Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Sum, Sum, Summertime
Summer Vacation
A little late in posting. But not for the lack of good memories. We enjoyed every second of our time with Meghan, Ryan, Savanah and Laney! It was the PERFECT vacation from start to finish.
A little late in posting. But not for the lack of good memories. We enjoyed every second of our time with Meghan, Ryan, Savanah and Laney! It was the PERFECT vacation from start to finish.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Time
is marching on. . .
Sawyer started junior high today. Gym uniform, algebra, locker combination, homeroom, and parental figures MILES from the school. He is most excited that school doesn't begin until almost 9:00 am. He plans to snooze longer than us all.
Avy and Kennah are both at Candy Lane this year and were happy to let me drive them to school. Tomorrow (and all future rain-free days) they plan to ride their bikes. No small task since their school is in another city. But Slade prepared them well this summer so it's time to see if they can do it.
Sawyer started junior high today. Gym uniform, algebra, locker combination, homeroom, and parental figures MILES from the school. He is most excited that school doesn't begin until almost 9:00 am. He plans to snooze longer than us all.
Avy and Kennah are both at Candy Lane this year and were happy to let me drive them to school. Tomorrow (and all future rain-free days) they plan to ride their bikes. No small task since their school is in another city. But Slade prepared them well this summer so it's time to see if they can do it.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Portland to Glacier
Portland to Glacier
At the beginning of July we set off on our summer vacation to Glacier National Park and then on to Winona, Minnesota for the "Watts Family Reunion" (i.e. visit Meghan and Ryan.) We attempted train travel and hoped the decision would be free of regret.
We left a rainy Portland (it was July 2nd for crying out loud--enough rain, already!) at 4:00 pm and rolled into Glacier the next morning around 9:00. If it hadn't been announced by the conductor, we would have not known, as the rain arrived with us hiding any evidence of mountains. We laughed at the irony. But as the day wore on and the clouds burned off, we began to see the amazing scenery. WOW! It was about 35 degrees at almost 7000 feet. The waterfalls were everywhere and cascaded down the ENTIRE mountain range. We hiked, were in awe over the CLEAR water and even saw a bear on a bluff. It was a fantastic day.
We caught the train out of Glacier the next morning at 9:00 and enjoyed the scenery on the outskirts of the park. There was a volunteer tour guide on the train that shared a lot of info on the area as well.
The kids were amazed at the tall sky and puffy clouds of Montana. We spent the day in the lounge car playing games and stepped off the train every few hours to stretch and breathe fresh air. After a night on the train, we awoke to the Mississippi River and soon reached our destination.
At the beginning of July we set off on our summer vacation to Glacier National Park and then on to Winona, Minnesota for the "Watts Family Reunion" (i.e. visit Meghan and Ryan.) We attempted train travel and hoped the decision would be free of regret.
We left a rainy Portland (it was July 2nd for crying out loud--enough rain, already!) at 4:00 pm and rolled into Glacier the next morning around 9:00. If it hadn't been announced by the conductor, we would have not known, as the rain arrived with us hiding any evidence of mountains. We laughed at the irony. But as the day wore on and the clouds burned off, we began to see the amazing scenery. WOW! It was about 35 degrees at almost 7000 feet. The waterfalls were everywhere and cascaded down the ENTIRE mountain range. We hiked, were in awe over the CLEAR water and even saw a bear on a bluff. It was a fantastic day.
We caught the train out of Glacier the next morning at 9:00 and enjoyed the scenery on the outskirts of the park. There was a volunteer tour guide on the train that shared a lot of info on the area as well.
The kids were amazed at the tall sky and puffy clouds of Montana. We spent the day in the lounge car playing games and stepped off the train every few hours to stretch and breathe fresh air. After a night on the train, we awoke to the Mississippi River and soon reached our destination.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
CARAVAN PALACE at the zoo
On the way home from work yesterday I heard a couple of French musicians interviewed on NPR (I am a public radio junkie.) The music sounded cool and I hoped to remember the band's name so Slade could check out the CD from our library.
But even better, at the end of the story they announced the band was performing in PORTLAND. THAT NIGHT. It's been a few years since we've been to zoo concerts so we considered it. And then we found ourselves there a few hours later.
After a fine dinner of popcorn and soda, Kennah and her friend, Abby, headed to the stage to hang with Slade. Sawyer did not.
The group was INCREDIBLE. It had a funky-jazzy-techno-(saaaaweeeeet!)-sound and beat. They were all great performers and made it impossible to not dance or smile!
But even better, at the end of the story they announced the band was performing in PORTLAND. THAT NIGHT. It's been a few years since we've been to zoo concerts so we considered it. And then we found ourselves there a few hours later.
After a fine dinner of popcorn and soda, Kennah and her friend, Abby, headed to the stage to hang with Slade. Sawyer did not.The group was INCREDIBLE. It had a funky-jazzy-techno-(saaaaweeeeet!)-sound and beat. They were all great performers and made it impossible to not dance or smile! (And here is my conservative mother commentary--the dancing was all great DANCING, not the pseudo-suggestive stuff that I don't want my kids mistaking for "dancing".) 
So when we asked Abby (NOT the girl with Beiber fever) if she thought THIS music was better. She immediately responded, "This is so much more heartfelt" and showed us.
While waiting in line to meet the band and have CDs signed, this guy asked the girls what they liked and recorded their answers. They were not short of words or expressions.
The musicians were very playful and happy of the stage as well. Even with a language barrier, they each took time to write on the CD and talk with people.
And WE LOVE THEM!!
We felt pretty lucky to have stumbled upon such a great concert on a perfect summer's eve. Especially after the previous evening's conversation with Kennah which in a condensed version:
Kennah: My friend wants me to go to Justin Beiber's concert tomorrow. She needs an adult to go too.
Us: We didn't know you liked Justin Beiber.
K: I don't. But she needs someone to go with her.
Us: Tickets are $50 for the nose bleeds to the side of the stage. Do you have $100 for your ticket and one for us. (We know she doesn't so we know we won't be subjected to teen-love-boy.)
K: No $$.
Us: So sorry.
So when we asked Abby (NOT the girl with Beiber fever) if she thought THIS music was better. She immediately responded, "This is so much more heartfelt" and showed us. While waiting in line to meet the band and have CDs signed, this guy asked the girls what they liked and recorded their answers. They were not short of words or expressions.The musicians were very playful and happy of the stage as well. Even with a language barrier, they each took time to write on the CD and talk with people. And WE LOVE THEM!!Sunday, June 27, 2010
Relay 2010
Just a few images from yesterday's fun day at Relay for Life:
Sawyer took care of the game/fundraiser while drowning himself on orange crush soda and zombie stories.
Avy proudly poses next to her luminaria for Glenn. Avy sang 3 karaoke songs that night and was still going strong when Jenni, Sawyer and I fell asleep in the tent at 2:30. (It was just like sharing a room again with Jenni! Although we were too tired to have our "Annie" singing contest like we did back in the day.)
Sawyer took care of the game/fundraiser while drowning himself on orange crush soda and zombie stories.
Avy has been "training" for this portion of Relay. She definitely held her own in the watermelon eating contest.
Kennah and her dad were caught clucking through the chicken dance song. We didn't get to hang with them very much as Kennah participated in a soccer tournament this weekend and the majority of her games were on Saturday. They made their appearance, but Slade wisely took her home to sleep in her own bed.
Giovanni and Dominic quickly got into the Relay fun.
Jordan enjoys decorating the . . . luminaria bags?
Kennah and her dad were caught clucking through the chicken dance song. We didn't get to hang with them very much as Kennah participated in a soccer tournament this weekend and the majority of her games were on Saturday. They made their appearance, but Slade wisely took her home to sleep in her own bed. Giovanni and Dominic quickly got into the Relay fun.
Jordan enjoys decorating the . . . luminaria bags?
Avy proudly poses next to her luminaria for Glenn. Avy sang 3 karaoke songs that night and was still going strong when Jenni, Sawyer and I fell asleep in the tent at 2:30. (It was just like sharing a room again with Jenni! Although we were too tired to have our "Annie" singing contest like we did back in the day.)As always, Relay is a great time that I look forward to every year!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Baby
I wish she was mine, but I'll settle for being this little girl's "favorite aunt". (After all, I live with Slade and we know how things, all things, somehow turn into a competition.)
Congratulations Alisha and Steven C!
28 May 2010
9 pounds 3 ounces
21.5 inches
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