Friday, July 27, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Nearly Ready To Move
Yesterday we finished packing the moving pods. We also finished all
the minor repairs we agreed to do as part of the negotiations to sell
the house. (We had one moment of panic when we realized the new sump
pump we installed last week was no longer working. But that was
resolved nicely when we figured out that someone had shut down the
power to the basement and left it off.)
the minor repairs we agreed to do as part of the negotiations to sell
the house. (We had one moment of panic when we realized the new sump
pump we installed last week was no longer working. But that was
resolved nicely when we figured out that someone had shut down the
power to the basement and left it off.)
We are still on target to leave Seattle on July 31st, which is exactly
1 week from today. We would be sad and excited for the move, except
that we are too busy preparing for the move to think about the move.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Holden Update
For the curious. Holden is now sitting up with a little support. He
is grabbing everything that comes within his reach - and grabbing it
with glee. All that grabbing has given him the idea that maybe he
doesn't need to wait until someone brings something to him. Maybe he
ought to just go get it himself. So he's diving for things and
figuring out what legs and arms can do when they work togther in
unison towards a singular pupose. He is getting close to figuring out
how to crawl - we don't have much time left before this baby goes
mobile on us. And we've started feeding him mashed bananas and apples,
and he's figuring out how to move food from a spoon to the back of his
throat.
is grabbing everything that comes within his reach - and grabbing it
with glee. All that grabbing has given him the idea that maybe he
doesn't need to wait until someone brings something to him. Maybe he
ought to just go get it himself. So he's diving for things and
figuring out what legs and arms can do when they work togther in
unison towards a singular pupose. He is getting close to figuring out
how to crawl - we don't have much time left before this baby goes
mobile on us. And we've started feeding him mashed bananas and apples,
and he's figuring out how to move food from a spoon to the back of his
throat.
PEPS in the Park
We'll be sad to be taking a leave of absence from our PEPS group. (PEPS = Program for Early Parental Support) We've been meeting every 2 weeks for 5 -1/2 years now. We are the first family to leave. The children have grown up together since they were infants. Here's one of our recent gatherings in the park.
Nelson and Grace on the "swing-thing" (I'm not sure what it's called. This is the shot of the end, where the swing stops abruptly and we are catapulted into the air.)
Kids awaiting their turn as Grace pulls the swing back to its starting position.
Training for the next Matrix sequel:
The organized chaos of eating pizza in the park with a nearly a dozen children ages 5 and under. The parents are outnumbered and outgunned.
Nelson and Grace on the "swing-thing" (I'm not sure what it's called. This is the shot of the end, where the swing stops abruptly and we are catapulted into the air.)
Kids awaiting their turn as Grace pulls the swing back to its starting position.
Training for the next Matrix sequel:
The organized chaos of eating pizza in the park with a nearly a dozen children ages 5 and under. The parents are outnumbered and outgunned.
4th of July
We spend 4th of July with our friends Mark & Amy out in their new home in Kingston, Washington. Holden was feeling patriotic that day.
We picked cherries for dinner from the ripe fruit tree in their yard.
Grace and Peri played until they were exhausted.
We watched the Kingston 4th of July parade.
The absolute highlight of the day was the pony ride.
We went home in the evening - oddly, the ferry was practically empty.
We picked cherries for dinner from the ripe fruit tree in their yard.
Grace and Peri played until they were exhausted.
We watched the Kingston 4th of July parade.
The absolute highlight of the day was the pony ride.
We went home in the evening - oddly, the ferry was practically empty.
The Moving Pods
Today the moving pods arrived - 4 of them set down in our backyard. We spent this afternoon, along with Nelson's brother Eric and our friend Valerie (who bravely served as baby holder despite that fact that the new Harry Potter was released today), packing the pods. Seattle is sending us out in style by raining in July. It makes packing adventuresome. They will be picked up on Tuesday and shipped to St. Paul, where we get to unpack them. Next week at this time we won't own a house anymore. At least, we hope that's the case.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Matt & Robin's Wedding
We went to see Nelson's friend Matt get married to Robin in Hood River, Oregon two weeks ago. (Nelson has known Matt, he is shocked to reflect, a quarter of a century.)
Hood River is located in the Columbia River Gorge. It's a spectacular gorge. Nelson has driven up and down the gorge countless times, growing up in Oregon. It was the rest of the family's first trip.
Waterfalls line the gorge. If you get off the main interstate and take the old historic Highway, you can stop to see them.
Here's Grace learning how to play horseshoes at the rehearsal picnic. Grace made her presence known throughout the picnic. "Nelson, your daughter seems to be enjoying herself," I was told many times. She waited until the groom's father speech to shout my name at the top of her lungs because she wanted more watermelon. There is Tony in a touching moment, complimenting his son and daughter-in-law, competing with Grace's voice, shouting, "Daddy?... Daddy?... I want more watermelon."
Matt and Robin were married at Mt. Hood Bed & Breakfast, located, not surprisingly, in the shadow of Mt. Hood.
Hood River is located in the Columbia River Gorge. It's a spectacular gorge. Nelson has driven up and down the gorge countless times, growing up in Oregon. It was the rest of the family's first trip.
Waterfalls line the gorge. If you get off the main interstate and take the old historic Highway, you can stop to see them.
Here's Grace learning how to play horseshoes at the rehearsal picnic. Grace made her presence known throughout the picnic. "Nelson, your daughter seems to be enjoying herself," I was told many times. She waited until the groom's father speech to shout my name at the top of her lungs because she wanted more watermelon. There is Tony in a touching moment, complimenting his son and daughter-in-law, competing with Grace's voice, shouting, "Daddy?... Daddy?... I want more watermelon."
Matt and Robin were married at Mt. Hood Bed & Breakfast, located, not surprisingly, in the shadow of Mt. Hood.
Mutual Agreement
After dickering through the inspection and negotiations thereof,
accompanied by no small quantity of anxiety, we have mutual agreement
on the sale of the house, as of this morning. We have some work to do
now with a series of minor improvements/ fixes.
accompanied by no small quantity of anxiety, we have mutual agreement
on the sale of the house, as of this morning. We have some work to do
now with a series of minor improvements/ fixes.