Farewell, Tumbleweeds! And thanks.

Miki's last day of pre-school.  Been driving to Tumbleweeds for the last six years, myself...

Summer is ON

The family

The other day Shaena Mallett, a real photographer, passed through town with her sister, and took this photo.

A Hike, A Day

Went out toward Mt. Hood. Met this old sage, or he caught up to us after his novel writing class. A real Ham.

Unstoppable (though a wolf almost claimed Miki).

Crazy wildflower meadows.

A very complicated game in which no grown-ups were allowed.

In this "panorama" shot, Maggie quickly leapt and chased Miki across the frame, turning into a sinister black ghost smudge.

It's hard to photograph Hood, as it tends to blend into the sky via camera.  But there it is.  Grand.

You would not be able to plumb the depths of this conversation.

Arthur made me take about forty of these to reenact a shot from many years ago ("Okay, bro, wait, how does my butt look?  Okay?  Elsie! No!  Now, Theo, you point.)  Beautiful and completely fake.

He was punished by God!  HIs leg, it turned into a

tree!

(Don't worry, his hands are still small, soft, child-like.)

Down in the town of Hood River, the Vining sisters caused quite a stir!

Talking Hot Joanie, talking Birkenstock Onassis glasses, yes.

Huge proponents of the new HR waterfront area, especially because there's that brew pub right there!

Something's up with Theo.

Some of the beer is very strong.

Five! (+ Mother's Day!)

There's a lot to catch up on.  But let's just limit this post to today, when Miki finally turned 5 and Ella continued to be a serious mother.

Been really into getting serious braids, then taking them out after a few days.

We had to kill some time, waiting for the Bradfords to show up.

What a beautiful mother, indeed.

Finally we just set off without them.

Too marshy, in there.

Another mother:

The Bradfords finally showed up.

Returned through the mature oaks.

A sweet day.

SEVEN!

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

7!

City of Salt!

So, yeah, a few weeks back we got all packed up

And headed toward Salt Lake City.  Grambee!!!

...was quickly manipulated into going to the toy store for "early birthday presents."

Later we went on a short hike where Miki didn't want anyone to see her pee outside and shrieked so loudly that all hikers within two miles came to see what she was doing, and then Ida scaled this mountain.  You can see how sunny it is there, and how blue the sky.  The people there are tormented by the sun!  Like ants under a microscope.

Yes!  The next morning we caught up with some serious Rock cousins!  Dining at the country club upon those delicious Utah scones!  That's Bonnie and Margo, in case you didn't know.

and Phoebe (probably texting, here) and Matthew.  That's my bearded father, back there.

Who begat all these excellent cousins?  My fierce brother, Jim, for one!  (And Grace, who was selling several houses and so not adequately documented, though we saw her and she looked very hot indeed.)  There he is:

They are a very musically talented family.  It's humbling to us.

How did all this affect Ella?  It turned her into a hardcore gamer.  Here she's getting SCHOOLED by Matthew.  

She played for about three hours straight.

Meanwhile, plenty of adventures outside!  Driving this electric Cadillac around the yard, for instance...

Not to mention some ferocious four-square on the sport court.  Ella emerged into the sun to plan, and even injured herself while trying to trick me.

Thanks everyone!  We wish we saw you more often!