This is for you Mom! (others, if you have a weak tummy, don't look)

Here are my rafting wounds :) The pictures are kind of blurry because I had to take the flash off, but they give you some idea of what they look like.

Can you tell how swollen it is?

This is actually a hole in my toe :(
This one too :(

Summer Fun

Since Paul hasn't left back to CA yet, we have been trying to do a lot of fun things together before he does. Today we floated part of the Yakima River in Paul's new blow-up kayak. It was so much fun!!

The other day it was so windy and Mango's ears

were just standing straight up!

Mango LOVES sprinklers and Paul and I were driving the other

night and saw some sprinklers on, on campus so we ran out there

with Mango and seriously had the time of our lives! HAHA!

Getting the kayak ready to go float!
The pretty scenery
Where we started
Putting the oars together Gorgeous! We hiked up on this large cliff for Paul to jump off into the river...this is the view.
More view
Paul jumping in :)
He made it!!
Me, hiking back down
"Hurry up!"
It was so peaceful!
"Hi!!"
Tried to get us both in the picture

Try #2

On the drive back

Paul came back (but only for a little while)

Paul surprised me and came back from CA earlier than expected, although, he's planning on going back within the next week, and this time he said, it's for a WHOLE month!! AHHHH!!! Well, since he came back we went home so he could see his family. So here are some pictures of our time back at home :)

Finally together again

This was back at my apt. but I just thought it was cute and it's a new pic :)

At Paul's Mom's house getting ready to play with sparklers

Mamma and Me :)

Paul's adorable niece, Layla She loves her pool!
Just too cute!
Havin' fun with her pool toys
I love her expression here! Layla and her Nona :) (Paul's mom)
Beautiful baby

All bundled up :)

Jessica, it was so wonderful seeing you, Tanner, and Layla! (and for those of you in my family reading this, Jessica and Tanner are also the names of Paul's sister and her husband, and Layla is their little girl).

Time back at home

As most of you may know, Paul has been over in CA helping with all the wildfires. He left on June 22nd, and will be gone for about a month. It's been two weeks so far and I miss him terribly. I do get to talk to him on occasion when he gets breaks to call. He said it is an amazing experience, but the hardest work he's ever done. He told me he is very homesick and can't wait to come home, but knows he is doing a great thing and loves the thought of helping those out in the area he is in. He said one day, some of the locals came out to the campsite Paul's group was in and brought them some freshly baked cookies, thanking them for all they are doing to save their homes. He said that is when he really realized the true reason why he was out there. I keep counting down the days until he comes home, but I'm trying to keep myself busy to keep my mind off him being away (that is a very difficult task I've learned). I've been in Ellensburg taking my summer courses and it sure is boring out here without Paul, so I decided to go home for a few days for the weekend of the 4th. I got to spend Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, and Sun. at home with my parents! It was much needed! I even got to spend time with my sister! We went out to lunch and then later that evening Mom and I helped her clean out and organize her place a little bit (it was fun, not only did I get to spend time with Jess, but I got a lot of her old clothes too!! haha!). Then when the cleaning was done, mom went home and I stayed with sis and we watched a movie together. It was so nice just to be with her. I miss her a lot when I am away. Then on the 4th I got to spend time with my good friend Chelsea. We went to lunch and then shopped at the mall. Then we met up with her boyfriend, Josh (Paul's best friend) and stayed at his place to watch fireworks (that's what the pictures below are from and sadly those are the only pictures I took all weekend). On Saturday I got to have dinner with my long time, great friend Nicole. Nicole attends the UW and is also doing some summer school. In fact, she just found out that she is going to be graduating next spring (a whole year early)!! I am very proud of her, and of course a little jealous :) Nicole and I have been friends since 7th grade so being able to keep in touch with her is so special! It's funny because we don't see each other very often, but when we do, it's like nothing has changed. She's a very special friend of mine, so it was great being able to see her! On Sunday Dad, Mom, and I got to spend some time together. We went to lunch and were able to visit (even though we had been visiting all weekend at home) :) Then I was invited to have dinner with Paul's family. I had a very nice evening with them, but it made me miss Paul even more! Although, it was the first time I had really spent time with them without Paul, so it was very special to me! Anyway, sorry this is so long, I just had such a wonderful weekend and through it all I learned that I have some very special people in my life that I couldn't imagine living without! I love you all!!!

Chelsea and me!

Josh, Chelsea, Me (and we're missing Paul)

Fireworks

More attempts at taking pictures of the fireworks
This one looks pretty cool...kind of like a big meteor or something
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