Let's hear it for the girls

Updates from the estrogen-rich side of the family? Well, Kristin started her job this September, teaching at a well-respected Montessori school located in the shadow of the Fremont Bridge. Hers is a combined classroom of kids from 9-12. She's excited and anxious and happy and worried, wanted to be the best teacher ever. After a one-year experiment in her own apartment, she's moved back in with roommates -- and her new place is just  few blocks away! That has been awesome for us!

Sarah's had rocky summer. She left one job and started another, had a birthday and a series of illnesses that resulted in an upcoming ear surgery (chronic infections). But she's also enjoyed nesting in her new apartment and attending her dad's wedding. 

 

Sarah's apartment

Jess spent the summer working in Redmond, trying to save money for college but still enjoy her months off from school. She stayed with her grandmother there and made it up to visit us twice during the summer break. She's very excited to be back at SOU this fall!

Summer Roundup Part II

In June we had a barbecue at our house and we called it the Naked Barbecue because it coincided with the World's Largest Naked Bike Ride. It was a great mix of people, from our realtor to two "coworkers" from our Tree Bud project to a scattering of friends and family. The house was still in some disarray and the backyard still a nuclear wasteland, but we went ahead anyway and had a great time. 

Also in summer Leslie had a girlfriends outing, this time a weekday party boat cruise on the Columbia River. Susan's husband was captain and all the gals had to do was eat, drink and chat. It was perfect. 

We attended a Portland Thunder football game. It was the first time inside the Rose Garden for Leslie and the first Thunder game for both of us. We took the light rail there and back (except for the 1 mile walk through a sketchy part of town because we didn't want to wait for the connecting bus) and so considered it a perfect Portland experience. 

And we attended a street dance in West Linn, more for L's work than anything else but it was fun to go exploring in the Metro area -- can't stay limited to Portland all the time!

Summer Roundup Part 1

It seemed that all summer we worked too hard, at work on weekdays and on the house on weekends, but in reality we had our share of fun. In August we went to a party outside Hillsboro, a coworker of B's with a huge hobby ranch. It was lovely out there, with a bluegrass band, no crowds and a gorgeous sunset. 

Also in August the Hicks family breezed through town on their way home from their typical epic road trip. We hosted  dinner at our house, had a nice long visit -- then they were off. 

Except Dan stayed an extra day and had more time to visit with his sister and us. We headed to the Alberta district for a street fair, which seemed to be  perfect "Welcome to Portland" activity. 
Jess was home for a few days, taking care of pre-college chores and appointments.

And in June (even though this wasn't OUR fun) the kids' dad Scott was remarried in Walla Walla and all the kids were there and a part of the celebrations. They love his new wife and she seems to feel the  same so this was a happy day for the whole family.