Where to start? I titled this “rolling” because I feel like we’re finally in our groove. Haley started ballet and this week she’ll try gymnastics. The ballet teacher comes highly recommended, and I loved that she prayed with the dancers before class. We were very happy. JT’s flag football team is going with practices and their first game is coming up quickly.

I am doing the 100 Days of Real Food meal plan for JT’s lunches. I am on week three and loving it. I prep a couple of things on Sunday, and then all week long I just take five minutes to gather what’s on the meal plan for the day. The benefits are plenty: variety and efficiency for JT, who only has 10 minutes to eat, and Haley and I enjoy the meals as well. I’ve been making enough for all of us. In the middle of a busy day, it’s awesome to have lunch already planned and prepped!

Haley enjoying pita pizzas and homemade sauce earlier this week

JT’s lunch today – homemade chicken nuggets and blueberry muffin, veggies, fruit smoothie pop!

Trying to block the sun with my hand…

The rest of the weekend was spent working on the house. (Jim actually did the roof of the shop last weekend.)

I unpacked the last box in the house Friday night. The garage is still a mess because we’re waiting to finish the shop floor before we move in, but I do have food shelves and access to my new garage refrigerator, and I park the Volvo inside every night. Hooray! So I started on the outside. I told Jim that I’m working in concentric circles. First step: stain the front and back decks and front door. It had been recently pressure washed but was in great need of fresh stain and seal.

Since I finished the house, our play room is all ready to go. Sawyer and Ryder came over to play Lincoln Logs one morning!

I had the kids help with the yard work. Suddenly, I had three more helpers doing yard work as the neighborhood kids didn’t want to miss out on the fun. We pulled out more gloves, and suddenly branches were getting picked up in bundles! There were several bushes that needed trimming. We hired my niece Ali to do ongoing maintenance in this department, but I knew it would take a jump start to get going and I had LOTS of trimming to do. Eight hours later, I feel good about the front yard. The back is another story.

Ta da!

The other super exciting thing that happened is that I am now contracting for South Kitsap School District’s IT department to provide training on Windows 10, OneNote, Office 365, and more to the Executive Cabinet. Since I’d like to work there full time next year, this is a HUGE answer to prayer and a great first step. The first training last week went very well.

This is my “I can’t believe I’m back here, and can’t believe how great this is” face.

Before the first day of school, we dropped by JT’s school to see who his teacher was. We missed open house because we were having fun at Malibu. We also took in his school supplies so it would be an easier first morning.

I didn’t realize kids at his school have lockers. Lockers!

The night before the first day, we had all our things lined up in the new mud room.

 

Haley’s school has a fun chalkboard bulletin board in the hallway with the verse of the month. You can also see her bucket in this photo, which we decorated together a week ago.

After I picked up Haley, she was very focused on getting her book order picked out. 

And then I told her she had to lie down for a bit, even if she didn’t feel tired…

When we walked to pick JT up from the bus, it was a beautiful day. We were so excited to see him!

All smiles!

JT gets to ride home with his friends Sawyer, Ryder, and Ella – all first graders who live on our street!

Their official first day photos go in our First Day album as 8×10 sets along with their annual school photo, and I ask them a few questions to add some keywords about what they like. Here they are!

We went to Family Camp at Malibu again this year, since we were invited back as Kids Club leaders. It was totally different than last year, with a smaller group and no grandparents with us as campers. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed beautiful weather all weekend long, great food, and fun activities. We spent some time with old friends and made some new friends as well – even another family from Port Orchard, who we have lots of little connections with and we’re glad to know better.

It is so hard to pick out the “award winner” photos because it is one of the most beautiful places in the world and visited by people aboard yachts from all over the world to see the tallest waterfall in North America, among the gorgeous scenery of British Columbia.

Boat ride #1

Arriving in Sechelt for the night, we were greeted with this amazing sunset and walk on the water.

McDonald’s for breakfast and then on to Malibu Landing!

Malibu Landing

Since the camp was small in size, we didn’t take the Malibu Princess as usual. We took water taxis – an hour ride, compared to three hours. Nice!

We roomed in Kanata – adjoining rooms with a queen for us and bunks for the kids. Awesome!

Loving the bunk beds at camp – two sets, so each kid slept on top.

Getting settled in our cabin

View of Princess Louisa Inlet from the cabins

Flag Point

Walking to the pool

Swimming in ninety degree water!

View from the gym

Haley fell the first night we were there. She was running so fast in her flip flops and fell on her tummy. That wouldn’t have been so bad, but she fell on a part of the boardwalk that was inclined down, so she slid like a penguin and couldn’t stop… and she slid right over the edge of the boardwalk and landed head first on the rocks below. Then she rolled down a few feet and stopped. THANK GOD. She had a visit to the camp doctor, who said he could have done one stitch in her head but it probably would heal the same and it would have been more traumatic to sew it than let her be. Ten minutes after this photo, she was back to her normal self.

Enjoying God’s creation

We went on a family kayak ride one afternoon. The weather couldn’t have been better and we saw lots of seals, starfish, and fish.

Wearing matching Malibu shirts from last year

This is the location of the ninety degree pool. Seriously.

Sandcastles on the sand volleyball court when not in use 🙂

Haley and I split a “Malibu Princess” sundae, which is five scoops and three toppings. Neither of us felt 100% afterward, but the Keene girls are not quitters!

Theme night was pirates. Arrggh!

During dinner, we often got glimpses of this bear family across the Malibu Rapids and the dining hall.

Jump in with your clothes on night!

Sunday morning greeted us a little cloudy for pool olympics. We all rallied and participated: Jim did jousting, I led the synchronized swimming team, and JT and Haley rode the Caribe in the relay race.

After wearing herself out with synchronized swimming, the Caribe relay, and LOTS more diving board, Haley made a necklace from the bead cabana before lunch.

Walking back to our cabin was a ten minute activity, but we had a beautiful set of rooms and logged about 5 miles per day in walking… which helps keep off the pounds when there is dessert with lunch and dinner, and sprinkles on the pancakes!

We also got a boat trip to Chatterbox Falls. This beautiful location is not to be missed!

Final night “Club Malibu” dinner

JT and I both picked out hats for our takeaway item from the Totem Trader

JT got to help bring luggage to the inner dock on Monday morning

And then we started the trip home… water taxi, drive, ferry, drive, border crossing, drive…

Gourmet hot dogs for purchase outside the Langdale ferry terminal. You’re looking at $22 in hot dogs.

Adults vs. children on the ferry

My face after traveling for six hours and seeing a sign for 50 minute border wait times. It took 70.

Both kids had check ups last week with their pediatricians before we switch to someone closer to home. Haley is only ONE INCH shy of the Disneyland ride height requirement, so we’re going to have to start saving our pennies. JT grew two inches more than the average seven year old in the past two years, and we can certainly tell. Tonight he had thirds on dinner and that’s not uncommon at all. They are both healthy, happy, and ready to start school next week!

We’re in!

We started moving boxes on Thursday, August 20th because the seller was super nice and said we could unload some things ahead of closing. That was a blessing! We loaded the largest Penske available plus our truck and a utility trailer and took an entire load to our new house that night. Then we went back to Maple Valley to sleep, and got up Friday, August 21st to the official move day. There were lots of last minute phone calls and challenges up to about noon on Friday, and then all went quiet while we packed the Penske, our truck and another utility trailer, my dad’s truck, and our Volvo with what remained of our stuff. We unloaded all of it Friday night after the seller left (about 8 PM) because the Penske was due back first thing Saturday morning. We did, however, sleep in the house in our own beds because we unloaded the mattresses and tossed sheets on top. My mom had washed the kids’ bedding ahead of time so they slept in freshly laundered, brand new sheets and quilts that first night!

A huge thank you goes to Carl Bonnell, Preston Cole, and all four of our parents for helping load, unload, and clean both houses to make this move go smoothly for us. In fact, my mother in law spent about three days cleaning the new house, and it is so nice to start fresh with our own germs. 🙂

We spent Saturday and Sunday wandering around looking for boxes. Even though I’d made a little system and numbered the “first day” boxes to be stacked together, we didn’t quite get everything in one place. By Monday, we were functional, with kitchen and bedrooms done, and we spent the afternoon out on Puget Sound with the Bonnells. It was a welcome break from the chaos!

Tuesday, the kids had their checkup appointments (more on that later) and we did some grocery shopping. Wednesday I worked, and Thursday my niece and I painted the living and dining rooms. Friday we had more errands to do, and Saturday I went to Portland for my sister in law’s baby blessing. So by today, Sunday, we’re done in the office, laundry room, and bookshelves, and we tore up the family room carpet because it’s getting replaced this week (!). It’s starting to feel like home.

The kids are having a wonderful time playing with new friends Sawyer and Jozie, who are the same ages as ours and live just three houses away. They spend a lot of time playing here, there, and in between. It is really fun to watch them gain some independence by walking to a friend’s house and coming home for dinner on time!

Meanwhile, my fabulous “we’ve moved” cards have been ready to print for a WEEK, but Costco Photocenter is down and I can’t custom order my own template in the store. So you’ll just have to wait!

…And then this girl turned FIVE. Haley is going to a pre-K class this school year (read Outliers and you’ll know why) but she is ready to take on the world. She is smart, spunky, sweet, and smiles a lot. We just can’t imagine life without her!

FIVE

We had a family birthday party for her on Sunday because it worked with Uncle Jeff’s birthday as well, and it was before Madi left for college.

Fresh back from skiing, Haley took a cute photo of me with Ali

Trampoline girl

Madi helping get ready for dinner

Gena and Ali prepping asparagus

Eating with Travis

Grandma Keene snuggling Russell

Then the presents! Haley was so excited to get a digital camera, as she’s been saving for one with extra chore money but it was taking awhile. Now she says she’s saving her money to buy JT one for Christmas. Soooo sweet.

Haley got some other great gifts as well, and the highlight was her new bike.

Of course, we had to try it right away!

Then we sang to Haley and Jeff and ate the amazing ice cream cakes Grandma Cole made… YUM. The espresso ice cream cake in front was my favorite. Ask me for the recipe!

On Monday, we invited some of Haley’s school friends to a frozen yogurt date. The girls had such a fun time and we had a wonderful time!

On Friday, Haley turns five and we move to our new house. She’ll get a full size bed with a gorgeous new quilt from Grandma Keene… it’s going to be a great year. 🙂

Haley has really been enjoying her gymnastics classes. We have one left (on move day) and she is excited to continue in our new location. She bounces almost continually through class anytime she’s waiting for her turn. It’s pretty funny to watch.

Walking the parallel bars

Doesn’t she just look like a gymnast here?

Practicing core on the jump track

Uneven bars

We were home for two weeks and left again, this time for a trip with Jim’s parents and our dear friends the Bonnells and the Schmalzes. This trip has become a tradition and we just love it! (Other families welcome – just ask!)

Boating Day 1

Haley’s favorite day: ice cream at the marina

Boat Twins!

Boys in the bow

Beginning of the week: lots of tubing

End of the week: lots of skiing!

She loved it – it doesn’t show here.

New tradition: kids’ triathalon!

Transition from bikes to run

Six and up age group finishers

Five and under age group finishers

The crew!

Less than two months ago, we were leaving my parents’ house in Port Orchard to go ski and Jim joked, “Hey, we could move to that house,” as he pointed to the house across the street. We have joked about moving back to Port Orchard after 18 years away for quite some time, because most of our family lives there and our favorite ski lake is there. We’ve never been serious.

Then we found out that the house was going to be for sale, but hadn’t been listed yet, so it was kind of for sale by owner. So we toured the house and… we loved it. Then we found out that we could possibly sell our house for enough to make sense financially. So we made the owners of the Port Orchard house an offer and… they accepted. Then we spent a week making our house ready to sell before we left for ten days of camping. So we listed our house while we were gone and… it sold. We looked at each other and said, “Are we really moving to Port Orchard?”

Because we really, really love Maple Valley. We’ve been here for 11 years, and we have great friends, great services, and a great church. It is convenient for all of our jobs. The school system is excellent. We spent a couple of weeks prayerfully agonizing over every pro and con on the list. But when it came down to it, we decided that God could make it happen, or God could shut the doors. We’re just required to walk through them until the end. In the end, God kept opening doors for us to move, and so we are. On August 21st.

Yes, we are both keeping our jobs. Yes, it will be a longer commute. Yes, it involves a ferry and a bridge toll. The kids are excited to live closer to family, and they say they don’t mind making new friends at school and church. We are thrilled to have more space – both in and out – and be able to let our kids play in the woods behind our house, park our boat in a garage, and spend more time with our family. Most importantly, we know we’re where God wants us to be: trusting in Him!

Today is our 14th anniversary, and we’re starting our 15th year with an entirely new season, with mixed emotions and a lot of packing to do.

Artistic Rendering – Not to Scale

The day after we returned from Banks Lake Trip 1, we headed to the Bike Challenge and Safety Rodeo. The kids had such a great time last year! JT rode hard and so did Haley. We were proud of her for racing the course, as it is pretty tough and the age range starts at five. As a four year old, she was certainly behind on age, but she wasn’t on power. She took third!

Then a surprise came to JT: he won the bike raffle and went home with a new bike!