My parents had to go home the first week of July. We had a really nice time. Before they left we all went out to Senor Billy's for dinner to celebrate my Mom's 60th birthday and my Dad's 70th. Josephine slept through the entire event. Once my parents left, Daddy was on his own to babysit. He took her to Two Step to teach her how to relax at the beach. The next day we did the exact opposite of relaxing. We piled in the car and went shopping at Costco as a family for the first time. It was slightly stressful, but we survived. Later that evening we went over to our friend's (Mike and Crystal) farm. They have horses and goats so that was the first time Josephine saw such big animals. She didn't seem phased. It will be more of a thrill once she is older.

     Firsts this month: First time she put her toes in the ocean, first time seeing horses and goats, first family trip to Costco, first trip with just Daddy to the beach, first time petting Buddy (our dog), first time going to church, first time she took and held a toy (from Daddy), first time she went to Lowe's, the bank and post office with Daddy, first time shopping at Walmart and Safeway with Mommy, first dinner at Bob and Beryl's, drank first bottle at the beach with Daddy, first time she hulled, sorted and roasted coffee with Daddy, first church picnic and her first shots. Most of her firsts this month were fun. The shots were not so good. She did really well and did not cry very long. Mommy did well and did not cry. Josephine had a slight reaction to the shots. She had a low fever and did not sleep well for the next three nights. She got up four times each of those nights, so we were all pretty tired. At the doctor's office, Josephine weighed 11.5 pounds in the naked (as my Dad would say).

     I went back to Tae Kwon Do this month. There were new people in the class so that is cool, but also a regular who was the head belt stopped attending. He graduated from high school and is busy with all of his girlfriends. Two of my friends got to the next belt level so I am now the only yellow belt/green stripe. I am still trying to remember everything. They have plastic boards for breaking. We don't have to go to Lowe's to buy pine boards anymore which is nice. I broke the easier plastic boards with an elbow, but didn't try the hardest board yet.

     Jodi and Joe moved in this month. It has been great to have Jodi watch Josephine. She loves her and takes great care of her. I am so lucky to be able to work at home, have my baby so close and so well cared for. Joe is helping Todd with the farm which is some need of attention. The grass grows so quickly right now that it is hard to keep up. Sun and rain everyday makes the coffee grow well, but also the grass. It is also a weight off of Todd's mind that Joe is here to take care of the farm. Todd will be out of commission with his upcoming surgery. Joe's parents came for a visit, so Todd had to watch Josephine for a week. He took her to the beach several days and they did errands together. She was really good for him.

     Our only guests this month (besides family) were from New Jersey. It is always nice to hear about the east coast from different people and get their impressions of Hawaii.

     We have had some sad news this month. My cousin, Jason, was in a very bad car accident. Thanks goodness, he is home after a rough stay in the hospital and is on the mend. Also our friend, Gary, died early this month from a cliff diving accident.

     Happy 70th Birthday to my cool Dad and happy 40th birthday to my old lady (just kidding) sister, Sissy! You would never guess the correct age of the people in my family. They look much younger!