Fun Week!

Welł, all good things must come to and end, or so the old saying goes.  Our girls are flying home tomorrow, clear to the other side of this big country.  I'm going to miss them so much.  The sticky kisses. The toys all over.  The HUGE hugs.  Mandy has been so busy while she's been here.  She's outside mowing the grass right now.  She's done all of the mowing, cooking, cleaning and laundry while they've been here.  I'm very spoiled and now I'll have to go back to work.  :-)  Papa and I will be so lost.  We adore our girls.

Just look at this face.  We finally took her to the lake to swim last Thursday. It was the last day predicted to be warm enough while they were here.  The smoke has been too bad to be outside, but on this day we had strong winds with gusts up to 60 mph.  It blew the smoke away somewhat but also made the fires explode around here.

She danced and twirled with her princess suit on.  Can you see the sparkles on the skirt? She calls them "farkles".  Gosh I love her.

And then...finally we took the golf cart, (which she loves), and went to the water.

This is Brandy and her daughter Stella.  They camp about 3 trailers down from us and  Piper just loved them.  Stella played with her and watched her all day.  She even sat with Piper while she ate her lunch.  We have met the nicest people since we've been camping here.

Can you tell she was having fun?

On Saturday we took her to breakfast at this train car.  At least we tried to, but there was a 30-40 minute wait for a table. Too long for a 2 year old.  They blew the train whistle for her and gave her a balloon anyway.  She adores trains.  I thought it was really sweet of them to be so nice when we didn't even stay to eat.  Can you see her purse?  She takes it everywhere with her, just like Mommy and Grandma.  :-). We still went out to eat but not at such an exciting place.

They bought Papa this shirt from Annapolis.  He's a big fan of the TV show NCIS and Mark Harmon who plays Gibbs.

Piper has never had a donut...until yesterday!   Papa took her to the store and they picked out a dozen donuts for breakfast.  It was a tradition he had with Caleb until Caleb was diagnosed with Celiacs disease.  No more donuts for Caleb, but now it's Pipers turn.

She dove right in...

Mmmmmm.  Chocolate.  She's Grandma's girl for sure.

She's quite the artistic eater!

On Saturday the girls had a reunion picnic with several of Mandy's friends and their kids.  One flew up from Los Angeles.  Three drove over from Portland, OR., and two still live here in Spokane.  While they were occupied we drove to the lake so Dennis could fill the gas tank on the lawnmower there and I could take inventory of the food we had there since I'm heading up there tomorrow to stay a few days.

This is what happened on our way home!!!  Hallelujah!  RAIN!!  The winds were blowing very hard and we were in a high wind advisory.  The rain only lasted a ahort time but what we got was wonderful.  It wasn't enough on Saturday to help much with the fires but it also rained for several hours yesterday and that DID help.  The one closest to us is still only 35% contained but that's better than before.  We still need LOTS of rain so please keep up the prayers.

Tomorrow is also our 37 wedding anniversary.  I'm heading to the lake in the morning and I'm going to grill steaks for us when Dennis gets there after work.  Hopefully I'll be there until Thursday morning, then home for Bible study.  Friday morning will be back out at the trailer until next week sometime.

I really don't want to be home once the girls are gone because I will see them everywhere I turn.  It happens every time one of the kids leaves.  I can't bear the reminders.

I am feeling better all of the time.  Still not 100% but I'm better.  I still have problems with my left arm and get short of breath but I think my stamina is improving.  I thank you all for your prayers and well wishes.

Piper is waking up from her nap so I'm going to close and play with her.  I want every minute I can with her and I'm sure you understand.

"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken." Psalms 55:22

Blessings always,

Betsy