northwest July

July flew by. I looked so forward to it, and now it is gone. To celebrate the fourth we took the Rumps with us to the coast. The drive down took us about 5 + hrs, I guess everyone was going to the coast for the holiday weekend. We enjoyed the cool air and then, on the 4th, drove to St Paul to attend the Rodeo, complete with fireworks. We had good seats for the rodeo show but the sun was in our eyes and very hot. Remember when we never had any warm weather until after the fourth of July. Well things have changed.

One cloudy day we drove up the gorge. We tried to go up to Cascade Locks to see a,new to us ,museum but the side road was closed so rather than retracing out steps on the crowded highway we came home. I think this was the last day I wore a sweater around home this month.

On the 15th, Alex and Alysha came to visit. They went right to work helping grandma and grandpa.

We heard that Alex would prefer to work for grandma next time he comes. Thanks to both of you for helping us out. However we had fun in the afternoons and evenings with the cousins. We visited down town Portland, rode the train and the new tram. We went swimming, attended a Beavers baseball game and a parade in Sherwood.

The boys were watching for foul balls.

Sherwood is a small town, do you think the kids will fill these bags with candy?

Sunday we took a tour of the temple grounds. Nice and cool by the fountains.

Jeff, Debbie and Brittany arrived and we took off for the coast to avoid all the hot weather.

Three amigos, and a serious photographer.

Yes that is Alex way at the top of the rock, Don't you think he should join a rock climbing group?

Yes we did have one sunny day. Here we are soaking up the rays.

The girls kept us entertained with the cup clapping game. Something they learned at camp.

The usual activities kept us all happy, a visit to the aquarium, beach fires and smores, games and books to read. We did have an unexpected visit from a Raccoon. He came in to eat Patches food and to investigate our garbage. Brave Grandma chased him out the door, when her calls to grandpa failed to make him wake up. Those sleeping pills really work.


July ended with a big birthday party for Alysha. The kids provided the entertainment, skits and Harry Potter wand waving.



I need to learn how to crop the pictures, or keep Jeff out of the kids pictures.

July was terrific, sorry to see it go. Love to all of you. Grandma