Camping.

I have a 4 day weekend after working the prior weekend as part of the planned engineering coverage. I took the girls camping on the beach exactly 1 mile from the house the other night and we had a great time. We went down to the beach about 6:30pm to set up camp and go for a swim. We watched the sun set. Had chocolate peanut butter sandwiches and the girls slept solid through the night. When we woke up we had cereal for breakfast and more swimming and playing in the sand. Momma and Everett came to visit us. It was overcast and cooler than normal so we spent most of the morning there before going home.










Biggest news for us is Hanna can use the potty! Good job and over joyous congratulations pour from Ella, Momma and Dada every time she uses the potty. Hanna can also now swim on her own.

I think Ella just added an inch or more as she looks noticeably taller to me. She will start back to school in a couple of weeks where she can expand her Hebrew beyond counting to 6 and making up the numbers from there. The good thing about making up words is she has the sounds down that come with Hebrew, the 3 different ways to say 'ch' sound for instance. Ella also has a 'surf board' (oversized kick board) and she can ride the waves into shore, it's a big deal to get her to overcome a fear of the sea by her choice. The waves can be pretty scary when at 3-4' tall the wave is 25% of your size and much more powerful.

All three kids are attracted to either the pool or the last patch of rock and dirt in the front. Everett also swims some but can't get out of water for a breath. He is proficient on the stairs in the house, but the stair gate will stay up because the consequences of a fall down 8 stone steps is far too high.


Swim movies are 3 weeks old and the kids keep getting better. Ella can also dive in pretty good.

We've also been enjoying all the Olympics and the Eurosport TV coverage. We watch some events live. We like it so much that we want to attend 2016, the kids would be 12, 10 and 9 and it will line up with my 3rd sabbatical. Sounds cool today let's see if we can make it happen in 8yrs.

I am getting out surfing 1-2 hours a week. The Jelly Fish came and went over a 3wk period. Those stings are no fun and the sting hurts for 24 hrs then turn to blisters after a few days. I know I look like quite the fool out in the surf but I can get on waves and make some turns. It's a really challenging sport once the waves come up past waist high and much harder than it looks when watching on TV.

Out Numbered 3 to 1

Pick the quote you like best for Everett.

• "What are you looking at?"
• "I'm man enough to wear anything my big sisters dress me in!"
• "Pink isn't exactly my best color."
• "Do all little brothers have to wear dresses?"
• "I'll make sure you get my therapy bills when I'm older"
• "I know I broke it but isn't this punishment a bit extreme?"

Everyone is Heathy

It wasn't easy, it took us till the 25th of July to get all of our kids well. Heck even new and improved with stronger immune systems! Unfortunately there was a week of overlap between our sickness and the arrival of Anita's sister and nephews. Where we left off Patrik and Tin picked up for the second week of their vacation and ran a high fever for a couple of days. Regardless they still made good use of the pool.

As promised we did get around to celebrating Everett's birthday. We had the neighbors over for hamburgers, steaks and cake. Activities during Vesna's visit included Jerusalem, caves, swimming, sand dune, beach and Zoo. Also we are in full summer swing taking a lesson from home, the heat makes a great excuse to stay inside for the an afternoon seista. Everett loves to run on the pool cover, its like a giant water bed.