Finally! Now that the basement is finished, we have time to take out the kayaks....the first time this year. The water was calm and the sun was shining...and it was in the 80s...and not a lot of people on the lake yet...perfect day for paddling.



Kevin taking the boats down to put in.


His boat



This is so great...calm and quiet and relaxing



Contentment of this outdoorsman, written all over his face.


Still learning....under the skills of a patient man.


This is what I call recumbant kayaking....very comfortable for my back.



(Kevin was very patient with me as I kept stopping to pull the camera out of its ziplock bag to take photos. I tried putting it away several times, but would immediately find another photo opp....)


...like this one...


...and this one of a blue heron flying low over the water...



..and this delicate blue dragonfly lighting on a stick.



After 2 hours on the water, under an increasingly hotter sun, it was time to leave.



"I know you've finally figured out how to use your feet against the braces to help you paddle your boat in a straight line after 3 years, but are you ready to get out now?" Rats!! I'd just gotten the hang of it after much frustration. Oh well....I will just be all the more ready to go out next time.



Strapping the boats down. Another fun day with my husband...

Jesse sporting his 25th birthday gift from his beautiful wife, Julie. A pair of cowboy boots!!!

SADDLE UP YOUR HORSES. It's Jesse's birthday and Julie has set the party in the late 1800s with a Western theme. See the party below (Julie's creativity is evidenced throughout the whole day...but this posting shows what Kevin and I witnessed after arriving at 7:00)

Julie made wanted posters...clearly, her bias shows in each poster.
Birthday bad boy:




Yah, Julie...whatever!




You'll notice, Kevin and Penni are wanted "DEAD or alive".



Who's this?


She looks a little proud of her crime


Julie set up a shooting range


The sign says: Saloon...No gun fighting allowed


The barmaid shooting Wanted posters.


The birthday cake Julie made from scratch


Draw your own conclusions.


Jesse after opening his Fisher Price Western Town for the 2nd time. (We've been storing this, among other childhood toys of his; rewrapped it for a regift). I think he looks a lot like my dad, Rex here. Especially in the eyes. Anyone else think so?


His gift from Kevin. (An old capgun key fob)


Having a fine supper out on the trail.


THIS is how to eat beans, western style.


Great grub, Julie.


And THIS would be MY cowboy. Yee-haw!

The rest of the Christmas in July report:



On Sunday, we girls retold stories about growing up...even heard Mom tell her story of "Sweet Evelyn" from when she was 15 yr old.



Lori and Alissa at our women's gift exchange.



It was not a quiet gathering. Please note the huge ring Marti is wearing on her pinkie (lower rt corner of pic). Lori was overwhelmingly generous as our host on Saturday. She bought each of us girls what must have been, a 5 kt ring of varying stones. But, you had to be present to receive one.


This year Julie was the recipient of the coveted Rusty Scissors, passed on by Keely. Keely doesn't "do" poems so instead, she did these scrapbook pages.


Mom's kids and their spouses. (l-r) Steve, Marti, Larry, Dee, Penni, Kevin, Deb, (Bill not present :o( ), Phil, Mary, Mom, Maynard, Lori, Dale.


Trying to ready ourselves for the family photo.



Our blood..Marti, Dee, Penni, Deb, Mom, Phil, Lori


Mom gave each of us a Willow Tree angel. I'm not sure, but I believe Mary's was the Angel of Laughter.



Lori took us outside to see all of her flowers. I still believe in miracles.

For the family members who were unable to attend our "Christmas in July", here are a few photos of the men playing Bocce Ball in our back yard on Sunday (which was also Kevin's birthday. He had a great time and so appreciates my family welcoming him in our circle.)
More photos will be published (hopefully, later this weekend), but for now, this is all I have time to post.


Must be a lost ball...or maybe it's just out of bounds...(we women weren't privy to the men's doings, so I didn't ask any questions when I sneaked outside to take a few quick shots.)



(l-r)Jesse, Kevin, Maynard, Phil, Larry, Steve





Phil, Steve, Jesse


(l-r) Zeke, Larry, Maynard, Steve, Jesse, Aron, Kevin, (Dale's arm), Phil

This was sacred territory...men only. When I stepped out onto the deck to take this shot, I was immediately told "no women!!" But, obviously, I ignored them long enough to take this illegal photo. This was ceremony after the game of golf that was played in honor of Dad. Awards were handed out...and the highest honor, the plaid jacket that dad once wore to a hard times party, was awarded to Maynard. Next year he will pass it on to the recipient of his choice. A coveted honor.

THE BATHROOM IS FINISHED!!!! See the fruits of our labor (well...Kevin did all the building, but I supervised, ok?). The decor was a joint effort. Surprisingly, we are 2 artists (each with definite tastes) who usually liked the same colors, fixtures, carpet, vinyl, etc. There was some compromising, but we are delighted with the outcome.





I have claimed the middle bedroom (which serves as our office) as my own space. I wanted a place where I can have my quiet times and have a little retreat. Kevin has graciously agreed to let me have this room and let me decorate it however I want, but I also want his approval in doing so. This room does still serve as our office. (Trey and Kari, this will probably be the room in which you will be staying.)


Newly acquired pieces set off this room and make it feel very cozy.


I had fun with the window treatment.