Pacific City 2009

Our annual pilgrimage to the beach. Good times were had by all. Here are some highlights.

Chris and Nate upon arrival. Shortly after this picture, Nate was knocked down by a wave and was rolled into shore, gasping for breaths by the end of it. It was awful. The sea always wins.

Action shot of Susan and Mark hauling Ella and Grace down the sand hill.
Cousins! 4 days/3 nights and not one fight between the 7 of them. They love each other and have so much fun together.

Chris flying his kite on a very windy day at the Oregon Coast. Hold on tight!

Typical scene on the beach.

Dan took the boys fishing at Town Lake. Nothing caught, except for this lovely dragonfly.

Even dragonfly for bait didn't help.

Our favorite beach game--down, set, steal!

The view looking out from the deck to the huge sand dune about 2 miles down the beach.

Chris and Nate on top of that very dune! It was very windy. They cruised to the top like madmen. I attempted to get to the top but only made it half way before I quit and just sat in the sand...it was tough! Thankfully these boys have some brains in their heads, because they were at the top w/o any parental supervision, the view over the backside is an absolutely gorgeous fright. They stayed back from the drop and waited for the rest of the troops to arrive.

Mark, Claudine, and Catie at the summit.

Susan, Caroline, Ella, and Grace at the top.

I think I can, I think I can....

Don't call me a quitter! The next day Mark, Susan, Grace and I went back and I found my way to the top, too. It was a beautiful view! Ella....just being cute in the sand.

Dog pile!! Poor Grace and Susan after a rousing round of down-set-steal.

Um, hello deer! Craziest thing that 2 deer came right to our beach house that was 75 yards from the ocean. I think they were lost. They liked the french bread though!

Nate and Catie Lou flying a kite.

We can't wait to do it again next year...and it will be here before we know it!

looking for bugs--- and a cat with an attitude!

Under the pavers, in the dirt, between the roots. These boys love to find bugs....earwigs, snails, slugs, ants, potato bugs, you name it. They all found their new home in the green bucket.

Harry had a bad attitude as he cried through the screen window that was right above our heads. Bad kitty, no outside time.

new shoes and a new tradition

Auntie Leann and Uncle Frank have started a tradition for the boys, and it's very much appreciated! They are the generous purchasers of Chris and Nate's stylish back-to-school shoes. This is their second year, and it looks like they might be in for the next 12 years as well. (The boys will have to negotiate the college years.) Thanks for these Merrells....they love them!

Tallest Sunflower Ever!

We just measured it, and it's 12 feet tall!

Where does the time go?

My Aunt Karen and Uncle Dick had a Slater family get-together yesterday. Unfortunately, no photos were taken (bad us!) My mom also gave us a copy of a VHS tape that she had converted to DVD chronicling a summer day in 1988.....bad hair-do's, blue leather sofas, and images of Granny, Woo the Cat, and Thor the dog. Could it really have been 21 years ago? I remember the day.

Time goes way.too.fast.
I hope that this blog someday brings as many laughs and memories to Chris and Nate as watching that video did for me.

2030 will be here before they know it.

Camping with Catie and Uncle Mark at Trillium

We spent the weekend at Trillium Lake Campground...one of our favorite spots from last year. When we arrived, the ground was wet and it had been raining. But we lucked out---although it was chilly and felt like October, we never saw any more rain. The highlight of the trip was having Uncle Mark and Catie come and join us for a night. It was Catie's first camping trip, and she had lots of fun!
The excitement for this trip was getting fishing poles and trying our luck in the lake. These boys can really cast!

We didn't have any luck with fish, but we did catch a few other things out of the lake.

Chris caught this salamander. He caught a ride on the hook and was reeled right in! He went back to lake living after the catch.

....and Nate caught this duck! it was really traumatic and dramatic, but with Dan and Mark's calm swift action, they were able to cut the fishing hook out of his bill and let him return to the lake. Poor duck!

Dan helping with the fishing poles and lines.....again. and again. and again.

Cousins.

Tasty dinner of grilled potatoes, red peppers, corn-on-the-cob, macaroni salad, and turkey kielbasa cooked in beer. It was tasty, but food always tastes better when camping!

This boy loves his corn.

Sitting around the cozy fire as we headed into the evening at the campground. Time for scary stories!

Uncle Mark and Catie don't know what to think about the story of Old Man Thomas from Timothy Lake. The new lore at Trillium was about the Trillium Lake Troll. ooOOOO!

Tuckered out and sharing a big sleeping bag that is 2 zipped together--perfect for cozy brothers.

Me and Markie.

Chris, Nate, and Catie-Lou sitting atop the biggest tree stumps ever and acting like gnomes.

Another successful camping trip. Thanks for coming with us and sharing in the adventure, Mark and Catie!

Seattle tourists

Chris, Nate and I went to Seattle for a few days to hang with Aunt Susie and the cousins. We kept very busy and had a great time.

Our favorite new spot was the Scratch Patch. It was a cute little shop that has 2 rooms filled with beautiful, shiny rocks that you can sort through, and collect. It was a real hit. I think that Portland needs a place like this!

Laying in the rocks.
A close-up to show some of the gorgeous colors and shapes that we found. I have to say, the rocks are much prettier in person.
Then a trip to visit the Fremont Troll. There was a little bit of anxiety in the car as we approached and spoke of this big guy, but once we were there, he wasn't nearly as scary.
We took a picnic lunch to Gas Works Park, which is on Lake Union and has a great view of the city. Grace, Ella, Chris and Nate at the top of the hill. A mama and her boys.

Chris really did a number on his knees with a bike wipe-out the night before. 5 year olds should not try to be X-Games...the wheels just don't spin the same. Ouch!

Tuesday was National night out, and the street in front of the Cotter's house was blocked off for people to get out and enjoy the neighborhood. The kids rode their bikes until it was dark, people ate, drank, and had a good ol' time. A highlight of the evening was this bee. All of the kids took turns holding it. No stinger.

The following morning we walked to Cowan Park, and played. We took a kit that had balloons that could be blown up, and when let go, would soar overhead and slowly let out the air. What a hit! All of the kids at the park wanted a turn to try. This picture shows Nate in the lead with a balloon that is ready to fly, and all the kids chasing. He was a real pied piper with that balloon!

Lunch at Dicks...a Seattle landmark with old'style burgers and fries. We ate in the car. Another fun trip to Seattle. Thanks, Cotters!