Well, it's shaping up to be a typical day for a mom of little ones...woke at 7:30 to cranky littles ones.  Kaitlynn has a bad cough sore throat and body aches, Bryanna has a runny nose as does Steven.  So since most of us in our church are leaving this week to attend a wedding up in Olympia, WA I opted to stay home with them and spare everyone else.  I figured it would be appreciated, after all who wants to make a 10-12 hour drive with sick kiddos. 

 It's a beautiful sunny day so far!  Maybe we will get to see the large fireworks after all instead of colored fog like the past 2 years.  As usual for us Dan is working today, so the big boys are the responsible ones with fireworks.  Although it sounds like there will be a barbecue/potluck/party and fireworks at the church today/night.  Kaitlynn is deathly afraid of the fireworks anyway so I always bring her home before all that.  One of these years maybe she won't be afraid of them anymore.

Got the Tri-tip roast marinating, Baked Beans made and ready to go in the oven, fresh corn on the cob, made homemade brownies and Kierstynn will make her yummy Rice Krispie Treats when she gets home, she makes the best Rice Krispie Treats!!!

Steven is back down for a nap already, girls are watching Sound of Music and lounging on the couch.  Ariel caught a ride to church with our neighbor and friend Merry Lewis.  Soon it won't be so quiet around here when the older 4 arrive back from church.

Big week this week as we prepare to Drive up to Joe Jordan's wedding in Olympia Washington and then on up to Lynden, Ferndale, Washington to visit my brothers and their families.  Joe's wedding is Saturday and Sunday morning we drive the two oldest boys to SEA/TAC airport to catch their flight to Dutch Harbor, Alaska.  What an adventure that will be for them!!  They are a bit nervous about traveling alone (as is their mom!) but I know they are in the Lord's hands and He will be watching over them and protecting them!  We will miss them so much, but are so thankful they have the opportunity to spend so much time with my parents and their cousin Jake Jones.  They will be working full time for their Grandpa and we hope they are able to really help him get a lot done.  Of course they are also looking forward to doing some boating/fishing/ hiking and sight seeing.  It has been 6 years since we were all there last and they have grown up quite a bit since then.  Last time we visited we arrived July 3rd, that was a fun time for them, they got to ride on Grandpa and Grandma Whittern's "old Red" their WWII jeep. 
 Jamie went to our local fisheries store, Englund Marine on Friday to buy his Xtra Tuffs, he also bought a camera and has been collecting all the things they want to take.  I will try to post pictures when we start out on our trip.  It's quite a site!  Since we will be taking all their stuff for Alaska and the rest of us will be gone for a week and a half we have to tow our utility trailer to fit everything!  We drive a 9 passenger Ford Excursion and it will be full up this trip as usual, including the dog.  It's quite a site to see :-)

Happy July 4th!