Good Time Being Had By All

We've been having some fun around here for the last week or so. I just spent a good portion of the weekend cleaning up from an amazing dust storm that hit us recently. We were all so excited to watch the storm coming in we didn't realize we'd left all the windows open. What's more, we had just shampooed the carpet a couple of hours before! Nice mess, lots of wiping down and sweeping up, but Mark got some great photos.

And the kids headed back to school. (Here she breathes a big sigh of relief and sheds a tear of sadness.)

Claire is starting grade 3. I love this picture because of her bicycle in the foreground. It's like she's leaving the fun and carefree summer behind and heading out for new adventures.

Here's Ben checking out his cubby at preschool. Of the eight students in his class, six of them are boys and four of those are age 5. Looks like it's gonna be a good year.

Each Labor Day weekend my inlaws host what has become fondly referred to by family members as "Water World" at their house on the Columbia River. We float and boat and swim and ski and eat and drink for many days.

Nephew Brian is rockin' on his wakeboard these days.

Nephew Kevin spent a lot of time and effort perfecting his skiing technique.

Claire and Brian and Ben had a blast behind towed behind the boat, and althoug Claire at first pouted and screamed that we were going too fast, I think she relaxed and enjoyed the ride after Mark ignored her!

Looking forward to the new routine and some much-awaited creative time.