Wintertime fun

We've settled into winter over here, a big pile of muddy boots in the laundry room to prove it. With two ice storms and four snow days off from school, we've spent most of it at home. It has been cozy and fun so far. And we're currently on day 8 of a 19 day Christmas break (but who's counting, right?).

Our sweet kitty Maeve loves her spot under the tree. She's been edged out by gifts now.

Staying home means lots of cooking, baking, planning meals, and thinking about food in general. So it's only natural that I kind of obsessed over this perfect breakfast: the last of the homemade goat's milk yogurt with pear, walnuts, and honey. So good!

Ole has kept busy. Between bouts of begging for television, he's been painting, drawing, sledding, jumping, and all sorts of fun kid stuff. I've been loving his latest work.

We finally had our first frost deep into December. I do believe it was the latest frost on record in our area, but it brought with it a doozy of an ice storm.

We've lived here long enough to see a few of these storms, so we were fully prepared and happy to stay off the roads for a few days. I saw the new neighbors wandering around dazed by the sight of inch-thick ice, taking photos of it all just like me.

Here's hoping the holidays are happy and bright wherever you are!

Ho hum autumn

The days are getting shorter and the east wind is a-blowin'. Our fall routines continue here: the hauling in of pumpkins, the saving of seeds, and the jumping in of leaf piles.

A colorful assortment this year.

We enjoyed Washougal's harvest carnival again this year, especially the balloon man who seems to find real joy in his unusual career.

He made a bat!

Other fall things are happening, too. We chopped the artichokes to the ground and mulched, pruned the raspberry canes, and planted a few spring bulbs.

Mama hen teaching her four nearly-grown chicks the Way of the Chicken.

A few artichokes left unharvested in the garden.

Then just before it was finally time to trick or treat, the bat disappeared and this ninja emerged. Doorbells were rung and candy was eaten in classic Halloween style.

This week has been overshadowed by election disappointment. Despite the drizzle and my foul mood, I headed to the woods early Wednesday morning, hoping to shake loose that dark cloud. It was a lovely trail, but no luck. Even Pepper has the blues.

Remember September

We had so much fun at the beach Labor Day weekend that I thought we'd take a look back. The weather was perfect and we spent most of our time outside--Dad organized a family bocce ball tournament which he then handily swept.

Ready!

The gear, ready for action

Rhonda, Alex, and Ole playing in the ditch. See the minion perched on the mole hill? Even Legos got involved in the bocce game.

Nice form, Dad!

The award ceremony. Ole grins with his trophy.

We really soaked up the sun at the beach. It was busier than usual because of the holiday, but we staked out a good spot for kite flying. It was Josh's first time!

Then we hit up a nearby beach, a short drive from our usual spot, and enjoyed the long flat coastline, the surfers, the driftwood shanty town, and tide pools.

Back at home, more sunflowers!

So tall!

Ole heads into the towering sunflower forest.

Our kitty, Maeve, keeps an eye on the hummingbird feeder.

A fun surprise in the chicken tractor...4 baby chicks!

Five

It's hard to believe that this tiny guy turned five this month. They've been five great years!

We celebrated in a pretty low key way this year: birthday lunch out with his bestie, a ninja cake after dinner, and a few fun outings in the days surrounding. Mostly he just played with all his new Legos.

Silly boys

We went to see the Portland Pickles play. They're a collegiate woodbat baseball team and they played really well this evening, walloping the Sacramento Stealth 11-0. Our favorite part was Dillon, the pickle mascot.

"Look, Dad, Dillon signed my glove!"

We headed east for the Dufur Threshing Bee. Gotta love a tractor parade!

Back at home, we picked apples with the baby goats' help. Our young Jonathan apple tree gave us a nice basket-full, already canned away as applesauce.

 And then there are the sunflowers...my summer pride and joy!

Five is pretty great so far. Up next, kindergarten!