Manzanita - July 2014

It had been a few months since we had made it to the beach and so it was great to get back.  Getting to go to the same beach town often allows us to relax and enjoy the kids really enjoy their favorite beach activities.  Some days we build sand castles by the water and some days we spend hours in the dunes.  On this day Janie preferred to run from the waves and dig in the wet sand and Clara created a "house" on a large dune.  Now they are old enough and know our beach rules well, we feel comfortable giving them an opportunity to each do their own thing and what enjoyment we get our of just observing them!

More beach...

 

 

Goodbye Grandma Elaine

On July 1, 2014, my sweet Grandma Elaine at the age of 92, passed in her sleep after traveling down the rough path of Alzheimer's Disease.  It was a painful journey for those of us that adored her, but we are content now knowing that she is experiencing such well-deserved eternal peace. 

 I am grateful for all the things my Grandma Elaine shared with me, thousands of big warm embraces, too many belly laughs to count, a love of classic George Strait songs, a crazy sweet tooth, many long chats around her kitchen table, my brown eyes, stories of my Dad's childhood, a legendary Kringla recipe, my middle name, as well numerous lessons of faith and trust in family. But the very best thing that she shared with us all is her love. "It's a love without end, Amen."

 

I loved that she enjoyed Clara & Janie so much!

 

 

 

We are all so thankful for the many, many happy memories of time shared with her and are comforted by her everlasting love.

 

Summer Fun in Dahlia Park

With every new passing year the kids have more and more fun playing outside with the neighborhood kids.  Many are friends that they have known for years and then there are always new friends to be made as families move in and out of the neighborhood.  Christina and Blair are friends that the girls have loved playing with over the summer.