Ride, Aunt Kathy, Ride...

Monday, August 29, 2005: (This one is cheating, because I wasn't actually, physically THERE, but Kathy sent the photo to me, so I figure it's fair game. ) (Besides, sh'ell be shocked to hear she's on the Internet!) Jeff's sister, Kathy, has recently taken up the sport of calf roping (or something like that) but she's been riding all her life. Crazy woman (and amazingly brave)!

Totem Tales...

Saturday, August 27, 2005: Ah, a visit to the Burke Museum for a glimpse of Northwest history. What fun for a coupla kids. Highlights: a great bug display, a fossilized dinosaur egg clutch, great rocks, setting off the display alarms more than a few times, and waiting for mom while she looked at the (incredible) photo exhibit of the Alaskan wilderness (and if you're nine, leaving). (I thought it was pretty neat!)

How Low Can You Go...

Friday, August 26, 2005: Some of these kids could limbo under the stick at knee-height! Amazing! Had a wild and crazy "Aloha" party with all of our pals, who we're going to miss like crazy in Hawaii. Love you all!

Kings of the Hill...

Thursday, August 25, 2005: Jeff and Joe take a break from spreading gravel in the driveway to show off their six-packs, er, I mean super-short hair cuts. Looking good, guys!

Fakie...

Wednseday, August 24, 2005: Joe shows his moves at SK8 Camp. He drops in, does a rock fakie, then a transfer, a 180 fakie, then a manual (wheelie). Dude!

Construction Crew...

Tuesday, August 23, 2005: Brian and Jeff replaced the deck steps...well that's how it started, but the old "factor of four" (when it comes to home improvement, everything takes four times longer than you think it will) kicked in and once they took off the old steps, they had to relevel the whole deck, then realign the gutter and downspout, then clean off the roof, paint the planters, trim some tree limbs, move the rocks, get a load of gravel delivered, spread it, fix the lawnmower and set up a motocross course for Joe. Whew! Replacing steps is a lot of work!

Splish, Splash...

Sunday, August 21, 2005: Joe and Allan make the most of another beautiful Northwest summer day. They had the pool to themselves--Allan took the first plunge in this photo and made a perfect cannonball splash. (I don't want summer to ever end!)

Old Pals...

Saturday, August 20, 2005: Enjoyed an evening with our old pals, JP and Deb Roslan, pictured here with their boys, Connor, 13, and Alex, 15, in front of their beautiful townhouse in Lakeland (Auburn, WA). Really great to see them--and surprise them with our upcoming move! Deb made a South Beach FEAST: cheeses and whole grain bread, spinach salad, skewered shrimp, tandoori chicken and cucumber salad--thank you for such a wonderful, delicious meal! Love you guys--and see you again next year (or sooner this time, we hope)!

Street Ball Blues...

Saturday, August 13, 2005: Well, to me, Team JAB (Joe, Allan, Ben) is a winner, but according to the scorekeeper, they didn't beat this team of giants. (What a rip-off!) You had some really great moves and gave it a good try, guys--way to go!

Working Girls...

Friday, August 19, 2005: From left, that's Natalia (a most charming young lady), Deyette, Laurie, Sandy and Kathie (no last names to protect the not-so-innocent). We all work (or have worked) (well, except Natalia...yet) together (through Laurie) but rarely see each other, except when we have these amazing lunches at McCormick & Schmick's on Lake Union. It's always so great to see you all in person! I'll only be an email away, but I'll say it anyway: "Aloha, girls!"

The Big Kahunas...

Friday, August 19, 2005: Today is "Aloha Day" at Boys & Girls Club daycamp (how perfect is that?) (must be another sign that we should move to Maui). My three musketeers strike a pose, "Hang loose, fashion police" (You know who you are!)

This just in: Joe won the camp award for Best-Hawaiian-Dressed (that sort of clinches it, doesn't it?)! And Chedda is coming to visit! Cowabunga, dude!

Lifers...

Thursday, August 18, 2005: You know how some people come into your life and you just don't realize how much they mean to you until one day you look back and are simply amazed that you're friends in the first place, and such GOOD friends in the second place...and then you realize that God arranged it all, just for you? Yep. That's Jan and Harris (and one day WE will take YOU sailing in the ocean blue). Love you guys!

And the 'Bravest Award' Goes to...

Wednesday, August 17, 2005: That would be little ol' Miss Natali Gene, the super chick who didn't wanna go kayaking but did anyway and had so much fun she said (and I quote), "I don't ever want to get out!" Had a great day with the Banducci clan (Chris--the other warrior woman in the kayak--is my cousin) at mom's on Hood Canal. That includes Jordan (12), Alex (10) and dad, ol' Geno Beano (142). Let's do a repeat in '06! (PS to Chris--I don't see you often, but I'm going to miss you and our crafty weekends this year. Come visit in Maui!)

Strike Nine...

Thursday, August 11, 2005: Allan, Michael, Joe, Cameron, Payton and Jordan (and their moms and dads) wish Max a very happy ninth birthday!

Old Pals...

Tuesday, August 9, 2005: A quick snap in the parking lot after lunch with my Montanan friend Arin. (I miss you!) (Please visit in Maui!)

Oh, Grow Up...

Friday, August 5, 2005: At Jordan's birthday party, all the kids acted their age, not their shoe size. (Or was it their shoe size, not their age?) Well, anyway, it was a lot of fun! Happy birthday!

Boys on a Dock...

Sunday, August 6, 2005: Max, Isaac, Adam and Joe take a moment to pose for dear old Aunt Sally. (Thanks, guys!) Just another day of fun in the sun up at Gramma & Grampa's Lake House...

Sandy Fun...

Friday, July 29, 2005: Joe gets buried by a bunch of little kids: Mattie, Mitchell and Kinsey. What torture!

The Thorsen Clan...

Sunday, July 31, 2005: Here's the beach crowd in the street at Gearhart. Pretty sharp looking group, eh?

Sounder Fans...

Friday, August 5, 2005: Allan and Joe ham it up with a Sounder named Jake. Last day of soccer camp--Allan was named Best World Champion and Joe, Boy MVP. Way to go, guys!

Riders in the Sky...

Thursday, July 28, 2005: Jeff and the boys riding trikes. Work those glutes! Chase those seagulls! Dodge that white stuff falling from the sky! (Ew!)

Dinner at Mo's...

Wednesday, July 27, 2005: Everyone's all smiles after dinner at Mo's. That's Grammie Beth (aka The Stick in the Mud), Allan, Joe and Grandpa Dick (aka The Bank). We love you guys!

Giggle Monsters...

Wednesday, July 27, 2005: These two are having so much fun they can't stop laughing. Ah, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! (What was so funny?)