Kate's blog: August 2014

Ellen and Brooke took the train up to Seattle to visit Sara and her family for a couple nights.
Brooke had fun decorating Sara's driveway and getting spoiled.

After leaving the train station we stopped by Jamison Park for a picnic lunch and play in the fountain.
The boys are just getting their feet wet here...

But soon they joined in with everyone else!

Zach, Nicholas, and David.

Brooke's swim lessons.
About to jump off the diving board.

There she goes!
She has no fear of the diving board!

Aug 6 - Trying out the newly renovated "Gramma's Park," which is actually Ryland Park.

Beau, Zach, Riley, and Nicholas being boys.

Aug 8 - Nicholas has passed up Gramma!

Watching an outside movie of "Mr. Peabody and Sherman" at Harleman Park
Brooke and Sarya in the front, Gabe, Nicholas and Zach behind.

A new washing machine! A top loader without the agitator.
My 13-year-old one had been leaking oil for years and now leaking water.

I've tested many chocolate chip cookie recipes until Mike has decided I've found THE BEST one.

Aug 11 - We visited the Portland Zoo and while watching the eagles, the kids could sit in an eagle's nest.

Gabey and a turtle swimming by.

David and a big fish.

Nicholas with lazy lions in the background.

Brooke liked the snakes.

Look! Kid-sized gophers poking up through the holes!

Aug 16 - The much anticipated event of the summer: The Intel Party!
This year's theme was Extraterrestrials.

Bat girl face painting.

Miniature golf

Pony rides

Gabey's first pony ride.

Electronics tent
I know - so strange to find ALL 4 BOYS in this tent!

The hugely awesome slide!
David going solo.

They pour baby soap at the top to make you slide faster.

Nicholas' turn

We spend all day there, eating food, winning prizes, riding electric cars, doing crafts, writing letters to servicemen,
sno-cones, exotic animals, ping pong, basketball, air hockey, bounce houses, volleyball, sandcastle contests, hulu hoop contest, swimming pool, etc.

Aug 17 - after driving 3 hours and only 6 miles from our campsite, we have car trouble.
Fortunately, Mike's sister was about 20 minutes behind us and they could shuttle kids to their cabin, near our campsite. We had our suburban towed to a fix-it shop and some very nice friends drove 3 hours to pull our trailer to our campsite.

On with camping! Beautiful spot near Sisters, Oregon right on a lake.

The lake was perfect to play in.
Here's David showing us "what a girl looks like."

We should have bought a raft, but the kids actually had more fun playing on this log.

Gramma and all her grandkids.

Kids on the log out in the lake.

Gabey and dad

Tom, Hazel, Zach, David, Gabe and Mike, Brooke

Gabe is 2 and Hazel is 7 months younger.

Sara, Mike, Zach, Nicholas, Brooke, and Tom (the little ones stayed at the cabin with Gramma)
Heading out on an adventurous bike ride: Downhill about 5 miles on bike trails. Brooke was quite a trooper!
However, at the bottom when we were ready to bike back up, we noticed she had a very flat tire. So she and I waited at a touristy store by the river while Mike and the others rode back uphill and he got the suburban (now fixed) to pick us up.

These 3 had so much fun playing make-believe with sticks and rocks.

Another pic of Gramma and all her grandkids on a log.

Wienie roast

Aug 21 - I truly cannot believe that after 33 years of wearing glasses and 28 years of contacts,
I DON'T NEED THEM ANYMORE!!
Just a flat out miracle.
After Lasik surgery, I went from -8.50 (20/1600) to 20/20 vision.

24 hours after surgery.
No pain, no redness, NO BIGGIE!

Aug 28 - One more camping trip: to Spokane to celebrate Grandad's 100th birthday.
Kids drinking Yoo-Hoos.

The boys playing Magic cards in the trailer.

We camped next to the Little Spokane River with Adam's family and here is Spencer and David by the river.

Zach, Nicholas, and Papa heading up the big rocks for a great view.

On the left are the rocks they hiked up, the right is the swinging bridge, that really didn't swing.

Zach got himself out there, can he make it back?

Ashley and Nicholas figuring out the rented kayaks.

Aunt Michelle and Brooke navigating the paddle boards.

Zach, Spencer and David
Mom, Gabe, and I missed most the water play because we were driving around from urgent care to doctor's offices to get a Lego removed from Gabe's nose, but I ended up getting it out myself with tweezers. HA!

We also hung out at mom and dad's place (they live in Denny and Chris' basement) with a beautiful view out their back patio and Papa even set up an outdoor movie for the kids.

Each year we celebrate Grandad's birthday at Audubon Park in Spokane. My cousin, Sam, always makes an amazing cake. This year was especially fantastic! It represents Grandad's 90+ years of playing the piano and being in jazz bands.