Lifer Scout...

Richard was awarded the "Wood Badge" last week. It is the most advanced training an adult can obtain in the Scouts. There are quite a few requirements; one of which was camping a week and pretty much roughing it. He has dedicated a lot of hours of service to the Boy Scout program, not only with our 3 Eagle Scout sons, but has served as Scoutmaster 3 times over a 15 yr. period. He sadly was released as the Varsity Coach, working with the 14 & 15 yr. old boys after 3 years.
Great job!!!

Ric

Jeremy Wells who is from Spokane recently returned from his mission in Leon Mexico! He was in Ric's mission zone. He brought back 3 CD's of pictures from Ric, it was as though Christmas arrived early in the Sherman home. The only drawback is we don't know what some of the pics are, but most can be deciphered from his past emails and letters. He looks great and best of all is so happy to be in Mexico in service to the Lord.

Off to a great start...

The girls are back in school and we're off... I miss seeing them during the day. I've heard many parents comment how they're glad their kids are back in school and not around all summer, not this mom! Randi had her first Cross Country meet last week. All of the kids ran XC in 7th grade, but somehow Randi weaseled her way out from running last year. So, as not to break Sherman tradition we persuaded her to run this year (ok, we didn't give her a choice). She did great! Janae, Lani, and I strategically spread out on the course so there was someone always yelling in her face. I had to laugh at Janae, I think she had more butterflies than Randi. She said it brought back all those memories and feelings from her XC races.
Went to her Open House at school; she is going to have a fantastic 8th grade year.

Lani dove right in to cheering at football and volleyball games, in fact the 1st football game was before school started. It's fun to go watch her, especially at volleyball games because she gets the chance to tumble. It's hard to believe the once shy girl who wouldn't even leave my side at the grocery store, is out there in front of all those people.
Lani was also asked to the Homecoming dance in a big way. Her date had her go on a scavenger hunt; one of the stops she even learned to salsa dance! She ended up at his house with a large, lit up sign that said, "Homecoming?" She was thrilled.
Ric is doing wonderful. He's very faithful about emailing once a week. He is loving the home cooking he gets from his Mission President's wife. Maybe he can get some meat back on his skinny bones. Here he is walking in to their kitchen and seeing the peach cobbler she made.

Skeptic, no more

On Saturday, we went to the Spokane County fair. The girls love the hypnotist show. We saw it last year, and even though it was entertaining, I was very skeptical. I thought the people up there were merely faking it. Anyway, to our shock Justin and Derek (Justin's sister-in-law's fiance) were chosen to be hypnotized! It was so hilarious, yet nerve-raking at the same time. Of course the Hypnotist had Justin do the weird things such as yelling out, "Who's your Daddy" and then spanking his rear and being the first guy to become pregnant.

Here he is starting out... wide awake.

Not 5 minutes later, here he is.

One of his creative ways to say his famous line.


Thinking he is the first man to become pregnant and give birth.
(It's hard not to shake the camera when you're laughing)

Needless to say, I am no longer a skeptic about hypnotism. Thanks Justin for a great night of entertainment, it was so worth the price of admission to the fair!!! I'm sure Cody & Janae can't wait to see the DVD.

Summer comes to an end...

The girls are in their 1st week of school; Randi is in 8th grade and Lani unbelievably is in her senior year. We had a fun-filled last month of summer. We didn't seem to have as much time together, but it was definitely quality time.

Since the girls and I went to California during spring break, Richard was determined to get in some surfing of his own. So, we spent a few days on the Oregon coast. We stayed at a wonderful place on the beach.

Randi is always able to entertain herself as well as us. She found this humongous
seaweed and played Indiana Jones with it.

The weather wasn't the greatest, so to pass the time the girls had a contest to see who could make the biggest hair

(BEFORE)

(AFTER)

Papa & Rylan

On the way back from Oregon, we stopped in to help Justin & Khea move in to their home. We also attended their sealing, which was beautiful and the highlight of our trip.

Khea's parents

Chris & Chandler Hair drove down to join us. It was so great to see them!

Our last summer fun day was spent at Silverwood Theme Park. We met this awesome family the Rogers, who we love playing with! I was especially ecstatic about not getting sick on the roller coasters, although I stayed clear of the whirly twirly ones.

Jordan, Lani, Randi, and Chandler

As you can see, we all had a blast!

Lani giving a try at the driving range. It's right next to a shopping center parking lot, so I was worried about slicing it and beaning someone on the head. We tried to get as much tennis, pickleball, raquetball, & volleyball in as we could before our warm summer days are gone.

Richard & Randi went on a backpacking trip to Fishtrap lake. It' about a 2 mile hike in. Richard was supposed to go on a Scout outing, but it was cancelled. Randi is always such a trooper and decided to spend the night in the great outdoors with her dad.

This is her catch of the day. They look like minnows, but they're actually bass. She insisted on bringing them home and having me cook them for her to eat. She would of got more fish if she opened a can of tuna.

This pic is really tiny, but this is Lani cheering at the first football game. She is the one stunting on the left. Don't ask who won...the cheerleaders had nothing to do with that.

A summers day at the river with Janae and Randi and getting thrown from the hot dog. And yes, I did lose another watch. That makes two watches and a pair of glasses, I guess I will have to remove all accessories from my person whenever I get near water.

Georgia visit

This is Rylan Yoshio Sherman. Lani & I traveled out to Georgia to see the newest Sherman.

He's so adorable and cuddly. We definitely have Rylan withdrawls! We had a great time visiting.

Thanks Khea & Justin for showing us around Georgiaand making our stay so comfy.

Rylan and Dad

Justin is a great dad, I'm proud of you Justin.

This was before Rylan's blessing.

Lani LOVED holding Rylan

Hangin out on the base at Fort Bennion

Ranger school obstacle course

This is the log Justin had to carry on his shoulders

up a hill whenever he made a mistake

Water (something) course, I forgot what it's called

This is where Justin works