Yesterday, we had a wonderful visit with Marks track coach (he coached Mark in pole vaulting), Dave Fiscus! Mark and Dave have kept in touch with each other all these years, isn't that neat? Dave and his wife Rosie came to our wedding reception in Madison (almost nine years ago!) and we exchange Christmas cards and phone calls throughout the year. Dave rode his Harley from WI to Oregon on his HOG Rally trip and made the extra five hour journey to Bremerton just to see us!

We had a great dinner on the grill and then a bonfire in the evening. Dave LOVES our property and the peace and quiet it offers. He was able to see Shelby again (he last saw her when she was about three) and met Paige and Ben for the first time! Dave told Shelby that there was only one rule for her when she got back to Stoughton-she couldn't go to a track meet in Oregon and beat the Oregon girls! :)

We can't wait to move back to WI to be able to see Dave and Rosie a little more often than every six years or so (Dave came to see us when we lived up on Whidbey Island!).

Hugs
Jaye

On Saturday, Mark and our neighbor Scott went 'crabbing'. Mark took Shelby with him as she had never been crabbing before. They had a great time and Shelby learned all she ever needs to know about crabs-which ones to keep, how big they need to be, how to tell a male from a female- all the important things! They caught quite a few but only two were 'keepers'. While out in the water, they went across the bay and found a nice cove to explore. There was a rock in the water that they could wade out to and the picture above shows Shelby sitting on it looking very much like a mermaid.

When they got home, we had dinner (I had thought ahead and cooked some chicken and salad in case of crab failure!) and Shelby tried crab for the first time!

Hugs to all,
Jaye

Ever hear that old saying 'The Dog Days of Summer'? Well, around here, it's more like the Cat Days! I snapped this picture of Sassy laying on our couch this morning. Apparently she was quite comfy and enjoying her nap! She is such a lazy bones and is often in the weirdest sleeping positions.....

It has been raining here all week and according to the weather channel we are to be hit on Sunday with the remnants of a typhoon that hit Japan...with weather like this, I might have to join Sassy on the couch!

Last Saturday Mark and I were the recipients of two FREE tickets to the Kenny Chesney concert that came to Seattle!! We hopped on the ferry after dropping the kids off at our friends house (Paul and Ami) and headed to Quest Field. It was a gorgeous day..hot and sunny with just enough of a breeze to keep us cool...perfect weather...perfect music....perfect day!

The concert started at 4:30 with Pat Green followed by Sarah Evans, Sugarland, Brooks and Dunn and then the man himself, Kenny Chesney! We had an awesome time and had great seats. We plan on buying tickets for next year and taking the kids as we know they will enjoy it as much as we did!

Hugs
Jaye

Ok, I know it's WAY past the Fourth of July and I am just now posting pictures from it...but I am a BUSY GIRL! :)

Mark and Dad bought some fireworks for the fourth and our neighbors also brought some over. One nice thing about living outside the city limits is that we can do fireworks in our own backyard and don't have to fight the crowds at public displays. We had a nice grill out with brats, hotdogs, potato salad, baked beans and some super yummy desserts I had made the day before-mini strawberry cheesecakes and bite size lemon meringue pies!

Once it was dark enough, Mark and our neighbor Brad got busy putting on a show for us...it was awesome and just the perfect length (a few years ago Mark went a little fireworks happy and bought enough for THREE HOURS...ugh!)....once the fireworks were over, the kids did sparklers...it just isn't the Fourth of July without sparklers...

Hope you all had a wonderful Fourth!

Hugs
Jaye

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We took Dad and Shelby and the rest of the gang to Point No Point beach yesterday after Church. The weather was so lovely, and the breeze was just enough to keep the heat from being uncomfortable. Mark and Paige and Ben brought their kites and were able to fly them while Shelby dug in the sand and attempted to go in the water....but this time of year in WA the water is still pretty darn COLD! After spending the afternoon on the beach we came home and had hot wings (mine are better than hooters...my wings that is!) and watched the movie "Blood Diamonds". Good food, good movie and wonderful day! We are going to need a holiday from all this fun! :)

Hugs
Jaye