The Calm Before....

I'd like to be writing a really creative blog post right now.  I wish I could share these fun pictures with catchy commentary and a fun theme.  But here's the truth... I've got nothing.  My mind is filled with thoughts of packing our house and Kyle's classroom bulletin boards, and home school curriculum  and returning library books and gymnastics registration and lost bills.... you get the idea.  What I do have is lots of pictures of August and fun times with family and friends.  We had a really nice couple weeks of respite before the craziness of the fall season kicked in.  That craziness started this week.  Kyle had his new employee orientation yesterday.  Yes, for those who haven't heard Kyle has a new job teaching 6th grade at his former elementary school in Tumwater.  Crazy.  As much as he will miss his high school students at Mt. Tahoma, he is really excited about this new venture.  They called him to interview before he even saw the job posting and since we already had made a decision to rent a house in Tumwater this felt like the Lord's confirmation and provision.  So..... we are moving this weekend!  There will be some adjustment ahead- some really fun things, some harder things- but before I think about that and the 10 lists I have written down throughout my house, here is a little peek into our vacation this month.  The calm before the storm.

We enjoyed the Thurston County Fair with Nana and Papa.  Shaved ice and horse rides... can't get much better.

Luke had an awesome Spy Party for his 6th birthday

Secret Agent spy name shirts

Spy Games

Camping with the Cochrans at Pearygin Lake- yay for time with buddies from across the state

Lots of playing, sand building and relaxing on our own private beach... cause it was HOT

Ice cream in Winthrop

Chillin with his morning brew

A quick trip to Omak to harvest from the garden and swim at Camille's...

... then back to the Methow to hang out with most of my family (missed you Eric and Meghan!)

Grammy Bee and the grand kids

Debbie Dora enjoyed her vacation too

Caleb's getting some chubba lubba

Birthday buddies- turning 6 and 60!!!

New birthday duds

Going on an expedition

Ahhhh....morning coffee on the porch

Luke's froggy friend

the girls and grammy

Eagle Crest Resort with the Bernards.... four adults, six kids and two dogs bonding

Hiking at Lava Butte

Paddle boarding in Bend

Lukey

Isaiah

Jubee and Buddy

Family photo shoot... more of these to come

So there you have it.  Lots of fun memories made and traditions continued and hopefully started.  I kind of wish we could stay in summer mode a little longer and postpone fall a tiny bit more... but, time does not stand still, so I better get to work.  We're planning on taking this new season by the horns and I'll be sure to try to keep you all updated.  Cheers to a great summer!

Happily Ever After

Last month Kyle and I celebrated a decade of marriage.  Ten years seems like a long time until I remember that we have an eight year old.  What a fun adventure our life together has been so far!  Kyle is my best friend and I really do love him more everyday.  The night of our anniversary we went to a wedding at a cute red barn out in the countryside.  It was fun to sit there together remembering our own vows and watching another marriage begin... plus we got to dance!

Ten years ago....

Happy Anniversary!!!

In case you didn't know, ten years is the "tin/aluminum" anniversary.  Pretty exciting! Since our washing machine broke the week of our anniversary our gift to each other was a new washer/dryer in a lovely slate color, which is pretty much the same as tin. :)  And we did get a night away later on.  We left the kiddos with my parents and hung out at a great resort on Oosoyos Lake in BC.  It was great! We hung out by the pool and rode bikes and I forgot to take a single picture.

Speaking of weddings, we have had a few really fun ones this summer.  My baby brother got married in June up in Stanwood.  So fun to see him happily married off to sweet Meghan.  Yep, that's right we now have another Meghan Ann Lentz in the family. (my sister was Megan Anne Lentz before she got married)

Here's the happy couple.

The boys were very proud little ring bearers and took their job very seriously.

Luke and Isaiah- my sister and I made the heart banners

Lizzy and Isabelle were flower girls and sooo cute.  Lizzy was surprisingly a little intimidated by the crowd and not so into pictures that day... that is until reception time.

Dessert time!

Hanging out with Allie

The wedding was perfect- there was lots of burlap, and boots and a barn and a beautiful couple.

photo credit: Charbeck

Family men

We got to see all the Grables- out best friends growing up- and their cute kiddos... what a group!

photo credit: Charbeck

Family photo

So fun- love these guys!

We had another fun country wedding a couple weeks ago.  Kyle's cousin got married at the Grunenfelder homestead.  Again, it was a beautiful setting and a great celebration.  They had it set up so cute I kinda wished Kyle and I had thought of getting married there.

Barns have been part of all our weddings this summer

Hay bales for seats

Brooke and Chad

Is he not the cutest thing ever?

An amazing salad display

So many options

Some cute cowgirls...

Fun games

Lizzy, Brooklyn and Lillie.... little cuties

Lots of fun weddings this summer!  My cousin Carissa is getting married next weekend in Kimberly ID too, and although we won't be able to make it to that one I'm sure it is going to be beautiful.  Nothing like weddings to remind you have thankful you are to be happily married yourself.  Here's to many more years together!

What's new?

Well, my last post was almost 2 months ago.  Kyle asked me the other day if I was giving up on trying to blog.  No, not giving up... the last couple months have just had a few things going on and it just took a back seat.  So, what have the Grunenfelders been up to?  Here's a little look on what's been going on:

We took a day trip to Ocean Shores...

Isaiah learned how to whittle...

Lizzy completed her potty training!

Taking a bow after using her potty

Luke finished up his year of Pre-K with a luau...

Luke got to be the pilot on their "flight" to Hawaii

We celebrated my sister and her upcoming baby boy...

Isaiah turned 8 years old!

He's getting so BIG!!!

Slumber party!

Captain America made a visit to our house...

Elizabeth and Isabelle showed their modeling potential...

Sweet little cousins

We've been watching lots of fabulous soccer!  May soccer weather is MUCH nicer than November soccer weather...

Lukey winding up for a shot

Coach Kyle giving a pep talk

Isaiah taking it down the field

This one handed bandit showed up with his bear and dog side kicks and caused some ruckus...

We said goodbye to our home of 7 years at 824 N. Cedar...

Lots of good times here

One last picture with the iphone

Goodbye house!

We celebrated Meghan and her upcoming marriage to my lucky brother Eric...

Pretty ladies

Isaiah went back in time and spent the day as a Colonial boy...

Lizzy turned 3 with a Minnie Mouse party and a celebration at the canal

Happy Birthday Liz!  You are an absolute JoY!

Lizzy and Zoe

Whew!  It's been a busy month.  As May was nearing and we had yet to find a place to live I was feeling a little overwhelmed but when I thought about all the Joyous occasions we were going to be celebrating in the coming months I was overwhelmed instead with gratitude for all the blessings in our life.  Now that things are a little more settled I will hopefully have another post much sooner.  Yay for May!