What happened to August?

The rain is here... the trees are changing colors and summer is officially over. I love the autumn! I love my sweaters, my scarfs, my coffee. I don't know what happened to August. I think that's a trend in my life... (I think I blogged about what happened to the month of July too.) :)

August was a month of parades, festivals, family in town, serving and a few road trips.

Kaden found out that parades equal candy! :) Even though he only gets to eat like one or two pieces of what he collects!

All of his favorite things are at parades: fire trucks, police cars, race cars, animals, and candy!

Serving along side Uncle Dominic at Hayhurst Elementary School-community care day.

Missio had a fun day in the park. Here's Kaden and his buddy "My Lillian".

Lisa's work staff on our annual road trip. This year we headed up the gorge to Eastern Washington and Idaho.

There was much more fun pictures to the month of August and lots of random little adventures... but here's a snippet of our month. Happy Fall!

reflections on the summer...

I must have started this post ten times... sometimes it's hard to put into words what someone means to you.

This summer has been a crazy season for us. Yet, very manageable... with LOTS of HELP!! Joel has been away a lot this summer helping his parents out with the family business. They have a "food cart" at small festivals and county fairs. (mostly in Southern Oregon) So, after figuring out Joel's schedule there were two full week long fairs that Joel would be away from home. The first week we solicited help from Mei Mei, Joel's two sisters and Jen, and Amy. Kaden enjoyed his play dates with all of his aunties and many cousins and friends. For the second week that Joel would be gone I asked my cousin, April to come down from Seattle to watch Kaden. It's often the evening duties that the extra hand is more helpful. Kaden LOVES APRIL! And APRIL LOVES KADEN!!!! Here's her blog about her week down here.

Kaden was in tears when April (we call her Kiki) had to leave. And I think she was crying most of the way home too. It was a fun week with her.... learning what it's like to be 15 again. Sometimes words doesn't do justice to how much Kiki means to me and this family. Kristina joined in the fun towards the end of the week from Hawaii... it was definitely a full house around here with family coming from Seattle too. Can't believe that the summer has come and gone. Many nights around the "black hub" ie. the dinning room table. Lots of laughs and lots of growing up and journey with our friends and family. Lots to be thankful for... lots to love and lots to ask Jesus for wisdom and forgiveness. Very thankful for grace for my brokenness and that I hope I can shine some of this love that Jesus has given me to others.

Kaden did so much growing (physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally) this summer. It's fun to hear his language pick up so much. Not to mention his imagination is so fun!!! Time has been hard to come by... so, hopefully with the fall normal routine will return and blogging will be more consistent. There's so much to share of the Adventures of KADEN!!!