Summer 2007

Even though it still feels like summer, I know these summer days are quickly coming to an end. This is a snapshot view of our highlights over the past several months.

Isn't he sweet?

Walter started the summer off working REALLY hard to refinish the hardwood floor that was under our carpet in the dining room and entryway. It looks SO impressive, now, but it was a messy and hard job.

Every summer when my parents come home from Ethiopia, we go on a little Ifft getaway. This year we went to Arkansas (yes, Arkansas) and spent a week relaxing by a lake and also went through a cave that was like being inside of Fraggle Rock.

A momenteous event happened at the end of June when Asher got his FIRST Haircut! This place for kids to get their haircut is so fun! Asher got to watch a DVD, sit in an airplane, wear a cape, and all the while never letting go of his sippy cup. What a handsome young man!

A real highlight was when one of my best friends from college came from Portland, Oregon to visit for a few days. She came with her daughter, Grace, who I got to meet for the first time. We had fun going to the pool together and just walking around pushing our babies in their strollers - something we talked and dreamed about while in college.

My family happened to still be in town for the 4th of July this year, so we celebrated the Nations Birthday together as well as all of us kids' birthdays since my parents were scheduled not to be back home again until next summer. There's nothing like celebrating your birthday six months early (in my brother's case)!

Continuing a summer tradition, our small group went camping together at a local campground. It was just for one night, but we had a fun adventure. This picture shows the challenges of putting a child to sleep in a tent. Asher's friends (who were not having naptime) kept stopping by to say "hi" to him through the tent screen. It probably goes without saying, but that nap didn't really last long.

They came back! My parents came back unexpectedly to take care of some business with their visas. Their trip coincided with birthdays so we did get to celebrate together. We also have had the privilege to host an international student at ISU. Mpale is from Tanzania and we've enjoyed getting to know her and helping her settle in to life in the U.S.

Well that's it. I guess summer isn't officially over until after Labor Day, but school has started, the pools are closing, and all of the busy activities for the fall are about to begin.

It has been a fun one!