Summer Projects and the in between

The summer has come and gone pretty quickly this year with not a lot of time in between all of our times away from home.  It felt like we were packing and unpacking and asking our neighbors to watch/feed the cats on an all too regular basis.  Brett could almost drive to the airport with his eyes closed...of course that wouldn't really work out well if he tried it.

Griffin and Bryce painting Star Wars Legion miniatures.

Brett played Legion with Bryce and Griffin with a Nevarro set up theme.

We had a scare with the '99 Civic when it wouldn't start despite a new battery, but a simple fix of a plastic piece that connected the clutch to the battery restored it to working order.

Delicious lemon blueberry scones.

Bryce reorganized the pantry on a massive cleaning day.

Our garden has gone a bit out of control...we are learning.

Another Legion set up for the boys game.

Griffin made a yummy dinner for the family.

Griffin and Brett shoot baskets at Dave & Busters.

Griffin and Bryce do battle at the Lightsaber Dojo game.

Bryce and Griffin were invited to Landon's birthday at Dave & Busters.

Four player game!

Painting of Qi'ra by Joy.

Pizza baking--Mom's pizza is the best!

Playing tennis at our newly surfaced tennis court down at the park!

Home group gathering--kids connecting.

Joy and Jill drink boba together provided by Sophy.

Bryce helps cut the brisket that cooked all day long while Brett talks to Gabe.

 

Bryce's Birthday

Bryce celebrated his 17th birthday in between our trips to South Carolina and Family Camp.  He has begun to tackle driving and has driven Brett to the grocery store a number of times, navigating traffic lights, stop signs, intersections, and multi-lanes.  More to come as he gets more time behind the wheel.

Celebrating Bryce, Poppy, and James' birthday with a smores pie made by Joy.

Bryce continued to add to his driving practice

Birthday breakfast with homemade donuts and eggs.

Selection of playing Armada for his birthday with Griffin.

Star Wars/Pokemon flavored birthday.

Griffin got a coupon to wait until Bryce's birthday to get these Pokemon cards... a long wait.

Great Chirrut card drawn by Griffin .

 

Changes at Work

 July 1st brought dramatic changes at Joy's work where they welcomed a bunch of new staff coming over from the closed specialty clinic and Paradise clinic.  It was important to set a solid tone of positivity and vision for the existing clinics going forward.

ICC Liaison Journey

Kelsea and Garrett work together to plan things for the team.

 

The team convenes in the listening room to talk about plans.

July 4th Opportunities

We didn't have any July 4th plans and Brett wasn't working.  When we were invited to go to Don Pedro Lake for some time on a boat and then fireworks later that night, we voted to be included.  The boys loved the tubing as Bryce worked hard to be the stabilizer and encourager.  He seemed to really understand how strong he was and how much fun he could have with that confidence.

Two tubes:  Glorianne, Jude, Joy, and Chad on one with Bryce, Griffin, and Jake on the other.

The return of Grandy?

Do we have kids standing up on the tubes?

Griffin and Bryce on the back of the boat.

Refreshing water swim time.

We had Melanie, Don, and Rushanne to thank for the fun day.

 

Bryce Gets His Driving Permit

After a snafu of not bringing all the appropriate paperwork the first time, we regrouped and survived the three hours it took to get through three lines to take the test and Bryce passed on the first attempt.  That night Brett took him driving in a parking lot before his first driver's training appointment the next day.  Driver #2 is on the way.

Bryce taking his test.

Qi'ra is just happy to be inside with anybody out of the heat.

Our vegetable garden went crazy in the heat and sun with the water supply.

Leia and Toby decide to live at peace.

Qi'ra relaxes on the table in the shade.

Garrett taught some of the interns how to make dinner (Peter and Josiah).