Dahlias

 Daniel researched and then constructed these amazing flower boxes for a cutting garden. He then planted a ton of flowers. After a rocky start, the beds were reaching temps of over 100 degrees, we ended up with some gorgeous flowers. Mostly dahlias, but a few others as well.

Grandma Murphy's Birthday

    There were plans for a reunion for Grandma Murphy's 95th birthday in California, but with Covid and health problems it was canceled.  Devon had summer school during the week of her birthday so I decided to stay home. We all did an acrostic poem about Grandma and sent it to Mom to give to her. Here she is reading them:

I'm glad we got to say happy birthday virtually, but I was sad that I didn't go. 

Here are our poems:

       Greatest

bRave

       Amazing

Nice

    Daring

          iMaginative

courAgeous

by Charles Bartholomew

 

     Greatest

     Radiant

   hAppy

     Nana

     Dancing

     Marvelous

 pleAsant

by Devon Bartholomew

 

        Grateful

helpeR

       cAring

     beNevolent

  gooD

charMing

Absolutely amazing

By Emily Bartholomew

Gorgeous

Rad

Artistic

Nurturing

Dreamer

Majestic

Adorable

By Henry Bartholomew

 

Great

Righteous

Awesome

Nice

Dynamite

Magical

A Great Grandma

By Lizzy Bartholomew

 

   Giving

   Resplendent

   Ardent

   Nature-loving

   Devoted

coMpassionate

    Authentic

by Sabrina, Daniel, and Teddy Bartholomew

Swimming Lessons

 

  I finally got the kids enrolled in swim lessons. After the first day, the boys got moved up to another class. They caught on really fast. They love playing in the water. Henry tans up so well, look at his tan lines!

We go first thing and are usually the only ones there until class starts.

The kids had a great time and the instructors were very nice. 

Ice Caves

 Prepare for the photo dump! We went to some ice caves just north of us in Troutdale. It was a nice excursion.

We did have to contend with a parade in town. Everyone was there so we had a bit of a traffic jam. I thought this church was pretty.

Preparing to go in.

    About here, everyone left me. Charles would occasionally come back to check on me, which was sweet. I, like Baymax, "am not fast."

It's hard to get good pictures in the dark with a cell phone.

The triumphant crew!

I made Daniel stop on the side of the road a few times to catch the view.