August Happenings

Time to catch up on my blogging once again! It's a good thing I take pictures sometimes otherwise, I would forget things that have happened. Back on the 10th of August, Garrett finally passed his written driving test! It took him 5 times total, twice last year (then he gave up for a long time) and three times this month. He was always very close to passing, usually only missed one too many questions, but he finally did it!! We drove over to Dairy Queen right after to buy him a milkshake to celebrate. He was so happy and relieved. The last thing to do is the driving skills test. We scheduled it out a couple of weeks so he could do some more practicing, particularly on parallel parking, since I learned that was on the test. He has been more willing to drive ever since he passed the written test.

With all of the new furniture we got down in the family room, I decided it was time to buy Milo a crate cover and stop using the two tiger blankets I've had since high school. This cover looks so much better and it matches the new bookshelves and piano!

A couple of weeks ago I also visited with our next-door neighbors and brought up the subject of our odd fence layout between our two properties. Apparently, their fence at fallen down years ago and it was going to take awhile to get the fence put back up, so Mr. Spaulding (who lived here before us) put up a chain link fence because he had 3 schnauzer dogs. So, there's a little gap in between the two fences and it was boarded up on both ends, so we couldn't get in, and it was filling up with weeds, grass and garbage. I don't know why I didn't think of doing this before but it wasn't until our neighbor, Paul, mentioned that there was only one screw holding those boards up and that it should come off easily, that I finally did just that. And then took two days to clean it out. It looks so much better!

Side view with the weeds.

Looking down the space just after I got started.

I just had to remove 3 boards, one screw on top and one on bottom of each board. It was easy. 

All done cleaning it out!

You can see the old fence posts.

Paul wanted to come put Preen on it for me, but I told him he didn't need to. I had never used Preen before but because he mentioned it, I picked some up at the store. It's supposed to keep weeds from growing there for at least 3 months. Unfortunately, it's been a couple of weeks and I'm seeing grass sprout up back there. I'm going to have to spray those before they get out of hand again. But at least there's no weeds!

Charlotte finally put her 3D dog puzzle together, with a little bit of help, after seeing Garrett put his own 3D owl puzzle together. I was almost too intimidated to help her but we got it done. It's definitely a different kind of puzzle. She's had that puzzle for several months, so it's good she finally got it put together.

On Saturday the 17th of August, we had the opportunity to go see the parade in Kennewick for the first time and Jack performed in it with the band. Last year the smokey air was too bad and the band pulled out of the parade. This year it was a beautiful day for a parade and very sunny. We had no idea how long it was going to last because it was our first time attending. After 2 hours, we decided to call it quits, because it was still going! People in the parade were from all around the area, not just Kennewick. The parade was for the Benton County fair and rodeo kick off. It was fun, but more than two hours is way too long! And we loaded up so much candy that the girls got tired of picking up candy. 

Ghostbusters! No idea why they did this one but it was fun to see.

Mexican dancers.

Bronson Brown had a float because he's trying to get elected for judge. He's in our ward bishopric. The McShane family were helping with his float. It was fun to see them. Our girls wanted to hop on the float with their friends. Maybe next time!

Southridge and Kamiakin high school bands marching together. In the two hours we watched, they were the only bands we saw.

Jack's in the green socks.

Our candy stash from the parade. The grocery bag was half filled! There were a few items in there that weren't candy, like bracelets and toys or first aid kits. 

After the parade, I was outside getting the pool cleaned and I spotted a praying mantis and took a picture up close. It was too cool not to share.

Curtis worked on changing out Garrett's bedroom door that afternoon and while we were both busy, Milo got busy also....digging! He keeps digging new holes but fortunately, we were able to find a video about putting his own dog poop in the holes and covering it up to keep him from repeating the same spot. It's been working so far, as long as we put the poop near the top of the hole, so he can smell it. Well, since I caught him in the act, he got a smack on the rear and put in his kennel. The funny thing was that his kennel door is usually left open and Coco happened to be resting in there. I didn't realize that until a few minutes later when we saw him by Milo. It was pretty funny and cute!

The girls let Coco out after I got the picture.

He sure makes a mess when he digs.

Shopping with the girls for a new bedroom door for Garrett's room. They enjoyed riding on that cart.

That evening I finally talked Garrett into swimming with us. I warned all the kids that it would be a family swim night, except Jack already had plans to go to a church dance. Not only did Garrett get in, but I could tell that he had fun! It's always good to see your kids happy.

Being silly.