The Walk to d'Feet ALS

Just two things to say here, really.... (1) The Spokane volunteers for ALS are AMAZING! It was an honor to spend a day with them. (2) This is a really, really stupid disease. Let's cure it, already.

Oh...I thought of one more thing. (3) Bummer that my camera batteries died so early in the day, because I was having a blast face-painting, and the kids were ADORABLE, even after my so-so attempts at artistry! (Can I help it that they want crazy stuff like cheetahs, blue racecars and red convertibles? Couldn't anyone ask for a heart or a daisy?)

More Walk to d'Feet ALS

More Walk to d'Feet ALS

This is the life

While lounging here this afternoon, Ethan gave a contented little sigh and said, "I can't believe we have a dog AND a window seat!" The cushions were finished so fast I hadn't gotten around to painting the base yet. Next week, I promise.

Happy Canyon

We still haven't been to the rodeo at the Pendleton Roundup, but we've seen the Native American pageant. It's quite an elaborate production.

In case you haven't noticed...

...we disapprove of the dog.

Holding hands

Usually, when Cassie "sits" she also lifts a paw for us to hold. You can tell from Google's expression that he is not impressed by this show of friendliness. Sigh.

Doggy weekend

Visiting a garden overflowing with blackberry bushes and apple trees, how could I resist making berry cobbler and this pie? I finally got the crust to turn out right!


We got a lot of entertainment out of a 25-cent yardsale game of Mousetrap. Believe it or not, I've never played it.


These kids like each other a little bit.


And the reason for the weekend? Picking up Cassie! She's going to be more work than we thought.

Wild Life

I got so excited about the pie that I forgot to mention one of the boy's favorite parts of the weekend...the wildlife! He got to spend the weekend with two dogs and countless chipmunks.

This reminds me...five days and we'll be dog owners! We've ordered two dog training books, a tag with our address on it, and some flea medicine. Now all we need to do is fix the gate latch and buy a furminator.

And the best thing about Labor Day weekend...

I made pie. For real. Under less-than-ideal circumstances (we spent the weekend in a tiny cabin with no kitchen counter space). The crust needs work.

Climbing

First picture is of Cliff and Ethan at the point where I turned back from an uphill hike. Second picture is me at the summit of an even taller mountain...thanks to the tram car. I realize how pathetic this is and seriously intend to do better next year.

Kayak kid

Look at the happy face on this kid! I came home from the lake pretty gung-ho about kayak shopping! We're kind of outgrowing the inflatable boat. And then I priced the tandem and triple kayaks...yikes.

Rough drive

Stormy weather on the way to Wallowa Lake nearly blew us off the road. But once it passed, we were well rewarded.