Saturday, July 18, 2015

Independence Day

Two week past the Fourth of July,
because I am nothing if not punctual.
*sigh*

Still, wanted to share some photos.

My parents always invite us up to their house for a BBQ and to watch the fireworks.


Usually, people all around the lake are lighting them off their docks.
But this year, with it being so dry and - hello - FIRES,
the main show was the city fireworks out over the distant bay.

If you were standing on my parents' deck and held out your arm,
and closed your thumb and finger to make the "okay" sign,
you could probably watch the city fireworks in the little ring your fingers make.

Well, maybe I exaggerate, but it's a long way away.
We see the big flash, and 30-35 seconds later we hear the boom.

Anyway...

this year a friend invited us to a "private location"
which I won't disclose,
except it's the roof of where he works ;D


Right above the bay.

We arrived early, set up our lawn chairs, and settled in for a show.


First God's show...


... then the fireworks.


For any of you photography buffs,
I have a Canon EOS 30D, which is having some focusing issues.


Although, I can't blame my camera for all the blurriness here,
as I was hand-holding for long exposures.


And actually, I kind of like the effect ;D
It's interesting to see the squiggles reflecting the movement of the fireworks
combined with the obvious movement of my hands.


This one looked kind of like Saturn with rings,
but you'll have to take my word for it.


And... SPUTNIK!


The rockets' red glare...


The bombs bursting in air.



I teased Kerry that this one looked like a gigantic dandelion going to seed.

He hates dandelions.


I just love these squiggles.


And this one!
This one I love!
It looks like a whole bunch of Tinkerbells and dragonflies.
As if the Tinkerbells on the right
are morphing into dragonflies on the left.

And no, I wasn't drinking, why do you ask?


Big finish...


And that was a Fourth to remember :D

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Summer Lake Days

If you ask me,
and you didn't,
but let's roll with it...

SUMMER = LAKE

When I was growing up, we lived right on the lake and in the summer
we were in it as much as we were out of it.
I could go weeks without needing a shower because we were just so clean all the time.
True story.

The boys have never had that easy access, so they don't think of it as automatically as I do,
but we try to get out to Grandpa and Grandma's beach as often as possible :D


I had just bought the boys new swimsuits, and don't they look nice?
And Gunnar is sporting his new swim shirt, because he burns.
(So does Kerry.)



The pics are from different days... the day Naomi came to the beach, the sky was still hazy with smoke and the lake doesn't look as gorgeous and blue as usual,
but that was a fun day :D



She may look spooked, in that photo, but she was having a ball.  She'd get a little cold and get out, and then pretty quickly she'd "order" the boys to take her back in :D

Of course, my fish could stay in for hours :D




 Wyatt decided to try Kerry's old wind-surfer.
He's young and strong and coordinated.
Why not?


I tried to warn him that the breeze might be a little strong...
(see the white caps, out a ways?)


... but Mom obviously doesn't know anything.
He pulled that heavy sail up out of the water over and over again...


... and fell in the lake,
over and over again.




But that's just fine.

Because the whole point is to be IN the lake,
to stay cool :D


How do you cool off when the summer gets hot?

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Huh?


We drive by this... this restaurant... regularly.  At least I think it's a restaurant.

The name confuses me, conjuring images of chemotherapy rather than cuisine.

What do you think?

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Grasshopper Days and Wings of Freedom


Grasshopper Days


For today, Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Outside my window...  a cool evening.

Hearing...  a light breeze rustling the leaves, and birds chirping... robins especially, but I've been seeing a black-headed grosbeak and boy do they sing!


Pondering...  still catching up on posting pics... the boys volunteered with their Civil Air Patrol group when the Wings of Freedom WWII aircraft came to town.  The boys aren't here to ask (they're AT Civil Air Patrol this evening), but there were at least four aircraft.  Not sure I posted a pic of the B-25, but the rest are labeled (from the outside, anyway.)

Praying...  for our living room project (replacing large window) to go smoothly and QUICKLY.  Because, you should see the state of my living room (shudder).

Thankful...  Wyatt and Tate both have jobs (WOO-HOO!) and Kerry is keeping really busy.  That's always good :D  And we got a little rain.  It's still a lot dryer here than usual, but a couple of days of rain sure cleared the air :D

B-24 Liberator

Wearing...  jeans shorts and a blue t-shirt.  Whoopee.

Creating...  I just got a call that my sewing machine is ready to be picked up.  (I've had it about fifteen years and it was running fine, but due to be serviced.)  I'm looking forward to starting a new sewing project :D

Going...  to decide what to do with all the wonderful leftover turkey meat :D  I cooked a big bird on Monday, while the weather was cool AND it was Wyatt's b'day.  I use the leftovers like chicken in all kinds of recipes.  What to do this time... hmmmmm.

Gunnar, hard at work ;D

Reading...  in between books right now.  Reading aloud to the boys a Miss Julia book.  Not their usual fare, but it's so descriptive we're all enjoying it.

Looking forward to...  well, camping in September and traveling in October, but in the meantime...
having friends to dinner on Thursday, and celebrating Wyatt's, Kerry's, and my cousin-in-law's b'day in a couple weeks.  (Is cousin-in-law a word?  You know, my cousin's husband.  It makes sense.)

P-51 Mustang - Dual Control Trainer, and the B25.

In the kitchen...  mmm-mmm turkey.  And sweet potatoes, because I love them.

In the learning rooms...  *crickets*.  Gunnar finished his testing and that's sent off, so everything else can wait.

Around the house...  oh heavens, I'll post pics of the progress as we go along.  The boys were running a Saws-all in the living room today.  You wouldn't believe how tough that old wood is!  This house was built in 1902, and they're having to cut into some of the original wood.  Whew!

B17 Flying Fortress

The Mother Load...  
* pick up sewing machine
* buy socks for the boys (holes everywhere)
* finalize our new health insurance
* sort/photograph the boys' school "save" boxes
* organize family room closet
* try to figure out the focus issues with my camera
* help Wyatt plan his course requirements for the next few quarters
* order dirt
* plant Kerry's birthday/Father's Day lithodora
* weed flower beds
* sell various things on craigslist
*sew sew sew!

Noticing that...  the boys are spending way too much time playing games on the computer.
Grrrrr.
I need to be more organized with chores to keep them busy.

Something to remember for later...  Gunnar just loves little kids.  He babysat last Monday - a preschool age boy and toddler girl.  I helped with taking her potty, but he did the bulk of the work.  And he's just over the moon about the little boy our friends are adopting... and he sure is cute!


A favorite quote for today...  
Avoid popularity if you would have peace.
- Abraham Lincoln

A few plans for the rest of the week...  a check-up for me, lunch with my neighbor Bea, company for dinner, and Tate working a lot of days.


A peek into my world...  well, the boys' world, anyway :D


Monday, July 13, 2015

Happy Birthday, Wyatt... 19!

I can hardly believe it myself, but it's true.

NINETEEN.


How did this wiry little bundle of raw energy,
turn into this handsome young man?


I don't have many pictures I can post of him as a little guy, because FILM,
but this could've been him ;D


Still, here's a little visual tour... 

Tate, about 6 months, and Wyatt 2 and a half.

The Godzilla Era

When it was still cool to sleep with your buddies

Just documenting that this kid actually NEEDS braces.

Disney Pizza Chef

Just. No. Words.

Why, of course I can surf on this piece of bark through the mud...

Ah, summer.

All duded up.

Well, Merry Christmas to you, too.

Because, soccer.
  
The re-weirds of parenting...

End of the homeschool year party


Wyatt just found out he was going to Disneyland for his 13th birthday.
So did Gunnar... look at his face.


After soccer practice.
Gotta love the Pacific Northwest.

Thirteenth birthday Disney trip

Back when he needed a chair to reach the top...

One of the wise men... or wise guys, take your pick.
  
Testoster-zone



Honor Society


When Wyatt cooks...

Yes, ladies, just get in line...



He won that...


Be still, my heart

Civil Air Patrol - flight line duty

A college student with a driver's license.
Oh boy.

With the plane he flew... solo.

I have no idea how we got here so fast,
but it's been a wild and crazy ride!

Happy Birthday, Wyatt :D