Classroom Fun

It's artist-in-residence week for Jake & Emily. They and their classmates are making masks. Here are some photos of Part 1... shaping the mask and paper mache (other key steps include making a huge mess and recess). Next week... painting.

Bowling, Bouldering & Biographies

It's that time of year in Portland - when it's too early for ski season and a bit to late into the Fall to expect too many visits from the sun. Thus, we find ourselves searching out non-soggy opportunities for fun.

Since Veteran's Day was a holiday for dad and the kids, we celebrated with a visit to The Circuit Gym for some "bouldering" with friends Eli and Francesca. Here are some photos.

Veteran's Day is also Grandpa Carl's birthday, and as Emily pointed out this morning, it's the day before she and Jake celebrate their half-birthdays!

Jake and Emily were hard at work with school projects over the long weekend - October was biography month - and Destination Imagination keeps their creative juices flowing. Drew is part of a Lego Robotics team, but we've yet to capture that work on film... it's top-secret until the competition in December!

Hope you enjoy the photos.

Trick or Treat!

It was a record haul last evening for the Jubilee Crew, pictured here as a devil, mad scientist and nerd. The rain that had been expected held off, making for an extra pleasant evening. We spent it with some Bridlemile friends and enjoyed being able to make the evening last without the stress of having school and work the next day.

Here are some photos of our Halloween activities. Included are some shots from a meeting of Jake's and Emily's "Destination Imagination" team.

Ready, Aim, Fire

Pat and the boys are taking archery lessons these days... it's not the same as spear-fishing, but at least it's keeping their shooting arms in good shape for future fishing opportunities!

Here they are with friends Henry and Eamon at a special kids' Halloween shoot this past weekend.

You'll notice in the photo album that we've also installed a little piece of Jubilee - our hammock chair - in the backyard. It's been sunny and close to 70 here all week, but apparently those days are numbered. Halloween may be a wash-out, but we're thinking positive.

Guess Who We Ran Into...

You just never know who you'll run into around here! We were walking home from the Farmer's Market yesterday when we happened upon this photo opportunity. Senator Obama was a bit "flatter" than we expected, but we enjoyed our brief visit with him none-the-less!

Pumpkin Party

We visited Sauvie Island this weekend to pick pumpkins and take part in Kruger Farm's annual Fall Festival. Here are photos. 

The kids are getting very excited about Halloween... especially Jake. In fact, he kind of goes "mad" this time of year!

Aurora Farmers' Fair

Just returned from a trip to Indiana to join in celebrating the 100th anniversary year of the Aurora Farmers' Fair with Grandma Janet, Grandpa Carl, Uncle John, etc.  Here's a photo album. 

The kids got to enjoy the rides and games with their cousins, Kaylee and Brooke; watch Grandma Janet's class float go by in the annual Saturday morning parade; and take in a performance of an Army drum & fife corp at the local high school.

Special thanks to Aunt Judy and Charlotte DeVille for helping make our visit a surprise. Dad didn't make the trip, but the kids were able to stay in touch via one of the fair webcams.