The World According to Jos

14th Anniversary

Yep -today's our 14th anniversary.... and they said it wouldn't last (actually, I don't know if anyone said that...)

Has school started yet??

The kids are getting antsy and we're all ready for school to start.  Two weeks from today we'll be starting the new routine and I couldn't be more anxious!  It's even worse when it's 100* out - we are all in the house together where it's cool.  Anyway...  Three months of summer is too long.

Nate started footballl last week.  It's quite a bit different up here than at Southridge.  In Beaverton football is VERY SERIOUS business.  Practice is like boot camp.  Great for discipline - but sometimes a little over the top in the intensity.

Up here it's all for fun.  Much more relaxed.  They're still learning and competing, just not as hard core.  Nate's waaay more into it because he gets to actually PLAY.  In Beaverton, unless you're one of the three star kids on the team, you didn't get much attention.  He's totally engaged and enjoying it.

Yesterday Hayden spent no less than 9 hours (I'm not kidding) sorting, cataloging and organizing the 170+ books in his room.  He created had a whole system which cross-referenced author, title and series.  And then numbered each book on the spine.  It was amazing.  He LOVES his books.

 

On Sunday our family had a BBQ at my aunt and uncle's house.  It was about 1000* out.  It was awesome to have everyone there, including Kristine)!  It's the first time she has been at a family gathering like that - and we were all THRILLED that she came!  She brought her boyfriend, Thomas, who is absolutely one of the most likable guys I've ever met!

Kristine and Thomas

Lindsey, my aunt Lori and Kelly

Grandma and her friend, Don

Kirk, Thomas and Dakota (the PERFECT dog) playing Bocci ball

a very (un)flattering pic of me and Kirk

Of course, I had planned on taking a ton of pics but only took 8.  Brilliant.

I'm trying to adjust to the weather change.  I LOVE fall, but I prefer a more gradual transition.  Going from 105* on Sunday to 67* on Monday isn't easy.  I was freezing at football practice last night - wearing fleece and wrapped in a blanket didn't help.  Cold to the core.  But today was nicer - more sun, and Kirk went to practice tonight so I'm able to stay cozy in the house :)

 

Final Sailing Lesson

Toady was Nate's last sailing class.  We were hoping to get him into the class next week, but that class is full, so this was it for the summer.

He was a little nervous about going today because they were going to sail out to the bridge if there wasn't too much wind.  Going out to the river is a HUGE deal, cuz, well... it's the Columbia River and he's 10 years old.  You wouldn't catch my 38 year old ass out there in a little boat, I'll tell you that much!

Turns out there was too much wind.  Those poor kids were flip-flopping all over the place. 

Here's a short, short video of Nate battling it out in the marina.  It doesn't look that windy, but it was gusty and he was struggling.  I noticed he wasn't using his sail AT ALL, so I walked towards him and called to him (to share some of my non-existent sailing tips). 

His response?

"BE QUIET!!!"

He was a little stressed.  I'll let it pass...

Nate's the one in the front of the pack - it's sorta looks like he's fishing, but that would be the rudder he's flipping around.  One positive - he never flipped.  All of the other kids got at least one bath.  He did get banged up - hit in the face and head and a cut on his leg.

He's a tough little nut.

See the bridge in the background?  That's where they had planned on going - yikes!

Sailing and such...

I guess I haven't blogged in like, a week or something.  I don't remember last week at all.  Hmmmm.. Nope. Drawing a big blank.  Worked in the yard a little.  Oh, WAIT!  had lunch with the worship dept on Wednesday!  How could I forget that???

Kirk started a new job at WebMD.  Great opportunity for him - sucky thing is he has to drive in to Montgomery Park. Once he gets all dail-ed in on the project, he'll be able to work from home a couple days a week.

Nate started sailing lessons on Monday.  He LOVES it!  It is the CUTEST thing EVER seeing these kids out in the marina in their little boats.  Lots of pics below.  Note:  My old camera went to the big developer in the sky on Monday, so I had to get a new one.  I haven't cracked the manual yet, so the pics are a bit blurry. My bad.

 

Marina shot above

 

See all the little sailboats on the left?  That's his class.

 

trying to get away from the women-drivers

 

Disaster averted.

He's the middle one

I suppose I could put all of these in an album to save space... but why?

Couple random pics:

Happy Hayden.

I know, I know... pet pics. Lame.  BUT, look at the smile on the cat's face after letting the dog know what's-what. (pardon the unmade bed).

Today is also Kirk's 38th brithday.  His mom drove up and had lunch with us, which was nice. The day was kind of packed with Nate's sailing in the morning, lunch, and a football meeting tonight.  In the afternoon Kirk snuck away and treated himself to some new windsurfing gear.  His big present from the family?  A POLICE SCANNER.  (That's what he asked for - you think I'd come up with that gift on my own? Please.)  There are alot of calls to the police about dogs possibly being locked in cars with the windows rolled up. 

All I can do is shake my head and roll my eyes.  He's a dork. :)