October

October started off very hard with us saying goodbye to our dear girl Remi. Chad got Remi in college and she has been a wonderful part of our life every since. We decided to let Remi go to a place where she could run again and be happy chasing birds and balls. We'll miss her tremendously and saying goodbye was very difficult. I know we will feel there
is something missing in our home for a long time.

Cassidy and I spent lots of time picking apples for the horses and her friends liked the job too! They were very helpful...

We went over to Mom and Dad for deer hunting and to meet Cassidy's new pony that Dad had got her. I was a little skeptical, although why I doubted a $75 auction pony in the dark with Pendleton whiskey involved I don't know. I shouldn't have though as it turned out "Ziggy" is a great match for Cassidy. When Dad and I first brought Ziggy up to the house her first comment was "oh look at her little ears" followed by "she's got a little saddle". I asked her who she thought that saddle was for she said "Cassidy?" and then grinned from ear to ear as she took her first ride. I think I have a riding buddy!

Hunting was productive, I got my buck opening morning and Chad was successful the next day. Yay for meat in the freezer!

Of course there were wagon rides involved...

and quality time with Uncle Bryce

The next weekend we got a wonderful visit from Auntie Carmen, her fiance Stewart and their pup Artemis. It was a typical PNW weekend, cold and wet, but we had a good time on the beach, taking Ziggy for rides, and touring the island. I think I still have hopes of convincing Carmen this would be a good area to settle! We had a great time and I can't wait to see her again...hopefully sooner than a year.

We passed!

4 years ago we started to re-build a house....

and now we have a home....and passed our final inspection officially!

Gymnastics

This summer we were able to do an 8 week gymnastics course with Cassidy. Our little monkey thought it was right up her alley and had a great time. The class was once a week and she would get super excited when we woke her up saying it was gymnastics day. She calls it "nastickicks", and LOVES it! Here are some pics of her "best moves" from the day Chad and I were both able to go
The initial obstacle course

Circle time

Bar work, she can get her toes up on the bar all by herself...just ask her!

Cassidy's favorite was the at least 30 foot long trampoline where she got to "jump, jump, jump!"

Working on her balance

the rope swing and dropping into the foam pit

And at the end they got stamps!

It was great fun and Cassidy will be starting the fall class soon!

Fun with Grandma and Grandpa

This summer's visit from Grandpa Doug and Grandma Margie came at a perfect time for lots of sunshine and crab! Cassidy welcomed them with tea, and papa Doug was a good customer while Grandma got cut off (don't ask Cass for any sugar in your tea...)

Day 1 crabbing was a little windy and a lot rough but we were able to bring a few crabs in the boat, despite not being able to get out to "our" spot. Cassidy was able to take a nap with Grandma, we think she got rocked to sleep!

Day 2 on the water was much calmer and beautiful with lots of crabs!

the "monster" crab

Cassidy was able to get her pool time in...and enjoyed showing off all her tricks!

And Grandma Margie, Cassidy, Cadee, Echo and I were able to take a very nice tricycle ride on the trestle across the bay. Cassidy did great on the ~mile ride and still had gas in the tank to take on both Cadee and Echo towards the end.

It was another great visit and we can't wait to see them again, on either side of the mountains

Rain!

I'm not usually excited about rain in the summertime, but after completing our most recent project of getting the flowerbeds, gutters and rain chains done it was kinda nice to see them in action. The rain chains worked and sounded beautifully and the best part, for this part of the state, is that the harder it rained, the better they worked!

Now on to the next project!

Alta Lake

We headed east for a camping adventure! Cassidy was sooo excited to be going to a lake where she could swim and explore and us grown-ups were looking forward to not having any plan for a few days. We did a pretty good job with our time despite not having any agenda...amazing! Cassidy would have a hard time picking her favorite between going swimming.....

Swimming on her own with her life jacket

swinging

exploring

(Cari and I got to do a little exploring of our own)

kayaking and chasing ducks

fishing on the lake

flying kites

riding her tricycle around the campground (which is quite the workout for both participants!)

lots of good food

the boys fishing for sockeye

with success

and great friends and family

As for me, spending time as a family in a beautiful place was my favorite. The rest was just icing on the cake. Thanks Sam and Cari and Uncle Bryce for making it such a wonderful trip! Can't wait for next summer!