Apple ball

Pictures taken in the dark... Evan does not like picking up apples that fall from the mammoth apple tree.
So, he created apple ball. You put out a bucket and try to make the shot. He acts really excited about it, gets all his friends interested, then he slowly sneaks away while everyone else "plays". Okay, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.
In the end Evan, Jessie (seen here) and her sister, Nickie, all played H-O-R-S-E...in the dark. Jessie had the moves and won. Jessie was in a very good mood. She is 16 and just got a car. Exciting!

The final dip

Last night I had to get another blanket out for the bed...this morning the air was crisp with that, school is about to start, smell. Autumn is definitely fast approaching. This has to be one of the quickest summers for the Miller fam. We didn't even take a big trip! We just stayed busy with lots of fun things to do.

This little pool is the one we put between the fence and the house so Lila Grace can talk to her friends. The big one just doesn't work. It was a bit chilly when she was in it, but she enjoyed and soaked in the moment of knowing that back to the toy outbuilding the little pool was going...going ...gone. Just like summer.

Tacoma Public Library Reading Celebration

Why this is sideways I do not know???

Lila finished the T.P.L summer reading club and was rewarded with a trip to the zoo for a concert by the Recess Monkey Band. It was so cute. The songs were great and Lila danced the entire hour.

Then, we were off to the lemurs and meercats. This is a new exhibit for the zoo. It's called Animal Avenue. (You might have seen the billboards or ads on the sides of the buses?) It really adds to the kids zone. Good job L.G. keep up the great reading!

Happy Birthday Gigantor!

Birthday cake? Nope, cherry cheesecake was the request.
Mc Lovin' the pillow Aunt Marie made him. Lila slept on it the 1st night since Evan went right to camp.
Flash back to the 80's. Remember the break dancers carrying their boom boxes by the Villa Plaza?
Sweet Cousin Abby away from the madness.
Fun day, fun party for a 14 year old boy. He really had a good time, we all did. Now we are trying to master the drums on Rock Band...so hard.

Thank you to everyone who shared in Evan's special day!

A wrench in our daily routine

Oh, happy day! I came home from work today to a beautiful new dishwasher snugly in it's home. You don't realize how much you depend on certain things until they quit on you...the week before a big get together...totally filled to the brim. Oh well, that's when you count your blessings. It may sound silly, but every dish I washed by hand I took the time to reflect and thank the Lord for the running, hot water that we have, the fact that I have 2 hands to be able to wash the dishes, that is a lot more than some of our wounded soldiers are able to say. I've been thinking about the soldiers a lot lately. Trying to be a faithful prayer warrior. Wishing things could come to a successful end sooner than later. Will there be a successful end? We are praying a resoundful YES! Take the time today to write a letter to someone serving overseas. Tell them you appreciate them, tell them job well done and you support them. It will make their day. http://www.anysoldier.com/

Isn't it funny how God can reach right down and send you on a different path than the one you started on? His path-the right path-every time.

Off he goes

6 days, Evan free...Wait! Who's going to wash the dishes at night and take out the garbage and recycle for me? Who's going to close the top window in the kitchen I can't reach? No, Evan don't go! I need you...you're such a huge help for me. You are so appreciated for everything you do everyday around our crazy house. You've really stepped up since Dad has been in school all year. I bet you can't wait to go to camp and be FREE!!! We can't wait to hear all the stories of the great time you had. Really soak it in. You truly grew last year and this year will be no different. You are blessed and so dearly loved. Have an awesome time...with no dishes to wash! WooHoo!!!

Rats! (As L.G. likes to say)

Well Guitar Hero play-offs are over and Big E. wasn't the grand champion. The guy that beat him told him he felt bad because Evan's part was much harder than his and it didn't seem very fair. Yea, that's right it was rigged I tell ya! It was kind of silly that they didn't have them play the exact same part. Oh well...C'est la vie!