August!

August was a very full month added to an already full summer. Julie and Ben had both moved in, and then spent most nights sleeping outside, since the house was a little over full. Benny was delighted to have Auntie Julie and Unka Ben available to serve his needs!








Two of my former exchange students came to visit their host families, and I got to see them too. What happy memories, and a happy meeting -- with Abdullah from Saudi Arabia, and Aika from Kazakhstan who also brought along her mother and sister, whom I was honored to meet. (It was also good to meet Aika's Host mom -- I love seeing families become international!).

Also from Kazakhstan, Albert came for one last visit before he has to leave America for good, having graduated as an Engineer (Congratulations!!!) and finished his internships. So happy to see him one last time, and sad that this IS the last time, at least for a while. We had fun taking him to see Mt. St. Helen's from a distance, and Ape Cave (a lava tube originating from this volcanoe) up close.

We did an awful lot of driving, way more than we wanted, but the countryside closer to the coast of Washington State is so beautiful!

Julie prepared an art show of her work at a coffee shop in Sunnyside.  Having her living at home for this year is a wonderful opportunity and I'm looking forward to working with her as we become professional artists! 
It was also Julie's birthday, and we enjoyed a lovely dinner with her and her friends at a Thai restaurant. 

Benny and Ephraim continued their progress of becoming more and more adorable and cute every day.  We were very conscious that they would be moving to Idaho soon, and so tried to enjoy them as much as we could.  Hide and Seek was so fun, especially for Benny, especially at bedtime.  Ephraim, of course, was always happy to be where the action was and enjoyed this game and many others as much as his big brother did.  I'm going to have so much more time to do stuff when they are gone!  And I will miss them more than I can say!