Busch Gardens

The kids were excited to see Clydesdales after riding ponies last weekend. This was Lenny, he was "talking" with Oscar prior to his photo op.
Oscar's first teacup ride, he did great! We rode on an outside cup that didn't spin too much.
Eleanor loves going fast on the teacups!

The Boys: ready to go on the Elephant ride.

The Girls: all smiles

Oscar enjoyed the carosel. Eleanor has grown so much since we were here in the spring that she was able to sit unassisted on the horse of her choice. Oscar must ride on a center row horse with an adult, naturally he fussed b/c he chose a horse on the outside row.

Cooling off.

It was a beautiful day, in the low 80's. The park wasn't too crowded so we were able to ride each ride two to three times with very little to no wait. Just the way we like it!

Eleanor's first time on Ripple Rapids, she loved it! Oscar was mad that he was too small to ride.

"We're going to catch a salmon!" Eleanor exclaimed.

Needless to say, Oscar had to be drug kicking and screaming off the boat ride...good genes?

Hmm, is Oscar ever going to get off the boat?

The Ladybugs, Eleanor's all-time fav.

We also took in the Pet Shenanigans show (which we "played" at home on our rainy day this last week with her stuffed animals!) and Kristian & I took turns riding a roller coaster, Apollos Chariot, so we had some adult entertainment too. We also rode the train twice, Oscar is really into trains after their friend Drew's Thomas the Train Birthday party last weekend. He loves to say "Choo-choo!" and watched the conductor intently, even waving to him. It was a great afternoon and we left when it got crowded around 6pm. Such a change for us as we usually wind up staying till dark/closing and getting exhausted! There were tears though as we forgot to ride the big swings...we had to convince Eleanor that it just meant we'd have to return again soon!

Church Picnic

We got to ride ponies!!!

You can see the bounce house in the background, this was my second favorite thing we did at the church picnic. There was also tons of good food and lots of fellowship.

This is Casper. Daddy walked along side to get Oscar "acclimated" to the ponies.

Oscar riding Rocky, his first pony ride!!! Look at him holding on like a pro!

Mommy was very excited for him...

They are both Shetland ponies & were nice to ride.

Look at my barefeet children on horseback...who knew?

Oscar not wanting to get off and say bye. The kids were able to ride several turns over the course of the hour the ponies were there.

I can drive! I got to help while Daddy & Bill loaded up the grills into the truckbed.

Lovin' those buttons.

Daddy Time

Taking an early morning walk with Daddy & Jasmine in the beloved backpack. Oscar is so funny b/c both he & Daddy HAVE to wear their hats.
Building with blocks.
He was moving his toes in concentration which is hard to capture on film but worth trying to document!

Grandma Judi Update

Judi has completed her first week of radiation treatment in Seattle & is doing well. She is in good spirits and enjoying the companionship of her many friends that have taken the time to visit & stay with her. They have been busy shopping, sightseeing & relaxing together. Mom's actual radiation treatment takes about 20 mintues, which she has at 2:30pm Monday - Friday. She takes the bus from the condo daily (I am so proud of her for learning to navigate the schedule!) and is making good use of her "Senior Discount!" She is amazed by a Starbucks on every corner...I told her it IS Seattle afterall!

If you'd like to keep in touch with her during her stay south (until Halloween):

Judi
c/o: Klepser
965 W. Nickerson #14
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 283-0175

Dad is still planning to visit Mom near the end of her time south, he and Mark are currently moose hunting up north in Alaska until the end of the week. We have heard news of success for Mark, he took a large Bull last week. Now hopefully it's Dad's turn! Wonder if I'll get to have mooseburgers for my birthday again this year?

Dog Days of September?

Jasmine relaxing in the grass.
Oscar watering the strawberries...he's taking his job seriously!

Back to work on the tomatoes.

The first round died while we were in Alaska so this is round two, we have 3 green romas on the plant being watered so lovingly here. Eleanor is all about the basil plants now...she plucks & eats them raw off the plant!

First Day of School

Ready to go with my "Aladdin's lamp" (for Show & Share, in my backpack) and matching outfit Daddy brought back from Iraq with him. Yesterday for Open House I wore my Flamenco dress Papa Brian got me in Spain...Mom says everyone has high expectations of me representing yet another country come Monday morning.

I love my new teacher, Mrs. B, and have some old friends from last year and some new friends in my 4 year old, 4 morning preschool class of nine. "I like that you get a prize from the treasure chest if you are good after 4 days and you don't have a Bee in the sad basket. I will keep my Bee in the happy basket." Ellie's response to why she likes her new teacher. Ahh, bribery at it's finest!

Meanwhile, Oscar wanted to go to school too: here, Culinary School.
Hmmm, Vetrinary or Dental School?
Jasmine continues to do well, taking frequent breaks on our shortened walks. We bring water for her although she often declines. You can somewhat see that all her fur has grown back in save the incision site just below her nametag (brownish looking vertical line). She sleeps a lot during the day but enjoys our company and lots of love from the kids. Oscar is so cute when he "gives her love" he leans over and puts his head on her back and actually stands still for awhile! Eleanor asked today "why does Jasmine follow us everywhere?" I told her b/c we are her people and she loves us.
PS: I normally do not condone animals on furniture but it appears that in my absence this summer Daddy, working long hours, has allowed this trend to continue...how can one kick a three-legged dog off a comfortable perch? She never does it while we are home, but rather is caught there upon our return!

SplishSplash!

Oscar had fun chasing the girls away with the hose. How they screamed and he just laughed!
Jump!
Grandma Judi arrived in Seattle yesterday with her friend Carol and learned that rather than starting her radiation today they want to wait until next Monday. Something about "leaves" that will help protect her internal organs against burns from the radiation, not sure if they have to be surgically inserted...we should learn more Friday as she has an appointment, if not tomorrow.
Uncle Mark & Poppa Ronnie left today on the ferry to head north on their annual moose hunt, we wish them well and have perfected the moose call, thank you Uncle Mark!

Labor Day 2008

Our Elephant Ears are huge!

I helped Mommy plant them before we left for Alaska, they looked like cannonballs when we put them in the ground.

Oscar & I in our red, white & blue...aren't we cute?
(Yes, he has a purple sippie cup...he likes to steal drinks! I think he has caught on to the fact that we don't always have the same drink and is too young to care about boy vs girl colors)

First attempt at corn on the cob, he enjoyed it.

My friend Drew & I after swimming in his backyard pool.

It's toasty warm back here...it'll take some time to get used after being up north all summer.

Daddy!

I was so excited to finally see my Daddy after TWO months! He bought me this beautiful dress to wear.

Flight Home

Watching the Alaska Airlines planes in the Seattle airport. Oscar can say "Airplane" now & points to them when they fly overhead!
Staying busy during the long flight home.
Our first flight was 2 1/2 hours from Ketchikan to Seattle and then another 4 hours from Seattle to DC. We spent the night in DC and picked up a rental car the next day and drove to the Dulles Airport to pick up Daddy as he was flying in from overseas. Mommy had never driven in DC & was a little stressed, but she did really well, never making a wrong turn. She said her guardian angels were watching over her during our two days of travel to get safely home.

Dry Run

Oscar has been practicing while at Grandma's house this summer...I am sure we are a long ways off but one can always dream!