We just set the tent up in the backyard. The kids slept out there 2 nights in a row. They wanted us to join them, but we were wimpy and stayed in our comfy bed.
We kept expecting them to come inside when it got dark like they did last year, but they made it all night. I think it helped them to know Lucy, their most favorite guard dog was there to protect them. . .
even if she did sleep on the job.
We drove up to Mt. St. Helens last weekend with Jim, Tawna, Candice, Qwyn, and Ashtin. That's one big mountain - and one big statue of a hairy man! 
I wouldn't want to be anywhere near that mountain if it was going to explode. (Fun fact: the last time St. Helens blew was on Lila's birthday. I remember watching it on the news when I was in the hospital. Obviously, it wasn't anything close to what it did in 1980.) 
The trip was extra fun for the kids because they had cousins there with them. Who doesn't love cousins? I think teenage cousins are especially AWESOME.
Its like having a nanny there with my kids. They carry them around, play games with them, cheer them up when they get grouchy . . . its super. YAY for cousins!
I found him crashed like this on his bedroom floor one evening. So tired. Summer is fun. When it finally gets dark, we are ready for sleep. 
I will try to post some more soon!
Well, they are helping out anyway. Rylan and Alaina really love to swing the hammer.
Alaina, Emily and Lila were all invited to their friend Jansi's birthday party a couple of weeks ago. Jansi's daddy works with horses so each of the party goers had a chance to ride Montana (the horse pictured). 
This isn't the first time the girls have rode horses and they were so excited to get to ride again. 
