Summer is starting to wind down here in North Idaho. The days are getting shorter, the leaves are starting to turn, and it's a bit colder in the mornings, though this weekend was beautiful. We've been very busy for the last few weeks with a number of happenings.
At the end of August, Joel finished his MBA after two years of studies. We're both glad it's over. Hannalize is happy to have some more help with Tyler and to get some projects done around the house. Joel is happy to be done and be able to spend some more time with the family.
Tyler was dedicated at our church on Sunday, September 6th. Grandpa and Grandma Slate were here to share this great day with us. After the service we had some friends over for cake and tea. Tyler is growing more every day. All he wants to do now is to stand on his own. He is very close to taking his first steps. It seems that he never stops moving from the minute he wakes up until the minute he falls asleep. His hair is getting very curly as it grows. Sooner or later he'll have to have his first haircut, but Hannalize seems to postpone it as long as she can. She says she's not quite ready to make the transition from baby to little boy quite yet.
We've been playing a lot of golf lately. We have a great 9-hole course here in St. Maries, and we push Tyler in his off-road stroller around the course with us. He usually falls asleep by the fifth hole and he usually does a good job of keeping it down while people are putting. We've also been golfing with some friends and co-workers and we're all having a good time, though it's not likely any of us will quit our jobs to join the PGA tour.
Yesterday (Saturday), we tiled the new backsplash in the kitchen. Previously, the kitchen had a hideous backsplash made of multi-colored fake brick tiles. We replaced these with 3"x6" subway tiles with a glass tile accent. It really changed the character of the entire kitchen.
We have a busy next few weeks coming up. Joel has a 3-day fishing and hunting trip into Hell's Canyon next weekend. The following weekend, we're heading for Seattle for the Seahawks vs. Chicago Bears NFL football game. We'll be home for a week, then we're heading to the cabin in Oregon for deer hunting season.
Enjoy the pictures.
Here are a few pictures from the Paul Bunyon Days parade here in St. Maries. Paul Bunyon Days is our annual celebration honoring our local timber industry. In addition to a truly incredible fireworks show, there is also a large parade. This year's parade took 1 hr. 15 minutes to pass, and Tyler loaded up on tons of candy..!!
Tyler has decided that the Panda Bear is his animal picture book gets a kiss every time he turns to that page...
Until Next time....
Reg vir die 4th of July optog in La Pine, OR
Tyler met sy 4th of July krale 
Die Cabin
Uitsig vanaf die cabin se agterstoep
Uitsig vanaf voorstoep
Tyler speel in die water
Maybe he'll be a wine lover...
Ons lees 'n storie... 
Hy geniet sy "jumper" vreeslik baie en by tye klink dit of hy dwarsdeur die plafon gaan spring!!!
Tyler raak groot... In die agtergrond brand die braaivleisvuur!
