 new rules go into place, so there are additional hurdles we have to jump through because we didn't make the pre-rainy-season date. Looking more like the first trip will be in November and the second trip in January or February to bring him home. :(

Fresh start

Cindy "volunteered" (with some assistance) to be team photographer for Mason's new soccer team. How convenient for our blog! 

Adoption update--Before the rain?

I got our I171H notarized and shipped off today. I asked if we have hope for getting to court before the rainy season closes them for 3 months. She said "you have hope but it'd be a squeaker." We have everything done on our end so now we pray for a squeaker.

Bruno

Growing up...

It's not cold...

Field of dreams

Happy birthday Grammy

Grammy celebrates turning 80 this month, so we got started early and have a couple more events planned. Tonight it was adults only in Gig Harbor...well, as loose as that description might be used...