We Needed a Family Break!

So, we went into Spokane for a day at Riverfront Park. It was like a dream day for Silas because it included the big wagon slide, feeding the ducks, a playground, the carousel, and the huge fountain that kids can play in. We spent some relaxing time together which is just what we needed after a few weeks of moving and house buying stress (we are hopefully moving in this Wednesday.) These binoculars were from an Arby's meal and they were the treasured toy of the day. Still, right now Silas and Barry are out at the dump and Silas took his favorite binoculars so that he wouldn't miss any deer, or people, or cars, or trees...

Elise LOVES swings! We never knew that before because we live far away from any baby swings. She was such a ham!
Emmitt enjoys things a little more discretely, but he had lots of fun too.

Hey Princess!

Doesn't every boy like to sit on fountains and let the water spray out from between his legs?

5 Years Ago

This month is our 5 year anniversary.

What I think is beautiful about love is that it grows, changes, and renews. Love allows for transition, even expects it. Love gives allowance for failure. Love quickly forgives. Love anticipates goodness and fosters truth. Love is not something you "fall out of", it is something you choose. Love never fails.

Barry & Tiffany

June 19, 2004

Inchelium Visit: What We Do About Every Other Week

I wanted to do a little documentary on our Inchelium trips. We go to Inchelium for doctors appointments, dentist appointments, to get WIC checks and to see Papa and Auntie Punkin. Whenever we go we run into other family and spend lots of time chatting. Sometimes, it's our only social outing of the week (besides church), so it's a pretty important event.

Here we are loading up on the ferry from Gifford to Inchelium. The ferry crosses the Columbia River, where it has become wide because of Grand Coulee Dam and it's now Lake Roosevelt.

Whenever I take pictures on the ferry, some nice Indian man or lady gives me a look like, "Oh, I'm sure this is a novelty for you...". I'm always a little shy and would like to say that in fact I am a local.

Getting on the ferry:

Silas looks really happy to be in his car seat. But, he did get a special "Silas Soda" to drink before be left. He and I drink carbonated water. It's our version of caffeine free/sugar free.

Emmitt in his big boy seat that Silas used to use.

Elise is still in the infant seat. She's just a little button.

The sign, just in case someone new comes looking for the clinic. I'm not sure if anyone new has ever come up to the clinic.

The clinic: Auntie Punkin works there in the pharmacy. I didn't take any pictures of the doctors or clinic workers; once again, I was too embarrassed. Really it's my whiteness that makes me feel like I shouldn't make myself stick out any more than I already do.

A mural inside:

A painting inside that I really like:

Heading back across the ferry: A truck almost hit me as I took this photo because he expected me to just keep going and load up on the ferry.

The beautiful view from the ride across the river. The breeze across the water brought the temperature down about 10 degrees. It was lovely.

Local terrain: dry and mountainous

On the ferry ride back, Silas got to "drive" the van. He is sporting his new Dora sticker that he picked out a the doctor's office.

Catholic Mass & A Moose

My handsome fella climbing a fence at a friend's ranch.

Melt my heart.

I'm trying to show Silas how to lead this calf without letting go of the rope. She pulled and spooked a little, so he wasn't sure whether he wanted to risk it.

A cowboy in training.

Silas and the "Big Rock"; a very important part of our daily life. He plays on it, under it and around it, and when he wants to go outside without parental supervision, he says that he'll go play out "by the Big Rock", which for some reason makes me feel like he'll be safe.

Yaya reading to Silas:

He loves books and loves the personal attention of being read to even more.

The moose that ran across the road on Hunters-Springdale pass. It seems fitting that we should almost kill this moose. I'm sure that it's a relative of the moose that almost became my front seat last year on the same mountain pass.

Aunt Rosie had her (twin boy) babies baptized in the Catholic church a couple of weeks ago. All of the family filled an entire section of the ornate building and I'm sure we were the rowdiest attendees the congregation has seen since Christmas.

Michael looks a little angelic. James looked equally sweet, but I was bouncing my own duo and all of the other shots turned out blurry.

April Came to our House!

Let the pictures begin with the worthless chihuahua. She is so underloved.

My handsome boy and me having a tickle match.

Posing with the camera in hand is always so tricky. I usually look like I have eight chins, so a slightly strange facial expression is not so bad.

Baby girl was very happy to socialize with April. I think April should consider it quite a sincere compliment.

My dad rocks!

Emmitt has a fever and wasn't happy today, but he tried to be friendly.

Sweet little nubbin.

The Northwest in Springtime

Apple blossoms:

Daffodils are some of the cheeriest and earliest flowers.

Apparently the scallions come back year after year.

Hum, green...blessed green.

The sky is blue and calm like a placid lake today.

The apple trees:

Cut wood: a scene in every season

We call these "skunk plants" because they smell so good.

The proud master tree climber:

The Girl Shanty

I'd like to take a moment to mention that just because I enjoy music, books, art, and media in general which celebrates women, does not mean that I am anti-men. I am very pro-men, especially as it relates to my man.

I hope you can enjoy this song with me. Click below and press "play " to hear it. Eat your heart out, Sam Sady.

http://new.music.yahoo.com/sons-of-the-never-wrong/tracks/girl-shanty--56472905

By the way, pick yourself some flowers. It's MAY DAY!