happy birthday, grandpa jack!

it was our privilege to host Grandpa Jack Tippett's 89th birthday party. that said, we're not sure how much "hosting" actually went on. we did so little and we appreciate every one's contribution and attendance. due to a bit of wind, we were unable to light Jack's candles. they have been carefully stored and we plan on lighting them up next year when we celebrate his 90th.









a usual scene...it's a good thing we don't invite uncle tom to be the life of the party. :-) i always get the last jab, tom!

i love this man...and not just because he's hot!

grandma marilyn helps us beat the heat...

we're sure glad grandma decided she needed a pool! it was a special treat to see jim and krystal (who is just days out of surgery on her knee). thanks so much, you two, for making the trip! ryker thinks gabe and katy are "soooo tool" and wants to swim like "gabe-who-is-all-grown-up." ryker and emerson are pretty fond of cousin jenna...hannah...cara...whatever her name is. :-) we are seriously glad you came to stay with us, jenna, and hope you'll do it again soon!










go pick on someone your own size, uncle todd! :-)

fireworks, outdoor movie and campbell sleeps over...

afternoons at the park...

it is possible that we visited a park every day the texan's were in town. a bit of a novelty as it is too hot in tx to hang outside for long. thanks, tim, for renting the seqways. it was a good time for all but those in the wedding party we nearly blasted through. :-) they should have seen us coming. and a good thing those helmet's are reversable! ha ha.

pictures of our week with the texans are on their way from burlie, idaho. ryan returns home with his camera tomorrow. :-)

happenings north of the border...

it was quick but it was fun! mom, the kids and i made a trip to surrey to pick up cousin taylor, who will be staying with us for a week. tuesday i made a trip to vancouver (solo) via skytrain. what a privilege! i was so enjoying my americano and book that i made a complete mess of the trip home. what should have taken 45 minutes took nearly 2 hours. all the better as i came really close to finishing my book! ryan was on the road this week and his work took him to lynden, just 10 minutes south of the border. he was able to pop up for a quick lunch. uncle ron kicked my butt on our five mile early morning run down to the beach and back. i am certain that he is simply more accustomed to being up at 5:30 a.m. yep! that must be it. :-) thanks to dan and carol for a very "good" time, as usual. it was the best burger i've had in a while with carol's special garlic spread, sauteed onions and sour cream. yum!

crabbing

many years ago, white rock beach was aptly named for its stunning shoreline covered in glimmering white rocks. too many tourists wanted a memento of a wonderful time had on a beautiful beach and so today, there is just one white rock that proved too large to carry off and can be seen from a distance in the first photo of em. it is a typical pacific ocean beach with gooky sand, slimy algae, barnacle encrusted rocks, tide pools and loads of sea life to be found and tortured by young frolickers. only taylor proved tough enough to endure the crab's sharp, albeit small, pinchers. ryker was especially impressed by the size of the crabs drawn up by the locals on the pier. the kids had a FABULOUS time regardless of slightly cool weather, an extremely high UV index, a negligent mother/big cousin and resulting sunburns. we love charlie don't surf for the always-open doors to the ocean and fun atmosphere.