What a great week

Since I know my family reads my blog, I should apologize here for this blog post. I love you all. I wish we could have been together this week. I know it was my decision and I hope you will forgive me someday for it.

We were really excited to spend the week with Aaron. On Tuesday, Aaron took the "big" kids to the Raptor Club at WSU. They take in injured and rescued raptors and try to rehabilitate them if they can. Some of them are unable to go back to the wild - one eagle was blind, another hawk had just one wing. But they take care of them.

James was a little scared of this owl, but it is pretty amazing.

Here are a bunch of rescued baby owls. They are going to be released back in the wild soon, which is great.

This is Tundra, a snowy white owl. Laurel's favorite.

On the fourth of July, we had our friends the Hills and the Beans over for Aaron's fireworks show. The kids had a great time out there. I think we drug out every quilt in the house for all 12 kids.

Caroline did well. She really liked the fountains. And she fell asleep in the middle of the mortars.

Henry claimed one of the tanks after they burnt out.

Cute girls - they sure had a great time.

On Thursday, we took the kids to Spring Valley Reservoir. We had a nice little hike and then went to a park for a snack. Caroline liked tackling her Papa.

Caroline after the hike. She was a tired girly. And I sunblocked those arms, so don't worry.

Laurel took this picture - she and William are always busy taking pictures these days. Laurel likes the landscapes. William likes the close-ups.

Kids amaze me. You think they aren't paying attention to the little things, but that's what they are best at. Henry spotted this eggshell as we were walking along. We think it's a sparrow's. He wanted to carry it, so it didn't last long, but it was quite the treasure while it lasted.

Will liked taking pictures of flowers. Here's some Indian Paintbrush.

James and Henry were worried about alligators in the water. Wonder what James is pointing at . . .

Henry found a fishin' pole stick. If you asked him what he was fishing for, he'd tell you "Alligators!"

Friday morning, Aaron got us ready for the hot weather to come. We got two pools - one for water, one for sand, a sprinkler, water cannons and boats. The kids have been living outside in the water. This is one of the big reasons we stayed here in Moscow - they were outside for six hours today. The only time they came in was for more popsicles and bathroom breaks. It was awesome. No movies, no worries. Just happy, wet kids.

Aaron leaves for Seattle in the morning. It sure has been great to be together. Two more weeks and we're going to Seattle to bring him home (after we go to the air show at McChord).