CELEBRATING INDEPENCE DAY!

 Mr. 4th of July, himself....Uncle Robert!

Our fireman? My 9 year old cousin with a garden hose. That is all that was keeping us from setting southern Oregon on fire. Maybe fireworks in the middle of 100's of acres of timber isn't the best idea...

but, it sure is purdy!

 Getting the next round of rockets ready...

The girls had to take turns with this sparkler because it was so long and heavy...

 Scott had to help hold it up until it went out.

 watching the show

HEAD WEST, YOUNG MAN...AND WOMAN...AND 3 KIDS!

We headed out to Oregon July 2nd for Abblitt family fun!

I had it hard waiting to board the plane....tickets and water.

Scott told me not worry about anything....he would take care of it.

(dripping in sarcasm)

This was our first time on Frontier but they quickly became a favorite.

They give you a complimentary drink AND a warm chocolate chip cookie.

Yum!

 I couldn't tell because Alex and I were sitting in the row behind, but Scott either stole Riggs' cookie OR Riggs is trying to figure out how to steal Scott's cookie.

Either way...father like son, son like father!

 The kiddos were troopers but exhausted when we got there! Thanks to my sister-in-law, Jessica we didn't have to bring any car seats! What a save that was!!!

And, Riggs got to ride in style with leopard print.

Bonus!

In time to see the sunset...beautiful!

IS IT REALLY WORKING???

I have not been getting along with 'Blogger' for the last several weeks. It would not allow me to post anything. Very frustrating! Luckily, I have a very smart friend who apparently likes to keep up on what we are doing....and helped me get things working again. Thanks, Becky!

But, now there is a lot to catch up on....oh, boy!?!?

ALEX IS TANGLED IN FUN

MISS ALEXA GRACE IS FIVE!!!

She opened some presents before her party...

TANGLED PARTY

'the tower'

Rapunzel's Hair

Brooklyn helped cut out each star and pennant

paper lanterns

Mr. Riggs....lookin' good!

Birthday Girl with her cakes

Making Pascal

Avery giving Brooklyn a 'Flynn Ryder'

(blowing pascal's "tongue" in someones ear)

THEY KEEP GETTING BIGGER

Just getting back from the latest round of doctor visits for Riggs, Alex and I slipped Brooklyn's ears in there too.

Riggs got his 15 month check up at 14 months to make sure his ears are good for flying.

He has lost weight....weighing in at 31 lbs 12oz, 100% and is 32.5 inches being 95%.

Alex got her 5 year physical and blood check.

She is 49 lbs, 95% and 44 3/4 inches, also 95%.

At what age do I stop announcing the girls weight??? :)

10 YEARS AGO

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US

10 years ago, I married a very loving, patient, funny, generous man!

He is my best friend and I love him more every day...

~ our conversation this morning ~

As we were waking up, Scott says "Happy Anniversary! You have been married to this old lug for 10 years. And, I have been married...." Not liking the way this was heading, I stopped him and said, "don't you call me an old lug."

He continues without a moment of hesitation, "...and I have been married to this old-ER lug for 10 years."

...but, he really is lucky I keep him around!

NO PAUSE BUTTON

I have made several attempts to get back on this blog and share what we have been up to around these parts but something kept holding me back. It was quite the transition for me after my mom left post-surgery number 3...which was the same day Scott and I attended a funeral for his friend, Kris. I don't know how to explain it other than I had to keep everything to myself or I felt like there would be a great un-doing of my emotional state and I might never stop crying.

Life is a tricky thing. There is not a 'pause button' to stop everything from still happening. So, we kept on trucking through our life with all the adventures...only I held onto all of it instead of sharing. Out of necessity.

There seems to have been enough distance now and although there are moments that cause me to pause and reflect, I'm not looking for the pause button on life. So, if anyone is still checking this thing....Welcome Back to Yoder Years!