August 2022

 The kids were at camp the first week of August.  We missed them while they were gone but enjoyed seeing pictures of them during the week that the camp posts for parents.  We were happy when we got to go pick them up!

From the library summer reading club, Emily won tickets to an Arkansas Naturals game for being one of the first 100 kids to finish the goal.  She got to go on the field before the game where they announced the kids' accomplishment.  Unfortunately, it was extremely hot out, so our family only managed to sit through the first 3 innings before we bailed out and opted to head for some air conditioning.

At vacation bible school, someone spoke to the kids about donating hair to a nonprofit that makes wigs for people with cancer.  Both Charley and Emily have very long hair; Emily has always refused to cut hers other than a trim because she wanted "Rapunzel hair."  After hearing about the organization though, both soft hearted girls were determined to donate!  Emily got her first professional haircut and donated 10 inches of hair. 

Before and after pictures:

This summer, we have kayaked at the lake more than ever.  It has been so enjoyable!

August always includes the first day of school and first day photos.  Brendan had pneumonia and missed his first day.  He made it the second day, but clearly still wasn't feeling all that great.

We've had an owl move into our neighborhood!  We believe it is a barred owl.  Brendan was able to get a few pictures.  None are very clear because we only see it at dusk, but this silhouette at sunset turned out pretty cool.

Emily chose the clarinet for her band instrument, and it finally came.  She's a little excited!

July 2022

July was an eventful month.  It started off with a bang - literally, since it was the 4th of July.  Even Rocket got in on the festivities.  We finished off the day at the city's fireworks show, which is always incredible.

Emily got an early birthday present from her grandparents: Jacks.  Remember that game?  We looked up the instructions online and figured out how to play - I had jacks as a child, but never knew the rules or how to play.  Thank you, internet!  Emily loves the game!

Emily and I got all dressed up and did a photo shoot.

Lake day with the Wittenbergs!

Emily's birthday!  She had her friend Charley stay over for a sleepover again this year, and then they went to vacation bible school the morning of her birthday.  For her birthday lunch, she had both her best friends Charley and Jane and their brothers over to celebrate.

The end of July brought Camp War Eagle!  They didn't get to go the past couple of years due to the pandemic.  They were excited to go, and Emily was especially happy that Charley was there at the same time.

June 2022

We did a fun evening run called the Glow Run.  It was a fun party atmosphere and our shirts even glowed in the dark!  It was only a two-mile run, but we all did well, and I was proud of my time and proud of both kids!

The next day, my friend Sara and I rode from Fayetteville to Bentonville.  Steve dropped us off and we rode the approximately 30 miles home.  We did enjoy a break in Rogers, where we stopped at a restaurant we'd both wanted to try.  It took us around 3 1/2 hours to do the ride.

Random selfie:

Bentonville is becoming a bike mecca in the United States, and this month there was a huge bike fest in town.  We watched professional and amateur bikers do tricks, jumps, and even set a new world record.  The weather was EXTREMELY hot, so heading up to Bella Vista to play in the lake was perfect afterwards!

For Christmas, Brendan got a gift certificate for a 30-minute flight at the instruction company where our neighbor Mike works.  We requested that Mike be the one to take him up, and Emily and I were also allowed to come.  Mike gave him a great experience with a mini lesson.  He showed Brendan how to do the pre-flight check and work the controls.  He even let Brendan fly the plane for a little bit.  I have never ridden in a small craft and neither had Emily.  It was exciting and we were so glad we got to go along for the ride!