The Creek

Today we found out something is wrong with our little baby.  Tomorrow Shannon and I go see a neonatal specialist.  In the meantime, I'm anxious.  Anxious to know what is next, what decisions will need to be made and what our family will look like this Christmas.  We could have sat around the house fretting, but we headed to the creek.  It is just a peaceful place to reflect.

The boys ran up and down looking for fish, til they realized all was futile, then they wallowed in any deep spot they could find pretending to be otters.    

We definitely have country kiddos, made so apparent this afternoon as they played for a couple hours with a container meant to usher home their catch.  First, it was a boat for Nicholas, then Dom.  Next, it was a runaway boat running aground at various points along the bank.  Finally, they decided since it was clear, one person could stand with their head and shoulders in it, while the other pushed it straight down in the water. This allowed the one inside to look around under the water and still breathe.  

It was a good way to spend the afternoon...watching my guys just be and realizing that no matter what the outcome tomorrow I still have seven precious children and God will guide us through this journey step by step.

Summa Time!

This is a mishmash of the last couple weeks.  I've said it before and I'll say it again....I LOVE summer.  The spontaneity, the simplicity, the heat, just pretty much everything.

So, here are some of the things we have been enjoying.

Fishing in the evenings ~

All creatures great and small ~

Mags, they kiss every frog they catch...you know, just in case!

Daddy and his crew on Father's Day ~

Annika reminded me we need to take a picture, then let the butterfly go ~

Kath's cottontail that she was going to raise ~

It mysteriously escaped one night.

Morning walks ~

Frog races ~

Testing out Uncle Steve's new zipline ~

Rafting the Blackfoot with Uncle Ben ~

Oh, Uncle Ben, is it scary?

Kath is always one of the first in the water!

Waiting for the right moment ~

Still waiting ~

And still waiting ~

Yay!

Uncle Ben promised he'd be right behind Annika ~

Nickles thinks there is no better thrill ride than rafting!

One another ~

The girl cousins ~

Grandpa and the babies ~

Mud and the boy cousins ~

The 4th of July ~

Family, friends, fireworks and freedom ~

Grandma's lap ~

Saturday Farmers' Market ~

Another creature....a baby killdeer ~

A Sunday hike ~

Picking bouquets ~

Grandpa & the boys ~

"Alright, are you selling postcards?" 
Dad's comment after the 50th photo

Chattin' with neighbors ~

Lunch al fresco ~

Sand lakes ~

Next up....the Alaska trip ~