Archive for the ‘Eugene’ Category

A Halloweeny Saturday

Posted by julie on Saturday, 29 October 2011, 23:54

At noon, I said, “I should carve the pumpkins, or switch the silverware, or make some soup. But I don’t want to do anything.” Chris had just popped popcorn. I looked at him and said, “Hey, do you wanna watch a movie?” His reply: “I was going to ask you the same thing.” Well, the kids weren’t crazy about Gentleman Prefer Blondes, but that’s okay. Sylvan played a video game, Elena played with play-dough, both watched some musical numbers with Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe that just confused them. But we watched a whole movie. In the middle of the day!

Yay, Alder Bikeway! I wouldn't have attempted to take my new cyclist downtown before this. He impressed one group of football fans, who said they were twice his size before they biked on the road.

Then Sylvan and I headed downtown to see thousands of pumpkins. A few of my favorites:

Sylvan looked at more pumpkins just to humor me. He was patiently awaiting a doughnut.

Then on to the Porter Party! Halloween at the Porters is worth dressing up for: prizes, lots of other great costumes, praise. So, Elena was a princess, Sylvan a member of the Residential Unified Air Force (RUAF) in his shorts and a sweater, and I was finally Holly Golightly for Halloween. Boy, no more false eyelashes for me! What a hassle. For the folks who got my costume, I received high praise.

Sylvan is holding Cat the cat, which I carried all night.

What we did on October 23 in Eugene

Posted by jonesey on Sunday, 23 October 2011, 20:02

One of us, anyway. She was a little sandy after building four castles, so she decided to “wash the sand off.”

What do you mean it's 63 degrees?

She got all the sand off.

Eugene street scene

Posted by jonesey on Thursday, 6 October 2011, 20:42

Traveling from school to home. Two kids, two bikes, one bike trailer.  A little rain, and lots of sun. Stopping to check out lacrosse practice across the street from Agate Hall, where the Vaux’s Swifts nest in the chimney during their spring and fall migrations.

Also, I took this picture WITH MY PHONE. My PHONE. If you're over 30, stop and think about what the word "phone" used to mean. Not to get off topic, but thank you, Steve Jobs.

First Day of Kindergarten, Last Day of Ems Season

Posted by julie on Thursday, 8 September 2011, 0:06

Sylvan awoke this morning to soothing ocean sounds on his new alarm clock from Gramma Mia. He was dressed in a dapper button-down when he joined us for breakfast; he brushed his teeth, which is on our new morning list, then requested blueberry pancakes. He asked me to brush his hair, because it’s on the new list. Although I wanted to leave by 8, we left at 8:10, and we still got to Edison before they opened the doors at 8:15.

Unsure of his new surroundings, and looking haggard from staying up too late enjoying his new alarm clock

After some “discussion,” as Sylvan reported, the bus driver reluctantly let Sylvan ride the bus to Moss Street for the afternoon. I think I learned my lesson: DON’T turn in the dozens of forms they give you.

To top off a long day, we decided to head out to what ended up being the last game of the Emeralds baseball season. Turns out that Sylvan is a born baseball fan. Numbers? Check. Rules? Check. Lots of people to watch? Yes, that too.

This intense expression lasted for much of the game

I'm supposed to say "Yankees boo," but that's too silly

Happy the kids lasted the whole game, sleepy, and still intense

Seventh inning stretch: "One, two, THREE strikes you're out!"

The Ems lost, 5-4, but it took until the bottom of the 9th to decide. Exciting game.

Last Day of Summer?

Posted by julie on Thursday, 1 September 2011, 23:56

It must be nearly the last day of summer, because my children decided they needed to wear “wetsuits” to play in the water today:

 

It warmed up enough that swim lessons weren’t unbearable. It probably even rose out of the 60s!

This is the child who floats

And here's the sinker, in his swim class. He really liked his substitute teacher (and so did I!).

 

3-year-old tushies, waiting to jump

 

Jump!

 

First time down the slide by himself

 

After his lesson, soaking up the last bits of summer sun

Unclear on the concept

Posted by jonesey on Wednesday, 20 July 2011, 21:16

Seen at a construction site on the University of Oregon campus, Eugene, Oregon, July 2011.

Unclear on the concept

This photo was taken from the sidewalk, which used to go straight ahead.

Four cuties sharing a nectarine at Mt. Pisgah

Posted by jonesey on Thursday, 23 June 2011, 11:21

It does exactly what it says on the tin.

Colton, Pearl, and Elena. We sit when we eat.

Sharing.

Elena abducted by aliens.

Max! And Pearl in her usual photographic state - blurry.

A patient Colton finally gets some. This is how we strengthen our immune systems.

Springtime in Eugene

Posted by julie on Sunday, 15 May 2011, 22:22

Because She-who-shall-not-be-named gave me a hard time about not posting anything but granola for nearly a month, here are some photos of our recent days.

The chalk drawings before the addition of potty words

Wishful thinking: Pahd Thai for dinner (that happened), playdate with Robbie next Saturday (we'll probably be at the beach...)

Snacktime on a bridge!

Master Young Raccoon was attempting to enter our garage when Chris spotted him

Neighborhood Fire Hydrants

Posted by julie on Monday, 21 February 2011, 22:36

For those of you who aren’t in Eugene, here’s a link to all of the South University Neighborhood Association’s painted fire hydrants. If you click on a photo, you might get a little more information about the artist.

Because you never know

Posted by jonesey on Monday, 18 October 2010, 6:40

A subset of the nametags available for congregants at the Unity of the Valley Church, Eugene, Oregon. October 2010.

Nametag for JC

A pragmatist's answer to the age-old question: "Will we recognize Him if ever ever does return?"