National Swear Day

This time, we measured.  We measured floor to ceiling and made allowances for the star on top and the stand below.  We measured out in the field (notice the telescoping measuring stick Kyla is holding), and there were still 4 Needs talking a certain Daddy Need out of too tall a tree!

 

Wesley was jazzed about every tree.

Piper’s “smile” gives away her feelings about this tree. 

She had another in mind.

Wesley had his own jackknife to help saw the part that split when Mama was too busy taking pictures to hold the tree. (Yeah, I have to own that one. But cute pic of Pipes above, yes?)

And hours and hours later, we have a beautiful tree lighting up our home.  Oh, I love this part!

Happy Thanksgiving

I would probably be all sappy in this post if I wasn’t actually writing it a month later and am way past temporary “insapity”.  But I enjoyed our quiet Thanksgiving puzzling out Piper and this puzzle.

Love this bunch!

(I think this is the 2nd selfie in our life for Mom and I!)

The Minecraft sword really adds a festive touch, yes?

Thanksgiving Eve

This might be one of my favorite nights of the year.  No expectations, no school/work the next four days, and maybe a little bit of readiness for National Swear Day.  After a day of work AND coaching Math Team, I was definitely in my footie jams by 5pm.  Thanks for loving me anyway, Dwayne!

At the Cabin

It’s  so  nice to be at the cabin with less chores to do!  My goal this time was to put the outside lights up at the cabin.  I wish I had remembered to take pictures, because the pergola and gardens looked good decked with Christmas lights!
The kids talked me into a late afternoon jaunt down to the beach; that is a killer walk!

Earlier that day, Dwayne and I took a lovely walk down to Sandy Point, where we got confounded by a high tide—too high to walk the beach (uh, there was no beach, a problem with winter tides!).  But the sky was blue, the eagle’s head was white, and the picture of it too small to be picked up by the camera.

The kids didn’t have to talk me into the Teardrop swing; I did that all on my own. I had been thinking about it since seeing it this summer at the local Ace hardware store. In the fall, it was on clearance.  In November, it was at the “Please Take It” price and I succumbed. It has already paid for itself and spring hasn’t even come.

Book Box and Happiness

The winner’s spoils!

OMGecko: A Piper Brag

Two days ago, Piper got this in the mail.

Yesterday, two identical boxes full of books arrived at the school, one for her, and one for her teacher.

Today, the geckos came!

It was a 5th grade highlight, I think we can agree.  Yay, Art Gecko!

Better in Bellingham II—Interurban Trail

I have fond memories of college days (um, 22+ years ago) of Saturdays biking the trail from my apartment to Larrabee State Park, and I was determined we’d do it as a family this time.

The ride was gorgeous, and maybe about 12 miles roundtrip.  The kids impressed me.  Wesley kept the lead the entire time and no one complained too much (even if, ahem, she didn’t enjoy it much).  We made it the whole way,

Really!  Kissing bridges and waterfalls and autumn leaves and gorgeous pathways.

Getting to Larrabee early afternoon gave us time to enjoy the view, clamor among rocks, and have a snack.

Bellingham, you rock!  We roll.

Better in Bellingham I

We spent my birthday weekend (which conveniently is almost always a 3 day weekend) in Bellingham, and our adventures just got better and better! This was the sunset from our first evening.

As hinted before, Piper was in A Mood.  Fortunately, Friend Emily was sending me funny hamsters eating birthday cake.  It took 3 of those to turn Piper human again, but the results are clear.  Thanks, Em!

Big Rock Garden Park

We got to Bellingham about 3:30, or close to sunset. in mid-November.  That time of day turns out to be the perfect time to discover one of my new favorite gardens!   My 4 years as a college student never brought this park to my periphery, but I’m glad we discovered it this trip.

Piper chose my birthday to once again demonstrate her distaste for sharing with her siblings.

Alone at last!

Here’s me in my Birthday Suit!

Modesty runs (or streaks) in our family

.

I don’t think Dwayne was posing or worshipping here—it’s just his natural reaction to beautiful architecture. 

This garden is naturally beautiful…

…and I hope to enjoy it the next time we visit Bellingham!

Piper Rocks, Piper Rakes

Piper has taking it upon herself to clean up the backyard.

Anyone else tempted by that huge pile?