Okay. so....I think I'll switch to the first week of the month for the newsletter, as the 15th just took TOOOO long to get here! lots of stuff going on in July. Started with Roy's Birthday and our trip to the Oregon coast for 5 days over the 4th of July. We had a great time. Finally were able to take the kids to the Oregon Coast aquarium, they loved it. (it's smaller than I remembered?) and it wasn't the same without Keiko there. but the Jelly Fish were still a big highlight. We also took some time to go out on the dunes and ride the quads. although the kids weren't too into it this time, not like before, so Roy was a little upset that they didn't want to ride more than they did. I did take pics but used a disposible camera because of all the sand. We bought lots of fireworks and just when it finally got dark enough to let them off...it started raining, in typical oregon coast fashion. not a lot, but enough that I couldn't set up my tripod to get the fireworks pictures that I wanted, so it was a little disappointing.
We did have a great visit with Roy's parent's though, and it was good to be able to spend time with them, to just hang out. I hit the antique malls with mom and found some really great treasures, so that's always a plus. but somehow we always come home with WAY more than we went there with. go figure.
We spend a lot of our July at BBQ's. either at our house, roy's cousin Jon's house or Steve and Brooke's house. it didn't matter, it was the same everywhere..lot of food and drinks and late nights. some of the best parts of summer.
loving the sun-burned cheeks and light hair. definately tells of summer time to me. Also this month, I took my first trip ever the CHA (Chaft and Hobby Association trade show) and although I will talk lots more about this on my scrap blog, I had so much fun in Chicago. I survived alone. the flight, the shuttle, the hotels. never even got lost once! it was an experience to be sure, and although Chicago is lovely it doesn't even come close to the beauty of Oregon. not to mention the immense humidity there about put me over the edge. I suppose one gets acclimated to it. but uh..not in the 5 days I was there. but when it was thunder and lightening that was sure something to see. nothing like a mid-west thunder storm! (I was gonna post a picture from the plane, but realized they are all on my work computer.!!)
This month Tyler participated in a "play in a day" workshop. they performed The Princess Bride and Tyler was case at the prince. it was HILARIOUS. I didn't have enough time to go home and grab the camera to take pics, but it was nice to be able to just sit and enjoy the show. the kids did a great job, and tyler loved it! Also...this month marked Tyler's 12th Birthday. I can't believe that next year he will be officially a teenager. seriously. Where did the time go? He likes to remind me constantly that he's a "tween" although I'm in total denial of that fact. His birthday was Beatles themed. How many 12 year old's do you know love The Beatles? the cake was incredible and the BBQ was rockin'. I burned 75 beatles songs onto CD's for his party. it was gorgeous that day, and I hope he had a blast!
This month was also the annual Sandy Mountain Festival, of course we went, even though it was hotter than shit. at least 100 degrees. we braved it though..and were happy to be there together.
I've been learning lots with photoshop over the last few months and having a great time editing my pictures. and since I posted one of my Sister in law Rachelle last month, I'll post one of my brother Matt this month. this photo is TOTALLY photoshopped (including taking grandma out of the background!), but I still like it, he's such a good- looking funny kid... we were CRACKING UP between outtakes for this. you should see the other pics! he's a dork.
What else can I say about July? we are back to dance, and McKenna has been moved to Pre- Team in gymnastics. PRE-TEAM! do you know how exciting this is for her? her next move is to the competitive team once she's old enough to compete. she's working really hard and it's paying off. she's a star at only 5 years old, it's crazy I tell you (can you see the smile on her face?). 
Besides all the wonderful things July brought us, the kids are constantly testing me, and their boudaries, makes me crazy. I'm so READY for school to start. it can't come fast enough! I'm sure I'm missing tons of stuff...funny how when I decided to post once a month I found myself wanting to post all the time....so maybe check back in a week or so...you never know! CI
AO!
