July was a full month. With Morgan being off for the summer, we tend to cram a whole lot of events into June and July.  We spent much of July visiting with old friends.  For the Fourth of July Morgan's parents had a BBQ in their backyard and we got to play with the Daulton clan.  Nick preached at The Cove in Santa Rosa and we also went camping with our old homegroup.  We got to do a lot of catch up with the Bachelders, Jacobs, and LeDonnes.  We were also able to visit Morgan's college roommate, Elizabeth, and her son Bear in Sebastopol.  Bear and Bracken had a great time crawling all over Elizabeth's house.  Jodie, another college roommate, and her husband Josh, were able to come for a short visit in Loomis. Much to Carson's joy, she got to play with their son Colton (Pop was pouring concrete in the barn during their visit, so Carson, Colton and Bracken all got to put their handprints in the drying concrete).  Some of our dear friends, who we spent a lot of time with while Nick was the Director of Youth at the Cove, came to visit.  It is always wonderful to spend time with people who know where you have been and what your life has looked like.

Carson made some important leaps in development this month. She learned to go pee pee and poo poo on the potty. Because of this, she also got to eat a lot of ice cream (we broke and decided to start bribing)! She is a natural.  She goes into the potty all by herself and gets on the potty all by herself.  She has definitely entered the realm of big girlhood.  Carson also learned to swim early in July.  She seems to be a natural at this also. She loves to jump in the water and swim to whomever will swim with her.  The pool is no longer a safe place, however.  She loves it and wants in all the time. Next, we have to teach her how to breath so that she can swim further all by herself.

We also spent a lot of time outside this month: weeding, picnicking, playing, mowing the lawn. We love living in Loomis and watching our kids enjoy life on the property.