Not Professional

I have many friends who are amazing photographers...truly professional.

I, however, am not...I don't plan to be and I don't pretend to be.

This little family just wanted a few simple pictures and I thought I could do it.

It's harder than it looks I tell you...I'm hoping they'll let me have another go, I think I could really do much better.

I think their sheer good looks saved me this time.

Jetty Island

Jetty Island is basically a sand bar, a stone's throw away from the shore in the Puget Sound.

But it seems so much fancier because you take a ferry to get there.

It has actual sand! (something very rare here on the rocky shores of the Northwest) and tons of driftwood.

The day we met up with our friends on Jetty Island a bunch of sea weed had washed up.

Perfect to open up a pie shop with.

It was a beautiful day that reminded me how much I love a beach day with friends.

The Situ and Some Perspective

The Situation: In case you're wondering, is unclear.
No job yet --we were waiting for a response today but we didn't hear anything so we'll be looking in the mail for the "thanks but no thanks."

We'll be Moving--sometime in the next few weeks to the exotic Randall's Parent's Basement. Awesome.

Once we get there--??? your guess is as good as mine.

And just when I'm about to start feeling sorry for myself... a little Perspective.

I met this family last year and they're even cooler in real life.

Mysterious Benedict Society

I know these are children's books but I love them!

I was first attracted to the cover art and then to the title.

And the actual books (series of 3) did not disapoint.

I love the style of writing, it has a clipped, intelligent, clever, witty, sort of British feel.

(I'm a sucker for anything 'Anglo')

And what I love is that the author is an American living in Arkansas...ha!

I highly recommend these for you and the kids but beware...I bet you can't read just one.

P.S. If they come out with a movie don't you think I'd be perfect for Number 2?

Rewind!

I'm not sure how I missed these.

Addi and I spent an afternoon exploring our area.

We found the famed Gas Works Park.

An old gas works facility, turned park...as the name would suggest.

It has amazing views of the city and reminds me of Piers Park (East Boston).

Except there is no play ground...bummer.

...but plenty of room to run.

I think we'll come back for an evening picnic/pot luck to remember all the ones we had with our friends at Piers Park

...those were the days...

Another Splash Paddy Day

I tell ya, I do love a good splash pad.

No sand clean up.

I don't have to get in.

Convienent facilities.

Hours of relaxation while the kids run themselves to death.

Tired kids ready for bed.

...and they've basically had their bath...right?

(*Only problem, this one doesn't pump out the water like the ones in East Boston*)

Looong 4th Weekend

Columbia River

We went back down to Vancouver this weekend for some fun and relaxation with our friends.

Despite our dear hostess feeling quite under the weather and cooler than hoped for temperatures we ventured out for some fun.

We took the old Highway 30 along the Columbia River in Oregon for spectacular views and an amazing waterfall at the end.

Multnoma Falls.

We hiked up the small trail to the bridge you see in the middle.

It was quite fantastic.

The bridge itself was built in 1914...it seems to be holding up well, thank heaven.

We couldn't get a good picture on the bridge (too many people)
So we hiked up a little farther...still no luck.
I know it looks a little ridiculous me holding that long child but I thought just our heads and the falls were going to be in the picture....my bad.

We've never been here when the skies have been so clear so I tried to get pictures of some landmarks.

Mt. Hood

Mt. St. Helens-minus top-

blown off (May, 18 1980)

(terribly blurry, I had a very hard time getting this one)

We did have a fancy 4th celebration.

Starting with a BBQ

And ending with awesome fireworks.

OK I did not know that Washington State allowed fireworks...

I mean the big ones

Not like flowers and fountains

(though they allow those too)

But the really big ones that actually launch into the sky and explode!

It was awesome.

Our friends are firework fanatics...apparently.

It took more than 2 hours to light them all off!

And the neighbors were doing the same thing all around us!

Sweet.

Sparklers Rock.

On our way home it finally warmed up.

So we hit a local Splash Pad.

Poor thing has a little weggie there.