That's the way we roll.

These girls were on the road,  they made a road trip through the southern US with lots of adventures, and spent a few days in Pittsburgh before heading north, then west to Portland. Great stories; I hope you get a chance to hear them someday.

They hung around to spend a day with us, 

then there were some goodbye hugs

and some goodbye squirt gun action

and then they were on the road again.

Then it was time for Grampa to get to work.

We had a great time with Max's family in Ohio.

Here's Ralph in a fabulous sculpture at the Botanical Gardens

Max with his brothers and dad.

Poppy and cousins as water babies

Here's Ralph with Max's dad, Dave, as we're admiring Dave's truck.

Dave takes the truck to farmers' markets and gives away books from the back of the truck, art books and others that he gathers from libraries and others sources as they clear out older books.

Covered with toys, stickers, corks from wine bottles, sea shells,
musical toys that are wired to the battery. A rolling museum!

We played mini golf and had ice cream at Young's Farm "Putters and Udders." That cracks me up!

Hula hoops! 

Enjoy this little video with Poppy and her cousins, her Uncle Eli, and Bethany showing a little of their hooping prowess. 

Gotta wear real shoes

After I'd lived in California for several years, I was packing to visit Flagstaff, AZ, my hometown, and I realized I didn't have any appropriate shoes. I had sandals, canvas shoes, gym shoes, shoes with decorative cut-outs or woven leather, and dressy shoes, but no sturdy, waterproof, dirt-resistant shoes for wearing in snow or on dirt walkways.

I came ready with some dirt-worthy walking shoes this time, and I put them to good use. Of course we made the obligatory trip to Red Mountain, and we enjoyed sharing with newbies. What a magical place this eroded cinder cone is, with weird hoodoos and cinder  hills! Funny thing is, with just adults making the hike, it didn't take as long as usual!

We didn't do more than stroll along the rim of the Grand Canyon the day we went there, but we enjoyed the beautiful view as part of our lunch date with Mom. What a decadent day, driving to the Canyon to eat lunch (Navajo tacos - yum!) in the El Tovar Lodge: the original craftsman-style, Fred Harvey railroad stop right on the rim of the canyon.

Mmmm, a Navajo taco is Indian fry bread topped with chili and taco fixings.

Here's Ralph, taking pictures of us during our hike at the top of Oak Creek Canyon. I love the rocks!

Here's another hike, on the Sandy's Canyon Trail, where we saw pines and aspens, sandstone and basalt, wildflowers, and even a cute little horned toad!

We also hiked on the Kachina Trail, on the San Francisco Peaks. That's 11000' altitude.

There were also hikes taken around our cabin in the woods, but I opted for relaxation on the deck, instead!

Here's Pamela, who blew out her Italian hiking boots on our first day. She made the rest of our hikes wearing her Teva sandals. So much for real shoes!

Pamela tied the semi-detached soles to the tops of her boots to make the hike out of Red Mountain.

New Finish

Pretty new finish: this design is Garden Fence by Hyacinth Quilt Designs, and all the fabrics are by Amy Butler. I started with the paisley my sister Pamela chose for her contribution to Grace's birthday quilt, and added other fabrics in pink and green.

Free motion quilted; a free-form flower shape centered in each square, with big, wavy petals, and leaves to fill in empty corners. FMQ means I move the quilt under the needle of the sewing machine, and draw a picture with thread. Just think of the way names are added to Mickey Mouse hats at Disneyland. 

Here's the birthday girl, getting ready to blow out the candles on her Baskin-Robbins ice cream cake. After all, we all worked at Baskin-Robbins in High School, except Pamela!

We celebrated Pamela's birthday in Flagstaff, staying at this beautiful cabin with this glorious view of the San Francisco Peaks. This is the geography of our childhood!

Notice the beautiful pine forest, it smells wonderful! 

 Here's the birthday girl, isn't she cute?

She likes it!

Milestones

Kathryn
Kathryn graduated from Lewis and Clark College! Yes, the time has flown by, though when Kathryn begins to lists her many experiences and projects, and I note the maturity and grace she's growing in, surely it's been longer than four years.

Thank you, Amy, for snapping this pic, I wish you were in it!
I'm glad you joined us for the grad ceremony!

I'm so glad Ralph and John and I were able to spend the long graduation weekend in Portland with Kathryn. We tried to do as many official, grad-oriented activities as we could, but the first day, after a reception in the SoAn department and an Honors convocation, we were done!

Honored for her writing!

Kathryn pointed out that for every student being recognized for achievement, there are many others who have likewise made great accomplishments, and other kinds of recognition of their efforts.

Seniors Banquet

We enjoyed some of Portland's hot spots, like Stumptown coffee and Powell's bookstore, and Nicholas Restaurant and Tin Shed and Dick's Cafe. Everywhere we went, we ran into groups of L&C graduates and their families, everyone congratulating one another and cheering each other on. At one point, there was a cluster of graduating students talking and reminiscing, and a surrounding ring of parents and family joyfully observing their interactions, and beaming with pride and happiness for our kids. What a great atmosphere.

That's a giant pita at Nicholas Restaurant

Not enough time in Powell's!

Hipsters

Several times, Kathryn hugged us and thanked us for coming, and for being willing to be a part of the flow of events and gatherings. Thank you, Kathryn, for welcoming us into your circles, and letting us enjoy the people and places you love!

Beautiful flowers everywhere!

Enjoying the sunshine, napping on Mt. Tabor

John
Prom! John went to prom with Cody, complete with tuxedo, corsage and boutonniere, and group ride in a limo to dinner and to the dance.

Photo credit to John Hurd

Photo credit to Frank and Charlene Sousa