July 4th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wowsers, has life become hugely busy since father's day!!!! 

Geoff is continuing to love his title of "Stay @ Home Dad" (has a pretty good ring to it) but has decided that Aislyn also needs to begin learning carpentry.  So, for the last 2 weeks (June 15-24) Geoff has been taking Aislyn to work on a deck here in Colton for a contractor friend Sully.  Aislyn has been helping move lumber, cut vycor strips, mix cement, pour cement, put up joists, unload concrete bags and much more!  She's been an absolute trooper.  Jocelyn picks Aislyn up after work from Geoff and they go home a work together there.  After the 4th, Geoff will continue with this role until the deck is finished. 

The week before the 4th was especially hectic.  Geoff's parents came down to baby-sit Aislyn during the day while Geoff coached at the WSU Tennis Camp.  One of our family friends, Claire Thornton came with Ted & Barb and participated in the camp.  We decided to do some upgrades to our landscaping, so Ted ran around the Palouse gathering some railroad ties & before he knew it, 3.5 tons of river-rock.  On Wednesday, Jocelyn's dad Mick and Donna, sister Loy & Grandpa & Grandma Cotten all came into to town.  (A special thanks goes out to Ken & Tanya Carper for the use of their camper trailor as an extra bedroom!)  Thursday morning before Geoff got home, Grandpa had weeded out the strawberry patches & asparagas...Mick & Ted with the help of Donna & Jocelyn had already unloaded those 3tons of rock.  We decided that we needed to have the family over more often, as we sure got a lot done this week!

On Friday, Jocelyn's family and us went up to Coeur d'Alene for the wedding of Chris (Jocelyn's cousin) and Lindsay.  It was a beautiful wedding.  We all hung out Saturday at the Hill's place where we had loads of fun, food, sun and activity.  So much activity that Geoff and Mick took the stairs at the pace of a step an hour!!!!!!  Sunday, Mick & Donna came with us to visit the Pearson Family at Hunter's on Lake Roosevelt.  Then on Monday, it was back to Coeur d'Alene for fireworks on the lake at the Curtis' cabin and a really late trip home to Colton.

What a great week or so, but what a whirlwind!  We didn't take pictures of 1/2 the things we should have, but here are a few of the ones taken in the last 2 weeks. 

Aislyn @ 17 weeks enjoying her HUGE jenny-jump-up.  She loves standing (and drooling/eating on the edge of it) in general, so hence...

Grammy giving Aislyn a bottle.  The flash from this picture led to the largest crying fit we have witnessed thus far.  Poor Grammy - we promise it wasn't you!!!!  Thanks for all your help during camp week.

Our friend Claire (When she wasn't playing tennis, she was helping entertain Aislyn) hopefully enjoying herself.

Geoff wearing his outside work hat with Papa Mick (Jocelyn's dad)

Papa and Aislyn enjoying some much deserved shut-eye.  This was after Mick helped move 3 tons of rock.

Papa Mick & Aislyn

Donna and Aislyn were getting quite the kick out of Papa and his antics.  This was the best picture capturing the expression on Aislyn's face.

Basketball at the Hill's.  One of the reasons why Mick and Geoff couldn't walk the next day!

Jocelyn's Aunt Nyla and Uncle Bob's new living room.  Uncle Todd is on the left, Aunt Carrie on the right.  This was taken getting prepared to go to Sunday morning meeting which we had at Len & Maxine's, some very dear friends of Geoff's family from waaaaaayyyyyyyy back.  We think it's been 20 years since Geoff has been in a Sunday morning fellowship meeting with them.

Great-Grandma Nola (Pronounced - Granola, according to Brylan...another great-grandchild) proving to all that she still hasn't lost the instinct or touch!

Trysten, Ashley & Aunt Carrie.  Talk about having patience...Ashley was amazing!

Cousin Lane (Geoff's sister Bean's oldest) had Aislyn laughing and giggling for quite some time.  Jocelyn has had some luck getting Aislyn to giggle, but Geoff hasn't.  He was trying to take some lessons from Lane...he'll try them later on.

Lane continuing to entertain Aislyn

Here Lane is playing "Deer" with Auntie Jocelyn.  It was quite comical as Lane tried to hide behind the suitcase as Jocelyn tried to "Find" him.  He was pretty good at hiding, but the giggling coming from the other side of the suitcase was a dead give-away.

Camp @ Hunters...well, at least our part of camp!  We brought the bear minimum.  Thanks to all that brought food to feed us on our night at Hunters!

Waiting to get out on the water on the 4th.  Jake and Pearson (in the pick-up) were fast at work learning the art of patience!  Mick, Geoff, Ted & Ryan all went out fishing early that morning.  Geoff caught the only fish, off the hippos and with his nephew Lane's pole.  As we learned, the fishing was "All about Relationships."  As Mick stated, the fishing was great, but the catching terrible!

Thanks to all who helped convert our weed patch into some semblance of a rose garden.  We strategically forgot to take before pictures - we were too embarrassed to show people what our landscaping looked like!  It looks a whole lot better.  Thanks everyone for your help!