I was homecoming dance last night and Abbie and her girlfriends all went together. They took pictures down by Drake Park and dinner at Noi Thai. It was Rio theme and the girls had a fun time.
The summer went by so fast and we didn’t get up to little crater campground on Paulina lake, so I booked a campsite for the last weekend in September. The weather this fall has been great and held through the weekend, even with the higher altitude/cooler temps. PJ, Noah and I all took a dip in the lake. Likely the last lake dip of the season.
PJ and I hiked the summit between the 2 lakes.
Tried some new recipes out of a book Kelly had got me. Lots of fun cooking and eating around camp. PJ found these 2 little cast iron pans we have had since they were kids so he was doing small food cooks on them too.
See you next year little crater campground.
Noah, my cousin came to visit. He’s serving the Air Force and currently stationed in Okinawa. For the next two months he is in Washington on assignment. He brought his friend Braden along, and we had the best time together.
We’ve only had a a handful of times together over the years, so reconnecting was really special. Our boys loved every minute with him. Going to church, sitting around the fire, hiking on Sunday, grabbing lunch downtown, flips on the trampoline and playing games. They especially loved discovering how much Noah shares their love of the outdoors. It felt like they’ve known each other forever, even though they’ve only had a little bit of time together.
One of the things we admire most about Noah is how attentive he is. He listens to the kids, ask questions, and makes everyone feel valued.
The boys are hoping that after his time in Okinawa, he’ll be stationed in the northwest so we can see more of him.
We’ve only had a a handful of times together over the years, so reconnecting was really special. Our boys loved every minute with him. Going to church, sitting around the fire, hiking on Sunday, grabbing lunch downtown, flips on the trampoline and playing games. They especially loved discovering how much Noah shares their love of the outdoors. It felt like they’ve known each other forever, even though they’ve only had a little bit of time together.
One of the things we admire most about Noah is how attentive he is. He listens to the kids, ask questions, and makes everyone feel valued.
The boys are hoping that after his time in Okinawa, he’ll be stationed in the northwest so we can see more of him.
Until next time, Noah enjoy every bit of this next season and all that God has in store for you. Who knows maybe the Donaldsons might come visit you in Japan.
Abbie decided to just focus on high school cheer this year. With starting her junior year along with working and cheer, one cheer team is plenty. Abbie is working at a local coffee shop called Coffee Republic and works before school. She loves her job and we love all the yummy drinks she makes us.
Last “first day” vibes all around!
📚 Preston is kicking off his 8th grade year, and last year of middle school!
🎒 Abbie’s first day of junior year, here she comes!
🎓 Noah’s last first day of high school. Here
comes his senior year!
Proud of each of them as they step into this new season. 💙
Earlier this summer Hunter was at Walmart and as he was driving out he saw a puppy in a cardboard box that someone had abandoned so he rescued in and brought him home. We encouraged him to give him up for adoption at the Humane Society, but he wanted a dog. We have all fallen in love with him. You will notice how he has grown over the past few months!
Holly and Duke get along great. I think Holly has lost weight keeping up with a puppy. (biting her ears and tail all the time).
Abbie and I headed down to California for a last quick trip before school started. We got to be there for Charlotte’s 10th birthday, which was really special. We also got to see California Baptist University. This is the year we will be looking at colleges for both Noah and Abbie. While we were there, we got to see Bob and Nancy and Colleen who were visiting and also Jamie and WanYe, who are right up the road from CBU. It’s always so fun going home and getting to see family.
When you get a few clouds in the evening sunsets can be spectacular.
The first set was from July on our back deck. The second set was late August when Kelly and I hiked the trail just outside of our neighborhood.
What a fun week we had with Erin, LuLu, Charlotte and Anna. The girls signed up for a horse camp and loved every minute of it. It was so fun to all be together.
We told Noah he should take up diving in college. He says he doesn’t do diving boards. Only cliff’s and bridges :)