Ton and Dan's Family Fall Happenin

We walked right into Martha's fall birthday party. Tonya and Dan had smoked ribs from their smoker, delicious coleslaw, baked beans and a mud pie dessert celebrating Lisa and Wayne's September birthdays. I was so taken by all the fall decorations that I came right home and put away all my summer seashells--only to discover that I had nothing "autumn-like" to replace them with. Hmm...maybe I'll just throw some maple leaves on the floor, spread gourds all over the dining room table and light brown candles. Well, somehow it's just so much nicer to look back at these pictures and live fall vicariously through her. I do love fall--I just don't have all those lovely ceramic pumpkins and vases. But you just wait until winter--I was there when SNOWMEN came into vogue and boy do I have snowmen.

We had a lovely evening--always elegant at this house. Of course we love the company too!


Scrappy is ready for Halloween!



A familiar sight--Jacqueline and Uncle Terry, deep in conversation. Double click to see one of those great ceramic pumpkins in background.


Blue Eyes Cryin in the Rain--sounded great!

Wayne, this was the most flattering "moving" picture I had! The youngsters moved in the big hutch that came from the Montana farm. Double click on picture to see Wayne up close!

Enjoying September

The view from Janae and Kelly's...we always enjoy this spot~ And the steak dinner with lava cakes for dessert was most delicious!! Let's see-- is this how the other half lives (below)? Ya know-- I'd rather be here taking their picture! Besides that, I get seasick--ok, maybe someday..

So, can you get us to 55th and Main?--Kelly stops to help the curious traveler, of which there are many, in Gas Town.
Beautiful "Turnco" columns--a business that has Dad very impressed!


Brian, Kelsay, Darryl and Terry head down the Skagit for a 20 mile trip. Canoe/ kayaks/grilled burgers on the shore/wet feet/wet pants(hmm, notice the tree)/good company/great day in the NW

On Wheels

Darryl and Kelsay enjoying an alternative mode of travel~~even in the rain!

A "Mount Baker" Monday

It was a beautiful day on Mount Baker. Terry loves the high "alpine" and I like the fact you can drive there, then hike around! The weather was nearly 80 degrees and the meadows were blooming. The Northwest is a beautiful place! And I have Mondays off this year, so we plan to enjoy more of it.




Baker Lake off in the distance. One lady asked, "Is that Lake Chelan?"--maybe a map is in order?

This picture tells the tale of why they call this "Artist Point". Click on picture to see hers--she's good!

The Perfect S'more on a gorgeous Sept. evening..

Drew definitely makes the BEST s'more we've ever tasted. Quite an art and so gooey and runny that you look positively messy when you're done, but it is so good..you don't care!
Thanks sweet family for letting us enjoy you and your kids tonight! We are so glad you're in our neck of the woods!!

Can She Really be in School???

Oh dear-- our sweet Jacqueline is growing up! She's off to school and happy to take the bus the 2nd day. She is loving school--Uncle Terry and I can't wait to visit here there!! She will be a delight to that teacher, we are very sure!! Would love to be a mouse in that corner. She says there are 3 girls and zero boys at her table.
Sister Julia heads off to preschool, which will also be quite an experience. Tonya, what will you do with your 1 and a half hours twice a week?:o)

Catching up....

Today Jan and I did 12 miles to prepare for the 1/2 marathon a bunch of us are doing. It was great! I guess I can do this! Justin planted the seed in May when I was feeling particularly out of shape (I was!) so here we go. I think I'm hooked but I hope my body cooperates. Yep, the feet needed some pampering!!


Don and Darlene came for Auntie's funeral and stayed with us. Sunday we have a quick lunch. Sherry, Nellie and kids, Troy, Lisa and Jim join us. We so enjoyed all our cousin time together that we decided we need to do a family reunion on the Oregon Coast next summer at Don and Darlene's vacation spot.

Tribute to a dear Auntie...
On July 23rd we were with Auntie, she played the piano one last time, then she bravely went on to her reward a week and a half ago. She will be so missed. She was a dear mother, grandma, auntie and friend to so many.



The following are snapshots the day of her funeral. The Leibrands had a lunch for us at their beautiful home after the service. The pictures are not in the order they happened Saturday.




Auntie loved to stop and smell the roses too! Never to busy for flowers!




Auntie will be missed but most of all she leaves a legacy that we all aspire to reach!!



Ahhh...school begins....
So what do you do the Friday before school starts? You head for the water! This is one of our favorite walks in B'ham. This after stopping at marvelous bakeries in Edison on the way up.




And a new addition to Boulevard Park--Woods Coffee House.


Sarah andTyson tie the knot with Cahlen's help.


Above: Parents of the groom, good friends, Gary and Jan.
Below: Bellingham-ites.