Skeen Time

In more ways than one
three days were filled with great skeen time
dad was the dreamer
who made it simply sublime

(Madi and I went biking with Mom)

Home for some family time

in Autumn amidst school days

so grateful to have been there

for reasons more than words can say.

(we made autumn cupcakes for a gathering)

For some fun we did look

though not far distant we could see

Pike Place market in the sun

Ivar's fish and chowder a plenty.

(Kristen, Madi and Kevin)

Storms let up just in time
the last hours 'fore my return
we slalomed on glassy lake water
Dad cut his ski through the cold water burn.

(dad looks great!)

(dad-daughter time on Lk. Sammamish)

Seasons change and paths take turns
while days too come and go
but some things are unchanging
like family, a love and home you always know.

Monticello

The drive to Monticello was BEAUTIFUL. Fall leaves, open fields, good music, and good company. As another "Autumn Get Off Your Bottom" activity, Adrienne and I fulfilled the dream with a group of friends and acquaintances.

After seeing the graveyard with the tombstone of TJ and his wife, his garden was just up the hillside with a beautiful view behind.

Grapes

Asparagus (aka asper-grass ;) )

Parsley, alongside other spices

Sunflowers with tons of dropping sunflower seeds--huge!

The grounds alone were stunning, let alone the home with its conveniences that were quite unique for its time.

Jefferson is a very inquisitive man, and he made time to seek a lot of very practical answers to his questions, leaving to a more comfortable life than perhaps many others would have live at that time.

One of my favorites was independently changing day-of-the-week calendar that had a weights that hang next to the name of the week by a pulley system that was adjusted with an automatic clock system (picture below shows the clock in the corner---not my own, from here).

Canoe, Bike, Run

Boyds, Maryland... Little Big Adventure Triathlon!

Luke and I race in our first team-triathlon together today! Looking around at our competition against other 7/8-year-olds and their parents, especially the fathers, we were determined to make up lost time on the canoe leg during the bike and run legs.

Canoe...

Some how team "Walkin' on Water" pulled to the lead (literally) of the pack during the half-mile canoe stretch!!! We were so shocked!!!! Luke is a natural.

Bike...
Hills, rocks, and roots made the biking leg adventurous... Luke wished he had his paved path for a smooth ride, but he did awesome jumping over the bumps along the way and climbed the hills like a champion. Even with sore legs and a confusing turn as we approached the finish, he pushed through! It was a beautiful trail.

Run...
More hills were on the menu for the last leg, and we did it! Most was on a paved path, but we enjoyed a little trail running at the end, as we worked hard to keep out distance ahead of opponents. Sprinting to the finish line, Luke didn't waste second before he gave his muscles a break. :)

Way to go team Walkin' on Water! We couldn't have done it, literally, without our SUPER STAR Fans.... Nate, Marci and Frank! Together, we placed 3rd in the 7/8-age group!!!

THANK YOU, Dietrichs, for yet another great ADVENTURE!!!

"Bobbing" for Apples

Better put, swimming for apples...

About a month ago, we made a list entitled "Autumn Get Off Your Bottom," including around a dozen things we'd like to do before the season has come to an end.
Thinking we could keep our pool open as long as we so desired, our plan was to check off the "bobbing for apples in the pool" from the list during our Halloween Party at the end of the month.

Then we got a phone call from the landlord informing us that her father would be coming to CLOSE THE POOL the NEXT DAY! SO, we did just what the list was meant for...

Adrienne informed us it was time to "Get off [our] Bottoms" and get Bobbing for Apples in the pool! Friends came over for some excellent bobbing in cold but beautiful pool party with apples afloat.

It was much more difficult to actually capture the apples in our mouths in such a large and deep body of water without the help of the side walls. Nonetheless, we did some bobbing and enjoy good company and hot chocolate with our apples afterward.

Getting pumped... I like this picture b/c my asian-ness shines through ;)

Steady now... the shivering didn't help ;)

How about them apples!?

We'll miss ol' faithful this winter.