July 2019

We are anxiously waiting arrival of # 3.

We have had a great July and early August finishing the kitchen remodel, finishing Crystal's final shifts at work before baby, camping and enjoying the weather. 

With the kitchen  (FINALLY) done, we were able to use more of the backyard and enjoyed some warm summer nights outside with the kids.

We were able to head out to the beach for a fun weekend beach day - enjoying the sand and the waves at Cannon beach, topped off by fish & chips and ice cream, followed by EVERYONE (except Mac) sleeping on the way home. 

In late July we camped with the Shelmerdines, friends from our time in Seattle, as part of a long weekend.  We camped at Iron Campground just north of Mt St Helen's an area we hadn't really been to.  It is a beautiful and secluded area, still with many reminders of the 1980 eruption all around.  Crystal and Elliot were champs during a 4.5 mile hike up to a ridge overlooking Spirit Lake and Mt. St. Helens, and we could see all the way into the blase crater.  The kids did great camping with one big exception - BEES!!  Elliot accidentally stepped on a ground nest and it wasn't long before Elliot and Crystal were getting stung all over.  Elli was stun 7 times and Crystal 4.  Some crying and a LOT of anti-itch cream later - everyone was safe, although Crystal's stings persisted for over a week until they really went away.   Crystal had the epi pen ready and we were ready to abort given the closes hospital was 2 hours away and Crystal was 36 weeks pregnant but everything worked out!

"Elli butt"  "wes stop pulling down your sisters pants"

Rock start at the dentist

Look who LOVES to copy her letters!

We capped off the month with an outdoor concert in Portland and the realization the Elliot was learning to read and write - even being able to spell out M-O-V-I-E and taking a good guess at I-C-E C-R-E-A-M....oh how fast they grow. 

We are anxiously awaiting #3 and, now that Elliot and Wes have transitioned to sharing a room and the kitchen is done.  We are mostly ready, definitely getting baby stuff together last minute this time!   On to the next adventure!!