28 July 2013

Our friend and neighbor announced his candidacy for governor this week.  We went to the first of a series of press conferences he held.  Our kids were very interested in what he had to say.  Becky was very interested in the event as political theater.  Politics aside, this is a fantastic opportunity for our kids to learn a lot about a political campaign from the ground up.

On Friday we hiked part of the Rogue River Trail that goes around Lost Creek Lake.  The entire loop is more than 18 miles.  We probably went 3 miles.  There were signs at the lake warning of blue-green algae so Becky wouldn't let the kids get in the water.

Here's a close up of Helen with her wildflower.

Here's a close up of the bane of the Pacific Northwest-- poison oak.  We know what it looks like and we stay on the trail, but Becky and Helen still got some on their skin.  The plant causes painful, itchy blisters to erupt. 

 Of course, if we are next to water then we need to throw rocks into it.

 Abe likes skipping rocks.

On Saturday we went swimming in the Applegate River with friends.  We left home early and claimed the best water hole for ourselves.

 We don't mind a hot day when swimming in a cold river.  We brought a couple of boogie boards to play with.  There were no waves on the river, but it was fun to float on them and paddle around.  Helen looked like a little motorboat as she kicked up and down the river.

21 July 2013

Sofi took this photo of Helen dressed like super girl. . .

 . . .and this photo of Gibson's epic milk mustache.

 On Friday, Helen, Abe and Becky hiked to National Creek Falls.   Gibson was at day camp and Sofi was babysitting.  The falls are beautiful-- only about half of the falls are in the photo.  It took longer to drive to the hike than Becky thought it would so we only had time for a quick photo before hurrying to drive back and pick Gibson up from camp.  We are definitely coming back with the rest of the family.

14 July 2013

Abe spent the week at a day camp learning how to rock climb.  He thrived during a challenging week-- the camp could be as easy or difficult as you chose.  Abe spent his free time from rope climbing practicing bouldering.  By the end of the week, his shins were pretty bruised and scraped up and his back and forearm muscles were very sore, but he had also gained lots of new skills and confidence.

 

Here's a photo of Abe on a difficult bouldering route called "Spiderman." The route starts under an overhang-- Abe had to jump to reach the first hand hold-- then wraps around two sides of a boulder.  Abe worked hard on this route every day and could complete it by the end of camp.

 

Sofi spent the week at the coast with friends.  Becky, Gibson and Helen went on mini adventures while Abe was at camp.  On Wednesday we rode our bikes on several miles of a bike path.  At one point the path crosses a busy street using a sky bridge.  We've driven under this bridge hundreds of times in a car, but this was our first time to ride on the bridge.

 

Helen made herself a delicious lunch on Friday: peppers, hummus and mango-passionfruit herb tea.

7 July 2013

Brandan helped Abe hang the bird feeder that Abe made at cub scout day camp.

 

For a family night activity, Brandan set out a pile of wire and small metal objects, taught the kids a little about center of gravity and balance and let them make mobiles.  The mobiles are now hanging from our cold air return vent.

 

We had a great 4th of July.

 

The kids like lighting fireworks.  The worms are easiest to see in the daylight.

 

Sparklers look better at night.

 

 Our neighbor, Matt, continues to put on an amazing firework show.  This year he had over 5000 mortars- over 20 minutes of nonstop explosions.  We spent a couple of hours Friday morning picking up the detritus along with other neighbors.  Our kids don't love picking up thousands of scraps of cardboard, but we tell them it's the price of fireworks.

 Sofi and Helen were tired of their bright orange bed.  Sofi spent this week at Girls' Camp and Helen is still sleeping on the landing, so it was a good week to repaint their bed.  Sofi picked out a light purple for her upstairs bed.  Helen wanted her bed white.  It took 3 coats of ultra hide primer to cover up the orange.

 

The bed is now light and bright.  The lighter colors have opened up the whole room.  Helen made a throne of pillows on her bed.

 

Sofi was very happy with the way it looks.  She had a great week at Girls' Camp-- her best year yet.