Tag: photographs

“Success is not a doorway. It’s a staircase.” – Dottie Walters

We were moving things around in our house and had to temporarily remove a couple of doors. Which gave me a great opportunity to talk about the origin of the phrase “coming unhinged.” And to show how to put things back on their hinges.

Taking turns

Interesting things seen in the neighborhood

Making friends at home; and at one of our favorite winter rainy day places — the viewing room at the dump.

Getting ready for Christmas and our Thanksgiving Day outfits. I just want to say — Mr. D did his ALL by himself. Including tying the pair of gold Converse shoes.

We woke up one morning and discovered a car parked directly across our driveway. The kids were so excited to investigate – which really was going around and talking with all our favorite neighbors. When someone suggested that it might be stolen and noticed that the driver side door was jimmied, we tested the door and it was unlocked.

Miss O and Mr D wrote down all the clues and we reported it — and then about 15 minutes later, we looked out and the car was gone! Impaired driver? Stolen car? Still not sure…but boy did they have fun with the mystery! And talking to all the neighbors who were amused by the enthusiasm.

The heart of the week (a potato chip) and the sign of the week. It may be the last day of the month, but I think this “No” vember sign could still apply to all our holiday interactions and beyond.

“Ah, how good it feels! The hand of an old friend.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The quote of the week is in honor of my dear, and longest time (I put it that way because she’s definitely not old) friend, Katie, whose birthday is today.

And the featured photo is a photo my kids wanted to take from our car on the way to school. The sky was stunning – and the collective awe equally amazing!

We spent a lot of time this week Halloweening in various activities. And also, trying to wash the red out. Miss O was dressed as Julia from the moving Luca hence the “Italian” hands.

Kids weren’t the only thing dressed up — the neighborhood got dressed up as well.

Cooper wanted to get into the Halloween spirit as well but mostly laid around.

The first is Mr. D’s hand on Cooper – I thought it went well with the quote for this post. The second picture is a small dog that wanted Mr. D’s attention at Doggy Daycare.

Making impressions.

Our neighbor’s skeleton family has grown. And the whole theme fits well with the sign of the week.

“Compliment people wherever you go. Praise every single thing you see. Be a ray of sunshine to everyone you meet.” – Rhonda Byrne

The annual pumpkin farm trek. Funny thing about going to this place once a year – all of a sudden it’s so noticeable how much we’ve grown.

The pumpkin farm had some very cute animals. No, I don’t believe the highland cow intended to stick her tongue out at us.

Some adorable chicks to hold.

An inflatable pillow to jump on.

Mr. D wanted a drum set so we improvised…and then thankfully put everything back away.

The second picture is near and dear to my heart. Every once in a while, there’s a special quality of light that always makes me feel as if my dearly departed are near. In this case, Mr. D was helping me seal the tiles that my dad helped me install in my driveway. I turned to look and there was a bright spot of light illuminating Mr. D’s face. It felt like a kiss on the head from my dad.

Far-fetched? Maybe. Provable. Not at all. Worth believing? My heart says so.

The heart (on my salad) and the sign of the week.

“Spend unbroken chunks of time with the most important people in your life.” – Brian Tracy

Have you been following Elizabeth Wickhams’s (from the bleuwater blog) debate between phone and camera? All of these pics were taken from my camera when we were on Whidbey Island last weekend.

And these were taken with my phone. More impromptu and less zoom, for sure.

Cooper has heard that it’s important to keep trying to make friends, even when it seems they are ignoring you. Oh, and to be polite.

These were from Mr. D’s first fieldtrip. The Kindergartners got to go to a pumpkin farm — but the highlight was that he got to ride on a school bus!

We don’t see Mt. Rainier often from on Whidbey Island since it’s a little further north and west from where we are at home. So I was delighted when it popped out over the bay. I think Dunn Lumber might be making a good point in the sign of the week.

“There must be more to life than having everything.” – Maurice Sendak

Practice, practice, practice!

This weekend, we’re back at the beach on Whidbey Island visiting our favorite heron. Its print in the sand is as big as my foot.

Whidbey Island wildlife

As much as I love this beach in the summer, I think I might like it even more in October. The driftwood is awesome, it feels quieter (not that its ever very loud or busy), and the sun is milder so we aren’t having to run for the shade or the pool.

If Cooper could read, he’d put the knife down. Maybe the sign of the week only applies to humans because he still attracts a pretty nice tribe. 🙂

(featured photo is mine of the Seattle Space Needle)

“Once you have tasted the taste of sky, you will forever look up.” – Leonardo da Vinci

September in Seattle is so typically delightful. So we were outside a lot this week like for this Saturday morning bike ride.

My brother learned to sail at 6-years-old in the Philippines and has never stopped loving being out on the water. Miss O and Mr. D were delighted to get their hands on the tiller.

More fun in the water.

Cooper cannot believe these two bunnies don’t want to hang out with him. Fortunately, Miss O is a much more willing friend!

The cat has more of an arm’s length idea of snuggling.

Skateboard park

Reaching for the sky. Because as the sign of the week implies, there’s no time to waste!

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” – Michael Althsuler

We went to California for my niece’s baby shower. Here are the intrepid travelers.

Farm animals in the Central Valley, CA

Mountains from the plane. Left one is Mt. Rainier (14,411 ft), middle is Mt. St. Helens (8.300 ft.) and the third is Mt. Hood (11,249 ft).

I know I’m repeating myself – but Mt. Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the lower 48 United States with 25 glaciers.

I had to look up whether Mt. St. Helens had glaciers before it’s eruption in 1980. It did – it had 11 named glaciers. Now there is just one in the crater of the volcano called Crater Glacier. Good naming, huh?

And Mt. Hood has 12 named glaciers.

Cooper kept a close eye on us when we came home.

First day of Kindergarten for Mr. D.

And here we are – flying into fall.

I love Alaska Airlines for their generous welcome of kids!

(featured photo is of a sunset over the Central Valley, CA)