The long lazy days of summer are quickly disappearing. Us parents actually joke that "spring break is finally over"...our quarantine started the first weekend of spring break! It has been a 5 month summer. Benjamin has started two a days with football, which means he is only working on Sundays during football season. It still remains to be seen how much of a season they will have. Not sure if all the counties in our district are allowing football. They have said that as of now, there will be no spectators for the games! Will be very weird. 

School starts next Wednesday.  They are going full time to the classroom, with masks.  Sounds like middle schoolers will stay in their classrooms and the teachers will rotate.  Will be interesting to see how many mask breaks they get.  

 Here are several videos of Jacob loving summer. Jacob has been jumping off this bridge for several years but has never gone to the top. He recently ventured to the top, glad I was not around. He is the second kid jumping! Not sure the height, but guessing it is 35 feet!! The other two videos are at the skate park. I love the real time ones, but my eye sight has to see it slow mo, to actually figure out what he is doing. So the same video, one just regular time and one slow mo.

(Again, if you are getting this post in an email, go to this link to watch the videos... www.welcomeatmyfire.blogspot.com)

 

 I headed to Texas for a quick trip mid July.  We were all suppose to head down there, but with everything going on, I decided to go solo and for only half the time.   Great to get away!  Always fun to hang with the family.  Sure wish we always did not end up in Texas in July though.  So hot!

My niece Kristine came to visit for a week.  Got out and went on a hike to one of her favorite spots.

The following morning, she and Jacob went for a different hike!

Kristine and I went and had dinner at Benjamin's work one night.  He was doing Garm, which means he preps food (not cooks it) like salads, plates dessert, etc.  I ordered a cheesecake and look what I got.  He loves me!

Yesterday we celebrated Joseph's 11th birthday.  

The day prior I took him and 4 of his friends to the local trampoline park.  Then we came back to the house for pizza, games, movies and sleep over.  I was so frustrated because two of the boys were being really loud and obnoxious and I was up until 3:30!  I finally threatened to call their parents and had to put one of them in the hallway.  Fortunately I know both of the boys fairly well, but could not believe that one of them, a ten year old, had access to his phone all night and there appeared to be no filters on it! 

This past weekend our Friday night Missional Community group had our annual camping trip.  This is the 4th year and a great time was had by all.  We were lakeside, so the kids enjoyed all day Saturday on the water.  Benjamin came out Friday evening for a few hours and JR showed up Sat evening for a few hours.  The mosquitos were terrible, but other than that, a great time!!!

I am heading down to Texas for a few days.  This was suppose to be a 10 day trip, with main goal to celebrate my dad's 80th, but COVID.....

We all headed out for some fresh air.  Jacob has learned how to fly fish and wanted to try some more.

Bree loved fetching the ball

I look at this picture in amazement.  Still not sure how they both ended up so close to each other and both smiling!  A rare moment these days.

And then there is this picture...ha!  The wind was kicking up and some were ready to go!

Jacob and JR set out for an overnight back pack trip.  They hiked in 3 miles to a mountain lake.  Other than a storm that night, they had a great time!!!

Now if JR could get both of the other boys to go!  That is probably one of his biggest bucket lists right now, back packing with all of his boys!

We have put up a new fence!!


Look at my geraniums!  They love all the south facing sun

The boys have made a few skate park features.

Happy 16th birthday to this kid!  Hard to believe!  The one who engages me in crazy conversations, keeps me on my toes, loves his job and fascinates me with his love of sneakers and watches!

Joseph spent last week at an overnight camp!  Here are pictures I downloaded from their FB page.

My boys have never ridden the bus TO camp, but one of the fun things they do is the wranglers "hold" up the busses.

Cabin photo...he did not know anyone in his cabin.

Ok, so they never pack well for camp, despite my encouraging it.  So they never have enough warm stuff.  It was pretty rainy and looks like Joseph wore the same sweatshirt all week...at least he is easy to spot!

I had to laugh at this one, because I spotted him for his brightly colored socks first!

Almost missed this picture of him, because he is in a red shirt...haha

My favorite!!

Beautiful view!!

Jacob went with me to drop him off, he loves the low adjustable hoops.

For some reason, Jacob insisted on closing his eyes!!

A few random skate park pictures.  We have had a lot of rain lately, so boys have not been able to get out as much.

The look of concentration on his face!!

School officially finished up this year!  The district has not announce any definite plans for the fall.  I am guessing they are keeping things flexible and will decide on a plan late July or early Aug.  hey would be smart to have a worse case scenario, best case and one some where in the middle.  I think most of the sports camps have been cancelled through July.  I guess fall school sports could still be cut.  The state recently moved to Phase 2 and as expected, our Covid numbers went up.  

Benjamin and Jacob have both had the opportunity to work for some friends of ours, helping out with yard work!!  I love to see the two of them working together and doing a great job so that they are asked back.  And it is super nice that Benjamin can drive them there!!!  Benjamin has been working a lot at the restaurant.  It seems that they want to move him to the hot (food) line, but are waiting until the fall.  If football happens, he will only be able to work 1 or 2 days a week during football season so waiting to train him.  He has been working over 30 hours a week!  And saving lots of money.

I have always wanted one of these and finally bought one.  The boys thought it was the coolest thing!  Now to get them out on the tennis court more frequently and not have to chase balls every 30 seconds.

Jacob, Jose and dog Bree went back packing last weekend.  Spent a night at a mountain lake and caught three fish.  Had a great time.  It was their first true backpacking overnighter.  I see many more in their future.  They are trying to talk Joseph into the next one!

Probably my favorite picture from the trip!!!!  (This is for you Lenny :-) )

Just saw this amazing photo JR took of a rattle snake...not to worry, he had zoomed in on the camera!

And I found out tonight, my days are numbered!  Jacob is so close to passing me up and I will become the 4th shortest person in our family.  A title I will happily wear.  I still predict Joseph will be the tallest of us all!!!