Chapter 264

It's only late September. I've barely recovered from school starting and I was rudely assaulted by a Christmas tree display at our local big box store. It's hard to believe it's time for Christmas traffic, long lines, assaulted by advertising, and all the resulting ruckus that accompanies the Holiday Season.

Grampa came over for his annual birthday dinner. In his wake, he left us two old, huge African violets that belonged to Grama. She got them in 1989 after her first heart surgery. These plants are 25 years old and I read African violets can live over 50 years, however not in this household. They've been living with Grampa for the past few years so they don't seem to require much but their lives are still in danger here. I need to adopt them out...and fast. Any potential adoptees out there?

Our niece Payton is in her princess phase so she (and her mom and dad) went to Disneyland to immerse themselves in princess-ness. After being done up at the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique. a princess factory at Disneyland, (I didn't even know there was such an awesome place!) Payton worked her way though the Disney princesses while outfitted in her Belle gown and tiny tiara. 

Everyone had a wonderful time and Payton was happily passed out in a princess coma on the way home. Let's hope Carter doesn't want to go volcano exploring or something equally forbidding for his special vacation when it's his turn.

Meanwhile back at school,,. I feel like I'm actually in the construction site. There are noisy, beeping things outside our door as well as construction workers yelling back and forth to each other. Every afternoon at lunch, I open the door and watch all the wild construction workers in their natural habitat. I'm not so sure they like me doing that, but it makes me happy and, really, that's all that counts.

While I'm looking at construction workers at work, my ex-construction worker has found himself a nice indoor job. He's graduated from teaching just Orion clients to teaching industry classes for other companies. This picture appeared in their monthly newsletter. He looks so official standing up in front of his class!

Instructor Bob Book (standing) leading a blueprint reading class with students from Cascade Gasket and Manufacturing Company, Inc.

This weekend was Reagan's inaugural trip to the cabin. It was a beautiful day for a stroll on the beach while Reagan slept through it all. Walking on the beach is an especially great activity if someone is carrying you in a nice warm cocoon.  Actually it was so warm we were on the beach in short sleeves. This is not a feat easily accomplished on a Washington beach at any time of year, let alone October!

Bear fetched his stick in the surf over and over until he was soaked through and tired. Like all of us, Bear gets tired faster than he did 7 years ago when he first started taking his beloved trips to Long Beach. 

While we were on the beach, we found a live crab. Bear reeally wanted to get it and he knew that the claws were bad news so he kept circling it looking for a safe crab grab. Picturing an after-hours vet bill, Carissa finally couldn't stand it any longer and called him off. There's video below if you want to see how a German shepherd attacks a poor defenseless crab and how a poor defenseless crabs attacks a German shepherd.

If the above video doesn't work properly, go to http://youtu.be/T9meg3PByQs to watch it on YouTube.

 Tired wet happy doggie.

It was beautiful weather for kite flying. Although these kites don't look very big, they are probably over 12 feet tall. I love the round ground kite.

Bear gets a drink from the drinking fountain, Bear was a thirsty, thirsty doggy. I remember the days before Chris was family battle-hardened when he didn't like me doing this with Bear. Welcome to reality, Chris.

Our second walk to the beach, we took Reagan in the stroller. It truly does take a village to strap a baby into her stroller.

The guys and Bear push Reagan down the boardwalk. I can't believe it's October and over 70 degrees! 

Once back at the cabin, Reagan had clean diapers and lunch and was very talkative. She had a lot to say.

Here's the video if you want to hear Reagan learning to use her voice.

 If you cannot see the video above or want a larger screen, click this link to view it on YouTube. http://youtu.be/NcsB2iir9JA

Reagan and Grampa sit in the cabin and watch her daddy and Bear walk across the street to get morning coffee for Mommy. 

After watching Bear try to make a crab grab, Reagan has her own face-off with a crab. She looks a lot like her Auntie Kyanne here.

Carissa and Reagan growl at Bear during picture time.  

This picture is a little more traditional with smiles from both Carissa and Reagan. 

Chris and Reagan hold hands during Reagan's first time laying out in grass without a blanket. Let's hope she's not allergic to grass! I love this photo.

Reagan's had a busy day walking, beaching, and general vacationing. She didn't even wake up with Carissa took her and the carrier off. 

Reagan had her first cold this week. Poor little snorty little thing. No place better than snuggling into her mommy's marsupial pouch to sleep it off. After spending the weekend with her, it appears Reagan loves her Grampa enough to share her cold with him.

The Three Amigos...or is it the Three Stooges? Gatsby rarely makes an appearance at Reagan's side, but Bear is never very far away.

Reagan went to the Poulsbo Marine Science Center where she saw her very first octopus. She's studying it carefully so she can act like she has 8 arms when she is a toddler.

 

Reagan watching pumpkin molasses cookies being brought into the world. Someday those cookies  will be all yours after you've made a total mess out of Mom's kitchen

Have a good week, Everyone!