Soccer Camp

Caleb, Emma, and Colin, attended the NW Soccer Academy camp this week. Here is Emma's artwork titled, "Go Team!"

"Go Team" by Emma (9)

Goodbeach July 2008

We spent three days and two nights up at Goodbeach; Gail’s family’s beach front house on Whidbey Island (See April 07 for more Goodbeach blogging). Gail’s Grandparents, Allan and Arlie Ostling, built the house in the early 70’s and Gail has fond memories of Summers spent on the island (don’t ask her about berry picking though).

Some of the things we did included, hiking to the point, and two extended hikes:

1. Hiked from Ebey’s Landing up along Perego’s bluff. It was pretty foggy out and we couldn’t see Port Townsend let alone any shipping traffic when we started out. Had a small lunch at a ‘Whale Bone’ looking fallen tree. Gail was able to find where the trail that they used to take across the island from Goodbeach came out – now it is fairly overgrown.

Continuing the hike we dropped down to the beach and came back that way. The sun had come out by then and was actually getting warm! The kids were excellent hikers and the two littles only needed a relatively small amount of carrying.

On the way back we stopped at Prairie Center and then in town at Kapaw’s ice cream for essentials. They do great ice cream and are definitely worth the stop! Interestingly, the building Kapaw’s is in had once been owned by Luther Weedin, Gail’s Great Uncle (Arlie’s Uncle) who was the Island County Sheriff and later U.S. Immigration Commissioner in Seattle in the Twenties. We slurped our ice cream as we walked the wharf to the red barn to look at real whale bones.

2. The second hike was the next day where we stopped off Highway 20 and hiked in Kettles Park across to Fort Ebey State Park. Kettles is named appropriately due to the many glacial indentations in the area (check out the topo). Without a map and numerous enticing trails scattered through the area we took a round about way finally ending up in the park. Jack trek’d back to fetch the van; needing Gail’s guidance over the talk-a-bout to sort out the marked and unmarked trails. Everyone was worn out and the vote was to return to Goodbeach. There folks swam, laid out on the beach, and even had s’mores after dinner!

Overall it was a jam-packed three days! Here are images for Cian, Rilla, Colin, Emma, Caleb, Gail, & Jack. See more at our Photobucket site.

Perego's Bluff 7.1.08

Whale Watching

Yesterday we went on a whale watching adventure through Island Adventures out of Anacortes. Here is Caleb and Emma's narrative:

"It was Uncle Jack and Aunt Shirl's 65 Anniversary so we went on a whale watching tour. We saw Orcas, Seals, Eagles, and a Tufted Puffin. And I got to watch a slide show." -Caleb (12)

"We started are trip by eating snacks.then Kate (are guide) started pointing out small birds.Soon a lady yelled "whales"and pointed to 3 or 4 orcas sticking their heads out of the water.we watch the orcas for awhile then finally thay moved to the other side.we also saw seals,eagles,and the first tufted puffin of the year.soon we headed home.I lots of fun! hay! its not every day you get to go whale watching and see orcas!" -Emma (9)

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Here are some images from the trip of whales, Cian, Rilla, Colin, Emma, Caleb, & the whole gang. You can see more images at our Photobucket site.

Whale watching 6.10.08

Award Winning Art!

As the older three kids were taking an art class in Duvall at the Northwest Art Center, they entered into the Duvall Days Art Show. Emma actually won first place in her age division and netted an award check for $65 (and mention in the local paper)! Her dog painting, "Puppy Angel" was displayed at the local dog wash business - not surprisingly. More surprising was that her color choices fit in quite nicely. Not to be outdone, both of the boys did well. Here is Colin's runner up Dragon. Here is Emma and her art on display:

Emma & Art 6.6.08

The possum cach

Earlier this month,we began to wonder why our chicken feed was disappearing too quickly.Then this week, we figured out that a possum had been getting into the coop and was stealing little by little. Once we figured out where the possum was getting in, Dad put a trap in front of the hole and put feed in it. Then on Monday, April 28 we caught it! It was a girl possum. Then Dad took it over to a garbage can full of water and drowned it. Later that day,(when I was at the gym)the boys found out that it was a mom! It had three baby possums in its pouch. Unfortunately Mom and I didn't get to see them. When they told us. Mom felt really sad, even though she hates possums. -Emma

Freewinds Haulout II

Work has been progressing on the Freewinds. Today they pulled it out at CSR's Lake Union yard in order to finish out the fiberglass on the deck. Since we tip the scales at around 40 tons they had to bring in a moble crane and Jack was able to take some shots as the event proceeded. Yes, that's the actual city backdrop - honestly, it wasn't 'Photoshop'd in.'

Freewinds 4.7.08

National Geographic Live with Robert Ballard

Caleb and Jack went to see Dr. Robert Ballard (most famous as the discoverer of the R.M.S. Titanic) at a National Geographic Live presentation at the Seattle Symphony’s Benaroya Hall. For the boys, dinner in Seattle consisted of Subway sandwiches (how fitting!). Here is Caleb’s report, which he typed himself:

My report on Robert Ballard's speech. Robert Ballard's inspiration to be an ocean explorer is that when he was young he wanted to be 'Captain Nemo'. His parents didn't ignore this, instead they inspired him. When a teenager in need of a job he joined the Navy, and got his first underwater mission. To find the heat sorse of a underwater sea valt. His second mission was to find some french batleships with the undercover of trying to find the TITANIC ,what a suprise when he found it!

-Caleb (11)