Dad's visit

We had a great time with Dad this last weekend.

We actually had so much fun that we hardly took any pictures! I am really sorry, Mom!

We went to church on Sunday and afterward Henry made us his famous grilled Turkey and Apple sandwiches fro lunch. Yummy! If you ever come to visit I'll have him make some for you.

On Sunday afternoon the boys taught Dad how to play Mario Kart. It was pretty awesome and they played for quite some time. They also introduced him to Phineas and Ferb, which I think we all found to be pretty funny.

Monday we attempted to experience some of Portland's culture and we checked out the Japanese Garden. It was very lovely and I think we managed to get all 4 kids through without disrupting the other visitors too much:)

We had to have some Burgerville. Thanks Dad- it was delish!

And we also checked out the Lake while the kids took their lessons. Dad hadn't been there before and it was fun to be able to show him where we spend a lot of our afternoons in the summer.

I did take Agnes and Sully out to Seaside to see the finish of the Hood-to-Coast relay, but between the crazy traffic and Agnes' emergency bathroom break once we finally got there we missed the big finish! Luckily, Nebeker was there to cheer him on. We spent Saturday afternoon enjoying the beach on a rare day where there was little wind and a clear sky. It was beautiful! We headed out to Nebeker's for dinner and had a great dinner with Nebeker's and Heder's. Of course, we had such a fine time that a camera never once made an appearance, but it did happen! And we managed to make it back home despite a little traffic and a very sleepy and sore Dad.

We can't wait until next year!

What's going on!!

There's not a lot to report - school started, Dad ran the Hood to Coast once again, I managed alone for several days, Dad got home - life goes on!!

We are looking forward to some detailed reports on the Hurricane Adventure, the Iceland Adventure, the London Adventure - anything else I need to hear about??

So I will tell you that school started once more - it always does. It's a bit chaotic at Clifton. We have a new principal - Tammy's little sister Jenny in fact!! But she doesn't start until September 12th. Meanwhile, our SPED rolls grew by leaps and bounds that no one had anticipated - and I ended up with class sizes of 18 and 24!! (RSP classes are usually maxed out at 15, mostly they are 8 to 10)

I could have been persuaded to take an early retirement on Monday.

Things looked better on Tuesday.

This too will pass!

Hood To Coast Movie

As many of you know, Harry has run the Hood to Coast Relay for the past 4 years. It's a 197 mile race going from Mount Hood to Seaside on the Oregon coast. Teams of 12 run the legs of the race. The race lasts over 24 hours for some teams. It started 27 years ago - and there are currently two men still running it who have run everyone of the races.

The documentary was pretty good - the film was shown tonight in 360 theaters throughout the U.S. I'm not sure of its availability after tonight. But it's worth getting it somehow and watching it. Even if you're not a runner.

They follow four teams - each with a unique spirit and history. One is dedicated to a son who died of a sudden heart attack at age 30. One is "The Dead Jocks in a Box" who are serious runners - but they are pretty hilarious. Another team features a woman who had a heart attack while running it one year - and her doctor said no more racing - so she proved him wrong! The last team is very hilarious - a group of claymation artists who form a team on a lark and don't train at all.

Maybe Dad and I have a vested interest in the race, but I think the film has general appeal.

Give it a look-see - tell me what you think!

"The Last Round-up" of Summer 2007!

This has been the "best of times" and the "worst of times" this summer. It has been great to be with family, to welcome a new little spirit, to spend quality time with grandchildren, to celebrate Hannah's achievements, to see several old and dear friends.

But 8 plane trips and 2 road trips have done me in! And Mom's accident cast a pall over things. And of course, losing Jim has caused us all to slow down and reflect on the mortal nature of our lives.

Phoebe graciously planned the blessing of little Agnes to coincide with the Hood to Coast Relay that Harry was invited to run in. The leader of the team is an old missionary buddy - and we were at the U at the same time. Thanks to the ever-vigilant Phoebe for connecting up with the Burkes - who are in her stake! (Phoebe can connect us with just about anyone she meets!!)

This is not quite the "last" round-up - I'm tired and want to go to bed - so this installment is race day to end of trip - the days before race day will come tomorrow!

Here's the relay team - at the end. Can you tell who ran the last leg?

The team waits for the last runner and then they all go through the chute together.

The race is 197 miles long - Harry ran 3 of the laps. There were 12 on the team and they traveled in two vans. They slept in meadows and breakfasted at fund-raisers along the way. One of Harry's laps was at 1:30 a.m.

Harry, Ry, and Israel enjoying some sustenance at the Bunz Cafe.

Hannah on her bike - we biked over because traffic was horrible - there are 1,000 teams in this relay - and they each have at least 2 vans to transport the runners!

And I biked too - a photo to prove it to all those doubting Thomas's out there who don't think I can still ride a bike!

Here we are next day at the park after church and the blessing of little Agnes. Ry was ready to take her home!

We were happy to have Jinny, Bruce's mom, there too.

Daddy-Daughter shot!

Team Bolander was there for the fun and festivities - they always add a spark to any gathering!

When we got home, Agnes crashed!

Matt, Eliza and Theo had been at a Selander reunion on the Oregon coast, so it was fun to be with them again. Theo was a popular guest - here with Ella.

Hannah's friend Ashlin - from MHS days - was in Oregon visiting her parents, so she joined us too.

Of course, Pam and Denny came from Idaho Falls - and Pam came from Northern Cal where she'd been helping Tiffany, who just had a new little boy.

I took Sue C.'s admonition to heart - and let myself be photographed in an apron!

8 of the 11 grandkids were there - getting them all posed together was hard. Thanks to Sarah for holding Agnes.

Team Selander enjoys lunch.

Phoebe and David's friends from Canby - they know each other from Davis.

David's sister Tammy and her family came for the occasion - they fit right in with all the Terrill cousins!

Bruce dubbed this the "Bay City Rollers" look - whatever it was, it was pretty funny - but then Calvin's a pretty funny guy! I miss him already.

Kelly Shaw, a wonderful Monrovia friend, was in town checking out grad schools - what a fortuitous coincidence!

Miss Agnes Mae in the blessing dress that Phoebe wore as a baby - crocheted by my Grandma Stevens.

Kelly loving the bambino.

Bonny's not afraid to be photographed in an apron either!

Phoebe's feeling grateful she asked for a baby doll from Grandma Clayton right away - Grandma won't be making those any time soon! Looks like Agnes likes it!

Phoebe coveted this bonnet when she saw it in a knitting magazine - I don't knit though - so imagine her delight when Sister C. made one for her! It's big now, but will be perfect when the chilly fall days arrive - Phoebe already has fashion plans to go with it! (I bought the magazine and showed the pattern to Sue - I may not knit, but I can dream!)

Favorite Aunt Hannah was loving being with some of her favorite people.

Esme and Henry in their matching khakis!

Kirk and Sheri MacDowell gave us four star accommodations in their lovely guest room - and a Norwegian breakfast too. We were happy they could join us at the blessing. They used to live in Monrovia - and now are down the street from Pheobe! Small world!!

Our last day, Harry and Hannah drove to Astoria to visit Ry's studio.

"Self Portrait While Crossing the Bridge"

The walk is as long as a football field!

Dad and Ry - friends for many, many years! I'll do another post of shots of them, their kids and their great house on the Oregon coast.

Calvin refers to these as his "spiky ball shorts" and you can get him to do just about anything if you promise you will wash them so he can wear them the next day too!

It's been wonderful to spend time with Henry and Calvin - and all the grandkids - we look forward to the holidays!!