Hey- yes we're still here...Its been a relatively quiet couple of weeks. We've been stuck inside for most of the last 2 weeks due to heavy smoke from the 158 (!) fires that are burning all around us. Its reminding me of growing up in LA in the 80's- smog central! We had the most incredible lightning storm park itself over the top of us for 3-4 hours. The paper said we had over 5,000 lightning strikes. While we were enjoying the show from the tailgate of the truck, the mountains were catching fire. (Ok, so the lightning wasn't right on top of us, but close enough we could watch it. It was the kids first major lightning storm) Luckily most of the damage has been in the forests so not many structures have burnt down. The smoke has cleared enough in the last 3 days to allow the bombers to fly, so we've been watching the "parade" of planes and helicopters fly over the house.
Tony has been taking swimming lessons with his friend Karen and making great progress. He makes a fantastic 'torpedo' and is picking up the backstroke and breaststroke like a fish. I think its helping him to have a friend with him- they kind of push each other a little bit. I can't believe this is the same kid- he who perfected the 'velcro pose' anytime he got near the water. Tony is also at construction camp this week with several of his friends from pre-K. They are working with real tools and building 'stuff" as he puts it- I haven't gotten him to say what the stuff is yet, but he's having fun. Meagan is perfecting her throwing arm (I hate to say this, but she can throw farther than Tony can) and no longer walks anywhere- she has figured out running and that is the only way to go. She is still climbing everything and is completely fearless. I have a feeling she is going to be our little athlete.
Tomorrow we head up to the Lake and my parent's house for the 4th. Construction is in full swing up there- my brother and the company he works for are putting in the foundation for the new garage this week and next week Tom and Dad are starting the framing (I think). Mom has made her final trip back from Chile and is waiting for their stuff to arrive so they can start unpacking. Its good to have them back!!
Thats all from here. I'll post pictures when we return. Have a happy 4th of July!!
Tony has been putting together lots of different K'nex projects from his birthday presents. He has really gotten into these lately. They are like legos but you can do more. So far he's made backhoes, cranes, windmills, a ferris wheel, yesterday it was an airplane carnival ride and today its the forklift to move the airplane ride.
