Pineapple Classic pictures are in!!

Click on this link to see some of the race day pictures.  http://www.facebook.com/portlandpineapple

Waffles and Berries

Alli and Ben had us all over for waffles today. Peach waffles ....yum. Afterwards we saw pictures of their vacation and then they took us berry picking. We just walked around the corner in their neighborhood and there were wild blackberries. I imagine Franny would have made a pie already. I washed some for a picture, we got lots. I think I want to make a beach and berry pie. That would be good...but I meant to say peach and berry pie. Come on up Franny and I'll take you picking. These were free baby!

Pineapple Classic

Amelia was in charge of an obstacle course/fundraiser for L&L Society on Saturday. The 400 participants came in groups of 2 or more, many in costume, to participate in the activities. Teams left every 30 seconds to climb the wall, crawl under a net, run through a river waist high, carry balls filled with water through sand pits and more. Afterwards there were vendors, free products, a luau lunch and pyramid beer. The outfits were fun to see. There were serious racers - it was a 5K, there were families, people there just for the fun and a bounce house for the kids. Very family friendly event. The 18th obstacle was that the team had to carry the pineapple from the start to the finish! I intended to get lots of pictures but I was a volunteer in registration, which was fun but Paul got what pictures we have. Since it was in Canby John and Alexis dropped by to say hello. Amelia did a great job and it was a raging success. This is Chris and Ben, before and after the event.

Our Summer

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First I thought I chose no music so turn your speakers down if you don't like this music. I can't go back now. This has been some summer, I can tell you. These pictures include the move, 4th of July, the county fair, Seattle, Bainbridge Island, meeting the girls friends, hiking, refinishing the boat to sell, our backyard and whatever else I could get in. We are finally waking up and not wondering where we are. We can find our way to both the girl's homes. Clark calls us Grandma and Grandpa on sight. I know where 3 fabric stores are, am signed up to work at Vacation Bible School at church in a week and have been to see Mary Poppins in Portland. Paul has done his overnight hike, we are invited to dinner Saturday with new friends and have already delivered several items to Goodwill up here. We have picked blueberries twice, know the name of some neighbors and figured out which mailbox is ours in the group of boxes. By tomorrow we should have a dentist. It's been quite a lot to change your whole life. When you get old (and you know who you are), forget crossword puzzles and try moving to keep your brain active! It's quite the exercise. Oh, and speaking of that I walked with Amelia and the Westside Walkers the other day and will go again on Tuesday. The support of our kids has been wonderful and we are enjoying their families so much.

The Newest Member of Our Family

I know what you're thinking...sheesh, we haven't heard from them in about a year. What can I say? Our kids are grown and gone and we're living a quiet life. Or, we were until about a month ago when we welcomed Ane (pronounced Ah-nay) into our family. Ane just turned 16 in May.
She and 21 other students arrived in Portland at the end of June. They are from the Basque region of Spain.





This is Ane with her good friend, Amaia (Ah-my-ya). Amaia's mom is one of Ane's school teachers.














We took Ane to the local Harley shop because her dad has a motorcycle.















One evening we provided Ane with two FIRSTS: a picnic and a hike (little walk) at Silver Falls State Park.



















Another host mom and I took our daughters on MAX to the Saturday Market. Saioa (Sigh-oh-ah) wanted to buy a "hippy shirt". Yeah, they still make and sell those here.
















Ane has cooked for us a couple of times. Here she is making Tortillas Potatas. It's a potato omelette. Hillary helped :)

The students were with their host families for 2 wks. and then were privileged to attend one week of Young Life camp in Antelope, OR. They zip-lined into a lake, did a ropes course, sunbathed, etc. and so forth, and also had club each day and evening. I wish I had pictures of the 80's theme night and formal night. Everyone had a great time. Ane said it was like being at a resort.

This week is relatively unscheduled so the students can be with their families and rest after camp. We know it will be hard to say farewell to them next Wed., the 27th. It's been a great experience for all involved.

Summer in Hawaii

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An Australian Adventure

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