Summer Fun #1

So on Monday morning, June 21, I met up with Becky and her girls and we headed off to the zoo. Wasn't bad weather-wise. Okay so it was a little cool (as Gracie would attest to all morning) but it wasn't raining.

I had Kaylee and Grace pose with the little bronze squirrel that sits on a bench just after you enter the zoo. I often wonder how many people miss this little guy with his lunchbox!

The zoo brought back lions last year to a new exhibit. Didn't see them last year as they were hiding from the heat. Not a problem this year. But it was hard to get a picture with the bronze statues all by yourself. (Kaylee, Grace, Aubrey)

Grace got to the top of the climbing wall. Again, lots of people (and they don't seem to share/take turns like the "old" days).

The zoo has a new baby elephant born here last year. Here he is receiving some training.

This statue is always a favorite. There are some real mountain goats in the enclosure behind here.

Always a good time at the zoo!

Then after lunch we met up with Kristina, Mandie and their kids to visit Ft. Vancouver. In all the years I've lived here this was probably only the 3rd time I've been here. Kids come here for field trips during school. Kristina was able to volunteer for some of the archealogy digs here and knew a great deal about all the buildings and what goes on. She teaches the grade that visits here as well.

Okay so in the woodworking shop Kristina told us one of the most common things made in those days were coffins for children.

Here's all the cousins who came today. Always a fun bunch.

Is it loaded?

Looks like trouble here. (Ethan, Jayden)

Here in the blacksmith shop the man showed the kids how to use a flint and steel, then let them each try.

Then add some jute, everybody blow and FIRE!

This is your leg in a beaver trap. (Hayden in front, Kaylee in back)

Grace kept trying to hold Ethan's hand all afternoon but he would have none of it. Looks like they came to a truce so they could walk together (with Hayden). And of course by now, Grace was letting us know how hot she was.

Lorien gets a ride back to the car. What a great day. Wore my legs out for sure.

Becky Graduates From Clark College

So here's the happy graduate with her daughter Kaylee who also attended the ceremony.

Becky was able to graduate with an Associate Arts degree from Clark Community College. It has taken a lot of work on her part especially holding down 2 part-time jobs and being a single mom.

How wonderful to have sisters to support and appreciate her accomplishments. Mandie was babysitting the other 2 girls on this night.

Aw... the proud parents. We couldn't be prouder of her.

Love ya, Becky

Portland Rose Parade 2010

Okay so it's been more than 20 years since we've been to the Grand Floral Parade in Portland. This year our granddaughter was marching with the Prairie High band. Who knew she'd follow in her mother's footsteps with the same high school band!!! Anyway the parade has changed a lot since then but we had a good time with the big street party that happens this time every year.
We were lucky to be able to sit next to very friendly, non-smoking people. Across the street was Reser's and they had a barbecue going on plus they gave out pepperoni sticks to everybody.

Here's our little group on the street. Some people camp out (we had friends and sons who use to do that) but we managed to find a fairly decent spot relatively close to the starting point. When they close off streets later in the morning more seating opens up for latecomers like us.

Key Bank (big sponsor) was passing out chalk along the parade route and Anna made this sign for her sister to march over. By the time the parade comes by the street is covered in drawings.

There was a magician walking the street and stopping every now and then to entertain the crowd. He came to us and picked Jayden to help him with some of his tricks. That was fun and it kept the boys busy for a while. Jayden loved it. Here he helps turn an umbrella into scarves and vice versa.

Here comes the Prairie High marching band with their director.

I understand the band took 3rd over all the bands.

Follow the arrows to Meghan who plays the trumpet - very well I might add. By the time we saw her in the band we couldn't get a decent shot so some of us took off down the street getting more chances for pictures. I think she thought it weird to keep seeing us in different spots.

The floats (which were fewer than we remember) weren't as spectacular as they use to be but here's a few of the best. This is the Key Bank (big sponsor) float. Features storybook characters (i.e. Robin Hood, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan).

The guy in the white suit walking alongside is a Royal Rosarian. One or more of them accompany the entries - at least the floats anyway. It's a big society that's in charge of the whole thing.

There's a little boy dressed like a chimpanzee in the mouth "playing" the teeth. You could here the music, plus the mouth opened and closed on him! See the guy in the red shirt on the right? He's communicating with the float driver who can't see so well!

This was Fred Meyer's contribution - loved the birds and birdhouses and lots of flowers. (Ignore the Broadway Furniture sign in the back - it was across the street from us.)


This was one among MANY horse groups. The Pendleton Mounted Cowboy Band. They stopped in front of us and with encouragement, played for us.

This was a group of over 400 Boy Scouts that was the area National Jamboree Contingency. Most of them (if not all) were carrying flags. It was a neat sight.

It was little chilly when we first got there just after 8:00 am but the sun came out and got warm by parade time (10:00 am). Reached 80 degrees this day - the latest day in the year to hit it as far as records go. Let's hope summer is finally here!!!

Okay so it's time to blog again. I meant to do Christmas but it just didn't happen. So let's start with today.

8 years ago in 2002, 3 little babies were born within about 6 weeks of each other. This past week those 3 little grandbabies were all baptized!

This is A'dra, Jayden, and Kaylee

First was A'dra on February 28.

Next was Jayden, on March 6.

Then came Kaylee on March 7.

Needless to say it has been a busy week preparing for these events. We have had the privilege of our family gathering around in support of each other and just enjoying one another's company.

This is A'dra with her dad, our son Rick. Doesn't she look gorgeous and excited to be baptized?

This is Jayden with some of the special men in his life: grandpa, dad, and uncle Jon. He looks excited too - as well as toothless.

This is the Labadie family afterwards. Anna, Kristina, Dion, Meghan and Jayden & Ethan. What a great group!

After Jayden's baptism on Saturday morning everyone came to the house for a barbecue lunch. This is a favorite family activity. We were blessed with a warm sunny day which is not a usual March happening. The cousins had a blast playing in the "woods" and the sandbox as well as the swings. Jeff and his family came over from Pasco to join us.

Kaylee, Jayden, Jesse up a tree!

Gracie!





Usually we enjoy the shade of the maple tree during our barbecues but as you can see it was a little too early in the year for leaves! I don't think we've ever had an outdoor barbecue this early before.

YUM...

Ice Cream Floats!!!

Later in the afternoon Jayden was participating in his very first Pinewood Derby. His cousin Wesley would be racing in his last derby.

Jayden's car is on the left and Wesley's is on the right.

Jayden came in 5th overall. What a cute car!

(How appropriate for the son of a teacher!)

Wesley came in 4th overall. What a jazzy truck.

Jesse brought a couple of his cars along and the cousins were actually able to race each other after the derby. His "money" car was pretty fast!

Cousins enjoying more root beer floats!!!

Jesse, Austin, Ethan, Jayden
















This is Kaylee with grandpa on her special day. Earlier in the week she had tripped and split her lip open, needing 3 stitches inside her lip. Thankfully the swelling went down tremendously before today.

After Kaylee's baptism Becky had cake and ice cream at her house. One of the MANY people attending the baptism was Tammy and her cute little family. We don't get to see each other so often these days. This is her with my mom. Someone mistook Tammy for one of Becky's sisters and she laughed, "Haven't heard that in years!"

It was great to have family together during this time. I can't think of when I've been more proud of or thankful for my family. They are a great bunch and I love them all.