Getting Caught Up, A Little Bit

Okay, Astrid wins as "blogger of the summer." She's plugging away through pics from her trip here & posting them every couple of days, so I'm going to send you all over to her blog (Life in the Woods) for pictures & stories from the second half of June.

We've had another full week, and I AM still sorting through my pictures & getting ready to summarize some of the highlights of June. It's hard to do when you get a whole month behind, especially when it's been a busy month!

Jordan's mystery virus on Monday vanished Monday evening as quickly as it came, and no rash has followed. It's possible that she did have Roseola, but not strong enough to have a rash. Or, perhaps she was having a delayed reaction to the Botox toxins she had the previous Wednesday (5 days before the fever).

On Tuesday Devon hung out his Canada flag in honour of Canada Day. Happy 141st Birthday Canada! For those of you who are curious, here's what Canada Day represents:

"Frequently referred to as "Canada's birthday," particularly in the popular press, the occasion marks the joining of the British colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada into a federation of four provinces (the Province of Canada being divided, in the process, into Ontario and Quebec) on July 1, 1867. However, though Canada is regarded as having become a kingdom in its own right on that date, the British Parliament at first kept limited rights of political control over the new country, which were shed by stages over the years until the last vestiges were ended in 1982, when the Constitution Act patriated the Canadian constitution. Canada Day thus differs from Independence Day celebrations in other countries in that it does not commemorate a clear-cut date of complete independence."

On Wednesday Kelly & I took Kate & Avery down to Fort Vancouver for a little "Stars & Stripes" photo shoot. It turned out so well I took Jordan down on Thursday for the same purpose.

And really, all they wanted to do was play in the dirt. . . but Avery was about the best I've ever seen her as far as "tolerating" the camera. In fact, a couple of times, she was really posing like a little model!

Jordan's turn (she's a tricky one to "pose," let me tell you)

Yes, she really is that big. It's hard to believe she's not a baby anymore, but a 2.5-year-old.

By Thursday night it was time to take down the Canadian flag and get ready for the 4th of July. We spent Friday afternoon at nana Noma's neighborhood party (she organizes one each year for the kids in her neighborhood, and it's the hit of the day!). This year they had a talent show to start, then followed with a parade through all the streets. Avery was busy on Wednesday decorating her bike, and helped nana & Devon get Jordan's wheelchair ready before all the other kids showed up.

Devon being as "American" as he can (for now, he is still waiting on his papers for his citizenship. . . .)

Here are most of the kids that took part in the talent show & paradeAvery wouldn't utter a peep at the talent show, although her talent was supposed to be singing. She just held the microphone and looked around at everyone for about 1 full minute.

Jordan was all ready for the festivities, too. Behind those sunglasses, no one really noticed that she slept through most of it (it was warm, and tiring, ya know).

Avery convinced Devon to try out her obstacle course, after the parade was over, of course.

Nana finally had some time to sit down & snuggle with Jordan, and Avery, too!

What is all that banging & crashing, and why do lights keep flashing like that. Jordan wasn't a huge fan of the fireworks.