The Keene Family

Haley wakes up much earlier than JT, so she and I get some time together in the mornings. Sometimes she wakes up too early and I'm still doing my Bible study. This morning was one of those times. But she was very happy snuggled on the couch with Fancy Nancy and a cup of milk. What a sweetie. :)

The kids and I had such a great time last week in Seattle Center for the day. It's been a while since we've done anything like this! We parked and paid for the whole day so we could have all the time we wanted. We were there early and our first stop was the Seattle Children's Museum. We started in the Imaginarium, doing crafts. It is a perfect first stop because your art can dry and you pick it up on your way out. Making clay chocolate bars Painting Window art Then we explored the fake forest. It was at this point that I had an important realization: children's museums must be for children whose parents don't let them do real things . My kids kept touching things and saying, "How come this isn't a real rock?" and "How come this isn't a real tree?" We went to story time and learned some sign language, which was really fun. Normally I wouldn't have taken the time to sit through that, but we had no schedule. I didn...

I am really not a runner. But God gave me a body to take care of, so I do things to try to stay healthy and strong. So, for the second year in a row, I ran the Black Diamond Half Marathon. It was harder than last year (and eight minutes slower) but I maintained about a ten minute average time per mile and finished well, so that was good. Jim, JT, and Haley were there at the finish line this year and that felt awesome!   I am so thankful for the opportunity to challenge myself and do this. This year my verse is Habakkuk 3:19, which states "G OD , the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer’s..." Okay, so I'm not really fast like a deer, but you get the point! :)

We try to go to the Puyallup Fair every year. For the past two years, we've gone with our friends the Schmalzes. This year we went with the Bonnells, too, and we added the rodeo. It was so much fun! JT and Haley really enjoyed the rodeo (and so did Jim!). JT said his favorite part was team roping. Haley loved watching the women ride in with the large pretty flags. We ate some scones for a pick-me-up and then we hit the rides. We actually had a tough time because a couple of rides broke as we got in line, and then of course Haley wasn't tall enough to ride several. Actually, she's not tall enough to ride any of them but a few rides just let her on. Phew! Then the boys looked like this. So we got Earthquake burgers and fries and Krusty Pups and lemonades and tried to revive them! Finally, we went back for one last ride. JT chose the car ride but Haley held out for the carousel. She was so happy to go with dad (and Carl and Carson). Last we stopped...

This year my son John (as he prefers to go by at school) is attending junior kindergarten. As a summer birthday, we felt the extra year would make a big difference for his confidence. He loves his teacher and is slowly making some new friends in his class of nine boys and three girls. There are lots of options there. :) Of course, we took pictures. For a look at last year's photos and interest collage, click here .

Our last hurrah for summer: a Harley ride to north Idaho to spend the weekend with friends. We've been planning this trip for so long that it was almost weird to finally have it arrive. We were so grateful to my aunt and uncle who let us use their lake house for the weekend. It was perfect.  I rode with the boys and the other two ladies drove over in a car, mostly because one is 21 weeks pregnant. But it worked out great because then we had somewhere for a weekend of food and clothes for six people besides saddlebags! Ready to go Me on the back + two behind us The view for a looonnngggg time!   Stretch break Dry Falls - last picture here, Labor Day 1999 After 11 hours of travel (lots of stops and a long and beautiful route), we arrived at the cabin late. Katie and Elisa had a hot dinner waiting! We crashed and woke up to the most beautiful view. I am sitting in bed looking at this! Uncle Jim and Aunt Sara's lake cabin Trying out stand up...