I still can't believe that September is here. The summer has flown past us! But, not without some fun.Sorry it's been so long since I've posted last. It kept getting further down the priorities list! But, here we are with a bunch more pictures for you all to enjoy. Thanks for waiting patiently.
I was privileged to pick peaches this year! It is something that I LOVE to do, even if I don't fully
enjoy canning/freezing them afterwards. But I do it anyway, because I LOVE to pick! There is something so calming and peaceful for me, when I feel a peach just fall into my hands, as I take it from the tree. The tree says "ahhh... yes, finally a weight lifted...." and I say... "ahhh... yes, finally a beautiful juicy peach." It is such a mutual friendship! And as you can see, Ellie LOVES her peaches as well. The boys ran back and gave the man a quarter whenever Ellie dug into one... again. She just sat on the cart, and ate what she could!
enjoy canning/freezing them afterwards. But I do it anyway, because I LOVE to pick! There is something so calming and peaceful for me, when I feel a peach just fall into my hands, as I take it from the tree. The tree says "ahhh... yes, finally a weight lifted...." and I say... "ahhh... yes, finally a beautiful juicy peach." It is such a mutual friendship! And as you can see, Ellie LOVES her peaches as well. The boys ran back and gave the man a quarter whenever Ellie dug into one... again. She just sat on the cart, and ate what she could!We had an old college friend (she's not old of course :-)) come down with her family and stay the night with us. What a wonderful family! After all these years, it was neat to see why we were such good friends in college! We picked up where we dropped off, like we'd known each other for years! It was great to see them all! They stayed the night with us, and the boys had a blast with their 4.5 year old... so much so that we never heard a peep out of them, and before we knew it, it was midnight, and the kids were happily, and quietly 
still playing. Such irresponsible parents! :-) It was wonderful to see them play so well together, though! And the following morning, we went to... pick peaches, of course! Now, if only we could get them to move down to Corvallis :-) She's a triathlete, and I had so much fun riding with her... she'd be a great addition to our riding group!
still playing. Such irresponsible parents! :-) It was wonderful to see them play so well together, though! And the following morning, we went to... pick peaches, of course! Now, if only we could get them to move down to Corvallis :-) She's a triathlete, and I had so much fun riding with her... she'd be a great addition to our riding group! James had his first campout as a cub scout last month, and was so excited! Todd's been on tons of campouts with scouts before, but he wanted to make his first one with James special... so, off on tandem they went to Brownsville, with camping gear in the trailer. They had a blast, and are both anxiously awaiting next year to bike out there again! James has gotten quite good on the tandem! Todd and he make a fantastic team together!
But, we did just get a used cross bike for James, and James LOVES to ride it. So, Todd hopes he keeps up his fire on the tandem, and doesn't want to always ride solo. It's such wonderful bonding time for them... no cell phones, no computers, just the 2 of them. I am so glad we have those tandems. And we are so thankful that the boys like to ride as much as we do!
While James and Todd were gone, the rest of us had a party. Popcorn, movie, and puzzle fun. Glenn LOVES 3D puzzles, and why shouldn't he... he's fantastic at them! He started this puzzle the previous night, and when I came down the following morning (he beat me downstairs, and quietly worked on it while I was sleeping), he had finished it. If you've done a 3D puzzle before, you know this is quite a feat. And obviously he was quite happy! Way to go Glenn! If you need anything built, ask Glenn! Glenn also has recently acquired a bigger bike from a neighbor. He went from being scared of going downhills, to becoming a kamikaze downhill! He FLIES down our cul-de-sac as fast as his little legs can carry him! Todd came out, and saw this kid flying down the hill, and thought, "Who on earth is that?" Then took a double take, and it was Glenn! This literally happened overnight! So, last weekend he did his first kids race, and was in seventh heaven! He's growing up fast!
Alex's burns are improving. They have healed completely over now, and has these compression socks that he wears that go from his knee, down to his little toes. We've definitely had a lot of finagling to do with seams, and such, but I think we've got most of the kinks worked out, and they are doing it's job. He loves the compression socks... first they help relieve the itching, and second, they allow him to do anything again! They provide the protection from sunlight, and from scrapes and bruises. So, he still needs to wear them for a year, but at least he loves them!!! He'll still be wearing pants till next year too, but thankfully he loves pants, too! Of course, it helps that I took his shorts away, so he doesn't have that option in his drawer! But he is very happy, go-lucky, and will gladly show his burns off to anyone who asks, and tells them they are feeling better!
We had another friend come visit us this summer from my high school! It was so good to see her again, and reconnect. Ellie showed off her love for Koya's water bowl, and would put her hair in the bowl, and then pick up her head and smile as the water dripped into her face. Disgusting, I know, but so cute! Jenn and I got to go over to the coast together and spend the night at a beautiful B&B. We soaked in the hot tub a few times, walked the beach, saw the seals and Yaquina Head Lighthouse. And Jenn was my guinnea pig that I made go on all the rocks that were near the ocean but had great views behind them! Perfect photo opportunities! It never failed, though, and as soon as she got up on
the rock, a huge wave would come in and get her soaked, and close to stranded! I couldn't stop laughing!!! Of course, because it wasn't me! :-) It was a great weekend, and it was sad to see her go. Especially Alex, who clung to her, and made her read any book he brought her! They were pals!
But, we did just get a used cross bike for James, and James LOVES to ride it. So, Todd hopes he keeps up his fire on the tandem, and doesn't want to always ride solo. It's such wonderful bonding time for them... no cell phones, no computers, just the 2 of them. I am so glad we have those tandems. And we are so thankful that the boys like to ride as much as we do!While James and Todd were gone, the rest of us had a party. Popcorn, movie, and puzzle fun. Glenn LOVES 3D puzzles, and why shouldn't he... he's fantastic at them! He started this puzzle the previous night, and when I came down the following morning (he beat me downstairs, and quietly worked on it while I was sleeping), he had finished it. If you've done a 3D puzzle before, you know this is quite a feat. And obviously he was quite happy! Way to go Glenn! If you need anything built, ask Glenn! Glenn also has recently acquired a bigger bike from a neighbor. He went from being scared of going downhills, to becoming a kamikaze downhill! He FLIES down our cul-de-sac as fast as his little legs can carry him! Todd came out, and saw this kid flying down the hill, and thought, "Who on earth is that?" Then took a double take, and it was Glenn! This literally happened overnight! So, last weekend he did his first kids race, and was in seventh heaven! He's growing up fast!
Alex's burns are improving. They have healed completely over now, and has these compression socks that he wears that go from his knee, down to his little toes. We've definitely had a lot of finagling to do with seams, and such, but I think we've got most of the kinks worked out, and they are doing it's job. He loves the compression socks... first they help relieve the itching, and second, they allow him to do anything again! They provide the protection from sunlight, and from scrapes and bruises. So, he still needs to wear them for a year, but at least he loves them!!! He'll still be wearing pants till next year too, but thankfully he loves pants, too! Of course, it helps that I took his shorts away, so he doesn't have that option in his drawer! But he is very happy, go-lucky, and will gladly show his burns off to anyone who asks, and tells them they are feeling better!
We had another friend come visit us this summer from my high school! It was so good to see her again, and reconnect. Ellie showed off her love for Koya's water bowl, and would put her hair in the bowl, and then pick up her head and smile as the water dripped into her face. Disgusting, I know, but so cute! Jenn and I got to go over to the coast together and spend the night at a beautiful B&B. We soaked in the hot tub a few times, walked the beach, saw the seals and Yaquina Head Lighthouse. And Jenn was my guinnea pig that I made go on all the rocks that were near the ocean but had great views behind them! Perfect photo opportunities! It never failed, though, and as soon as she got up on
the rock, a huge wave would come in and get her soaked, and close to stranded! I couldn't stop laughing!!! Of course, because it wasn't me! :-) It was a great weekend, and it was sad to see her go. Especially Alex, who clung to her, and made her read any book he brought her! They were pals!Speaking of pals, Ellie and Koya have become the best of friends! They have a mutual relationship at the dinner table. Koya will let Ellie lay all over her, and do what she likes with her, as long as Ellie continues to drop half of her food off the table! Ellie LOVES Koya, and looks forward to seeing her in the morning, and letting her inside, and looks forward to laying with her when she's laying down. It's fun to see her enjoy Koya so much. Ellie enjoys life in general, though. She loves 
having the boys dote on her, loves being the center of attention, loves playing with the phones (fake ones DO NOT COUNT in her book), and talks as much as she can! She's growing up so fast, and is trying so hard to communicate with us. She does some basic signs, but I am amazed how much she can talk to us, too. Such a girl! Already loves the phone, and talking. Watch out! Her favorite things to say first thing in the morning is, "Papa." Then when she sees Papa, her favorite thing to say is, "Bye." But she gives fabulous hugs now, and we all melt when she divvy's them out!
Well, our school year has begun as well! Ellie is adjusting from not being the center of attention! The first week I counted down till nap time! But this week is going so much better! She comes up to the table and colors when the boys are at the table, but otherwise, just goes and does her own thing... like wear princess crowns! The other boys were so anxious to school start, the first day couldn't get here fast enough for them! But if finally came, and they were excited to see that waffles with blueberries, whip cream, syrup, and chocolate sauce, waiting for them at the table! It was a great start to a great year! This
year we're moving into Rome, studying biology, and keeping up on our Chinese. Fun, fun, fun! The kids are excited as can be, which just makes me smile to see their love for learning! As sad as it is to see the summer playdates disappear, at least they are excited for the next stage! Welcome to fall everyone!
having the boys dote on her, loves being the center of attention, loves playing with the phones (fake ones DO NOT COUNT in her book), and talks as much as she can! She's growing up so fast, and is trying so hard to communicate with us. She does some basic signs, but I am amazed how much she can talk to us, too. Such a girl! Already loves the phone, and talking. Watch out! Her favorite things to say first thing in the morning is, "Papa." Then when she sees Papa, her favorite thing to say is, "Bye." But she gives fabulous hugs now, and we all melt when she divvy's them out!
Well, our school year has begun as well! Ellie is adjusting from not being the center of attention! The first week I counted down till nap time! But this week is going so much better! She comes up to the table and colors when the boys are at the table, but otherwise, just goes and does her own thing... like wear princess crowns! The other boys were so anxious to school start, the first day couldn't get here fast enough for them! But if finally came, and they were excited to see that waffles with blueberries, whip cream, syrup, and chocolate sauce, waiting for them at the table! It was a great start to a great year! This
year we're moving into Rome, studying biology, and keeping up on our Chinese. Fun, fun, fun! The kids are excited as can be, which just makes me smile to see their love for learning! As sad as it is to see the summer playdates disappear, at least they are excited for the next stage! Welcome to fall everyone!Take care everyone!
With love,
The Dye's
