The bunnies

Our last bunny cage was starting to look a bit sad.

It was only a little over a year old but apparently, my design was poor.

So Emery decided to make a new home for Poofy and Thunder. We cut, sanded, painted, and even shingled this one. The bunnies are living in the lap of luxury!

After weeks of work which was a fun project to do together, we finished. It's a 2 story with a walkout deck! I think this is their 4th home. The bunnies move as much as we do if not more! Hopefully, this will be their forever home unless the coyotes get 'em!

2 Timothy 1:7

We have no reason to fear.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

Philippians 4:11-13

Contentment is a hard thing, isn't it? No matter how young or how old, how rich or how poor, it's hard to be content. But it is possible to learn to be content if and only if we look to Christ.

Philippians 4:11-13
¹¹ Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. ¹² I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. ¹³ I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Camping

This year, we went camping near the coast at Samuel Taylor Park. It was perfect weather and a wonderful atmosphere camping amongst the Redwoods. The only thing to watch out for was the raccoons!

We visited Muir Woods and got to see some "baby" Redwoods.

We were blessed to have the Choi's come all the way from SoCal to camp with us! There was a lot of testosterone! Actually not yet, but it's on the way.

Emery was the only girl, but I think she had fun still.

It's always fun to splash around in a creek.

We ended our weekend with a stop at the beach. Point Reyes National Seashore was beautiful but pretty cold for the beach in the summer!

Gymnastics

Emery's gymnastics career was fun but short lived. It seemed like she had something going until she tore her fascia last year. As much as she likes gymnastics, she decided she didn't want to continue for the sake of her health. What a long term thinking 9 year-old I have!

But before she retired, she competed one last time at the Liberty Championships. Here's her floor routine - 9.800, good for 2nd place.

In the vault, she got a 9.750, also good for 2nd place.

She was 1st place on bars with a 9.600.

Unfortunately, I was a tad late on the beam. Sorry Emz. She couldn't quite stay on the beam, but she still managed a 9.775, good for 2nd place.

Her all around score was a 38.925. It was tied for 1st place but due to tie breaker rules, she ended up 2nd. Great job Emery!

Not a bad day and not a bad way to retire.

Baby Dorothy!

Welcome to the world baby Dorothy!

Here she is, just a few days old. Doesn't she look so beautiful and peaceful?

The boys and girl just love their new cousin baby Dorothy. We like to call her Dot. But how does she feel about all the attention?

So far she doesn't seem so pleased. :)

But a month later, I think Emery started winning her over.

And she was thoroughly entertained by Andrew. Get used to that for the rest of your life Dorothy!

Matt appears to have lulled her to sleep, until she rolled right out of his arms! Baby Dorothy has a team of cousin babysitters waiting in the wings! I think she's going to get spoiled by the boys and girl.

14

Andrew turned 14 this year.

I know I feel like most parents and wonder how it happened so fast. He's 5'10" now and just an inch shorter than me. He weighs in at about 130 pounds. He's bigger and taller than I was at his age. We hope he keeps growing and makes that wonderful marker of 6 feet, but he's slowing down.

He had a beach volleyball party with his friends. He's still working on his spike.

But really, it's the setter's fault if the spike isn't perfect. Happy Birthday Andrew! We thank God for your physical growth, your mental and academic growth, but most of all for your spiritual growth. You took a big step in being baptized this year, and I praise God for the fruit he is producing in your life especially the fruit of joy, faithfulness and self-control. I am very proud of you.