Update!

We are finally getting this blog thing figured out. Should be fun once we get everything organized.
Can't believe that there is only one week until school starts! The summer has gone by so quickly and we find ourselves wondering what we actually accomplished. We had such high hopes for doing lots of reading and math...well that didn't happen! We had many plans for completing our backyard projects...well that only was 1/2 completed! We had many ideas for family outings and fun time...well, that was partially done as well. We did have fun on our family days, but found ourselves running out of time. I am thankful that we are all healthy and happy and hopefully, somewhat rested (hah, is that ever possible!). Here are some pictures of our summer! Enjoy!

Here are some pictures of our backyard project. We had our back patio extended and added a landscape bed to the other side of the patio. There is much more we want to do, but are taking it slowly. Here is the before....

and here is the after...



We started the summer with AJ playing baseball over the July 4th weekend.

Kolin, Connor and AJ

2008 Titans Baseball Team

And then off to Idaho to visit family for 8 days.

Ally and AJ enjoying the long ride to Grandma and Grandpa's in Idaho! (and this is only 20 minutes after we left Puyallup!:) Thank goodness for DVDs and video games!

Ally and AJ enjoying a snack at Wood River Camp ground near Sun Valley Idaho.

This is our new friend Alvin! The chipmunks were very friendly...as long as you had a handful of peanuts. One or two of them would even climb up in your lap! Shhh! don't tell anyone that they are actually rodents! They are too cute!





Derrick trying to call Alvin over for a treat.



Chelsea and Alvin enjoying some peanuts together!


Here is Ally, Chelsea, Carlos, AJ and Derrick getting ready to go fishing in the river below. Ally and AJ had never been fishing before....now they are hooked!:)

Ally and AJ fishing for the first time.


My mom had a bright idea of taking family photos when we were all together...camping. I wanted to go for the grungy, camping look, but instead we opted for matching polos. They turned out pretty well. Here are all the grandkids....Derrick age 9, Chelsea age 13, Ally age 9, AJ age 7 and cool Carlos age 16. What a handsome group!


The guys acting as they always do....CRAZY!!!


Our family photo...not great, but here we are.


The entire McCandless gang! What a group! My dad did this picture from a video and then took a still shot from the video...not bad. You should actually see the video, it is hilarious!

And of course, the adorable Downey kids! This is the best "natural" smile we could get from AJ.

AJ has been wanting to shoot a BB gun....so Papa John, of course, had one. He was aiming at pop cans and targets, and doing pretty well. Now he wants a gun for himself...YIKES! Not sure Mom is ready for that!

The weekend of August 23, Ally and AJ played in a soccer jamboree in Port Orchard, WA...the Root Bear Jamboree! Yes, sponsored by A&W. It was fun, hot and exciting! Both of the kids' teams did great...no losses. They have great coaches and great kids on their teams. It is enjoyable to watch!