10th of July Fireworks

One of the joys of Springdale for Kipp is having coffee with the local "boys" at Frank and Treva's store/diner, the Kountry Korner.  I decided to join him this morning to see what the "pulse" of Springdale felt like. Being the only girl in the place makes me feel at home and the conversation blows about between friendly put-downs and global solutions.  

We had a day on the farm.  Sam and Rylee ran the circuit between the pool and trampoline, Trevor created explosive devices, Hannah "hung out" with cousin Dana, I weeded, and so it goes.  Kipp was the chef for the party of 15 tonight.  The menu included halibut, salmon, and shrimp.  Kipp loves having full run of the kitchen with his Mom hovering like a sous-chef.  

Rylee, Sheep Creek, and forget-me-nots

Fireworks on the fourth are a tradition around here, but the gang graciously waited for the Norris family to finish their wandering before moving ahead with plans.  It was a little show, but it was fun.

Trevor sneaking up on firecrackers

Trip to the City

After a hearty farm breakfast, the family was off to Spokane.  Trevor's set up with glasses, everyone got gym shoes, and Kipp's got "kitchen-leg", a condition common among fathers shopping with wives and daughters.  We visited Kipp's great-aunt Jane in her home.  She seemed happy to have the company.  Whitworth University gave us a tour of their campus--much renewed from the days Kipp and I attended--and we learned a bit about what sort of questions to start asking about colleges in general.  Camp Whitworth looks a little more sophisticated than twenty years ago.  We spent the evening with Kevin's family watching the Mariners win (!).

Ann

Critters and Crooks

Grandpa's new colt

Waking up on the farm to the bleating of sheep and the tweeting of birds is a fun thing.  It's not even hot which is unusual for our summer visits.  First order of business was haircuts on the lawn for the family.  Trevor, Kipp, Rylee, Sam, and Grampa all lined up for shearings.  

Hannah and Kipp found puppies to look at, so we headed to Newport, WA, on an adventure.  "Bulldog or no dog" is Kipp's mantra.  The puppies were awfully cute, and the lady even came down in price enough to lure us toward a deal. We nearly bought one, but asked for a day to think it over. The seller reluctantly agreed and sped away from our meeting place. We were then informed by a bystander, and it was later confirmed by a sheriff, that the seller was convicted of multiple accounts of animal abuse and ran a puppy mill. She has been suspended by AKC, so the registration papers had to be fake. Kipp thinks we were looking at pit bull pups, and is thankful we didn't buy one.  The day's events made for a good story to tell at the daily gathering around the dinner table for conversation with Grandma, Grandpa, Kipp's sister Karen, and cousin Tori.

Back on the Farm

Kevin and Doris were kind enough to put us up for the night and we were able to catch up a bit before heading out to Springdale.  Grandma and Grandpa's place is a welcome sight for all.  The trampouline, the pool, the horses, sheep, llamas, hugs, cousins, and home cookin' all make for an oasis for weary travelers.  No sooner did we land than Hannah is on the hunt for a puppy, determined to take one home.  Temperatures are quite cool right now so we feel right at home.

Ann

Portland and Friends

Wendy's family and Melanie picked us up in the morning for a day at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.  We sort of lost track of time and the kids dug in their heels when it was time to go--it was that kind of museum.  Yes, it was a science teacher's dreamland, but fun for all. Trevor and Rylee especially liked the Crime Scene Investigation special exhibit.  They solved the mystery.  

We left in time to catch the train to Spokane.  It was another beautiful trip along the Columbia Gorge during sunset.  It was our last train trip and it's been perfect transportation for us. Kipp's brother, Kevin, his wife, Doris, and daughter, Dana, met us at the station at midnight.  

Ann

The kids loved OMSI, it was "electrifying."

Rylee and Hannah play "four in a row" using robotic arms at OMSI.

Ann's college buddies--Melanie and Wendy-- showed us around Portland.  We decided it was our 20th year reunion.

Teachable moments on the train

Tastes like chicken

I am writing from Portland Oregon, but since our last blog, we spent a final day in Sacramento with the Brown family. It was a pretty lazy day, as we had come in late from frog giggin' the night before. We spent the morning preparing for an Independence Day picnic at Linda's sister's home. A trip to Trader Joe's (a nifty organic grocery store), and an open-air produce market provided beautiful fruits, vegetables, local cheeses, etc. at extraordinarily inexpensive prices.

The picnic was fun. Linda's sister has a swimming pool at her house, and our children love to take a dip. We had hot dogs and hamburgers with home made pies for dessert. Truly, an All American Afternoon. We then had to pack up for a midnight train from Sacramento to Portland, but there was enough time to fry up the frog legs from night before. We all agreed; they really do taste like chicken.

After sleeping on the train, we found time to eat a breakfast of berries we had picket up at the market, catch up on our journals, and then rest some more.  We arrived here in Portland in the late afternoon and met up with Wendy (Jo) Pederson and Melanie Hertel -- friends of Ann's from college. We ate dinner together and planned tomorrow's adventure. Looks like we will visit OMSI before we catch the train to Spokane.

Kipp.

Apricots at the market.

Sam at the pool.

Russell, Trevor, and frog legs.

Rylee, on the train, catching up on her journal.

Ann, Wendy, and Melanie in Portland.

Sacramento Sights

You know, it's sunny here every day. I guess that's why they grow watermelons, cantalope, fruit trees, and lots of people in California. We took in a few sights of the area today. The Library of Congress has a traveling exhibit on Abraham Lincoln's life and work that is on display in downtown Sacramento, so we began the day with an educational visit. It was interesting for us adults, but I think the time in the Jelly Belly factory trumped the museum for the kids. We saw where our beloved jelly bellies are born. We also experienced In 'n' Out Burger where there's about three items on the menu--you can probably guess--but your order can be personalized. It was an oasis for hungry travelers and Hannah continues her quest for the best burger in America.

Russell, Andrew, Kipp, and Trevor left tonight at about 10pm to go frog giggin'. Let me explain: Frog giggin' is hunting for bullfrogs in order to partake of frog legs. Russell is an expert "frog gigger" and when Trevor learned of this, plans were laid. The frogs live in marshes so I'm sure the sight of four guys in a canoe with a spotlight and a devilish pole was entertaining. I slept through it, so maybe Trevor will fill you in. All I know is there's three frogs in the fridge, it's the 4th of July, and the grill will have some skinny legs on it.
Ann

Well, frog gigging is fun and lightning like movements of the arm are required. The first frog I saw was just floating with his head above water. I hit him with the gig pole, but since he was floating it pushed him under and he got away. We went around the pond and there was nothing so we saw the same frog back in the same place where I gigged him.  I tried again and he got pushed under again. So we went to shore where there was one croaking and we saw him. It was set up perfectly. I had to stand on a rock and he was right below me.  I aimed my pole and shoved it downward.  He jumped as I was coming down with the pole so I nailed him in the legs instead of the back.  Andrew needed a frog so we walked about 20 feet and there was one sitting on a log.  Andrew nailed him perfectly and we went home with three frogs.

Trevor

All the kids next to a picture of President Reagan composed entirely of Jelly Bellies.


Frog Giggin'. Russell shone the light while Trevor prepared for attack. I handled the motor, and that is Andrew in the middle.

This is Trevor with the bullfrog he snagged by the hind legs.