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)

Valentine's Week

Valentine's Week has been a virtual whirlwind (that's speaking metaphorically, of course). It's been a good week for chocolate. The kids and I made heart shaped sugar cookies, based on the success of cookies baked the previous weekend for a trampoline meet, as well as fudge, cut out in the shape of hearts. Even with giving lots away, we consumed plenty ourselves. Valentine's evening, we had dinner with our good friends, the Thompsons, which meant the kids went to bed an hour after bedtime. I did not help put them to bed, as I volunteered to shut the chicken coop door to keep out unwanted critters. Ever since our Christmas night encounter with the most ENORMOUS possum in the coop, eating eggs and chicken feed (one chicken as well - but not that evening), we have been shutting them in at night. We've only forgotten once to let them out the next day. Anyway, I put on my boots and marched out into the night with my flashlight, only to discover a new, smaller possum in the coop. I won't say how we dispatched the creature, but it won't be eating my chickens or their organic $22 per 50 lb. bag of feed any more either.

Just so you know, the best way to deal with possums is to drive over them with your car - it's compassionate and quick. Also, this evening marked our 22nd engagement anniversary, and I must say we have become quite the efficient possum dispatching team.

Last night, Jack and I enjoyed an authentic Brazilian meal in the U District, with friends Uschi and Luis. The kids had pizza at Grandma Bev's house. The food could not have been better, and it was nice that Uschi and Luis speak fluent Portugese. As a bonus the restaurant is right across from R&E cycles, where we bought our first mountain bikes many years ago.

Emma had a gymnastics meet today at our home gym. She had plenty of family to watch, although Rilla & Cian spent much of the time eating chips or jumping in the pit of foam. As soon as Colin hooked up with his friend, Spencer, he was lost to the world of Nintendo DS. Caleb brought art supplies and generally wandered around.

Christmas Wrap-up!

We had a great Christmas! Let's see...here is a numerical account:

1 = The number of Christmas cards that were returned due to an incorrect address.
2 = The number of glass Christmas tree decorations broken (tied with last year's record!)
3 = The number of packages for distant relatives...which incidently were shipped on time.
4 = The number of gifts that had to be returned or were missing parts (all purchased by Jack & Gail for Brenchley kids).
5 = Number of Brenchley kids.
6 = Number of hours added up on December 16th for performances (both The City Church kids' Christmas program & then the kids' piano recital in the evening). This doesn't include lunch with the Marquees at the Kitanda Brazilian restraunt.
7 = The number of days it took Papa Ray and cat Ojo to cross the country via RoadTrek camper.
8 = The number of plates of cookies passed out to neighbors while Christmas Caroling.
9 = The date in December that the family went to the Lobb's Gingerbread making party.
10 = The number of December events (either hosted or attended) according to Emma.
11 = The number of hours (including travel time) for the Christmas Day celebration at Good Beach with the Ostling side of the family.
12 = The number of different "Twelve Days of Christmas" lists the Brenchley kids created this year.

All in all we accomplished just about everything we needed to...although we did pospone viewing the Bellevue Botanical Gardens d'Lights display until after Christmas and only just yesterday dropped a gift off with Jamie.

R2-D2 in Prison!

Caleb (11) is one of our budding artists and here is his first stab at electronic art (using Windows Paint no less!). He thought the zoom tool was really helpful. So...when do we start him on real drawing programs like Illustrator or Freehand?

Caleb 12.23.07

2007 Christmas Newsletter

This year we tried for a less, "tell everything that happened over the year" approach and made cutouts of the kids that folks could include in their Christmas Creshes. Here is a thumbnail of the page:

Christmas Newletter 2007