Big Nate Turns Two Two!

22 Candles calls for a big huff-n-puff.

Now that's what I'm talking about - a kiss for the birthday boy!

Not So Secret Pleasures

Big strawberries and Dora bouncy balls!

Le Beauty Parlor

Ming had her first 'official' visit to the salon yesterday. Up until this point, Mom has faithfully (and quite proficiently) owned 'beauty duty' for Ming's hair, but we decided that a tune up might be in everybody's best interest. As always, Ming Mei handled the experience in strike...and with a whole lotta cuteness.

Saturday at Manito Park

Today is one of those hot 90+ degree Spokane summer days. We spent a little time at Manito Park this afternoon enjoying the fruit of our tax dollars...

Inviting A Friend Over

Ming invited a friend over this week for a little fun - Alexander, from her pre-school class.

The thing about inviting friends over (especially with boys) is that it is so much fun to plan and prepare. When you're thinking about it all prior to the event, everything comes togther nicely in your mind. Then the day comes and things get out of contol quickly (especially with boys)...which more often than not leads to a meltdown.

Things got a little better after the...um...er...uh...episode.

Spying on Ming Mei from the Deck

Ming found a a restful place for her and her doggie to hang out in the backyard, so she decided to sit down and relax. You'll notice the yellow boots that she's wearing...they were Cousin Holden's at one time, but he outgrew them. Ming likes to put them on and stomp around.

Hot Tubbies

Actually that title will get me in trouble...
Let's go with Hot Tubbin' Hotties.

Ming and Mama enjoying Aunt Kim and Uncle Roger's backyard.

H2Overload

I arrived home from the weekend in Montana just as Ming was diving into her own private backyard pool party. Linda and I sat on the back patio and enjoyd the privacy of our backyard and got caught up on our respective weekend events. Our special little Ming found multiple ways to enjoy the water on this balmy evening in Spokaloo.

Pyro Fun

Tonight in Montana we sat on Jack and Cindy's back deck and watched Nate and Levi light up the sky. Old Man Moon was showing of a little of his sizzle too...and if you look closely you can see that the sprinklers on the golf course were getting in on the action too. (Linda, Titus, Ming and Maya went to watch another fireworks show in downtown Spokane tonight.)

Action shot.

And here is our own pyrotechnic version of a Rorschach Ink Blot...what do you see?

July 4, 2009

As a Independence Day celebration, Levi and I took a hike up Trail 717 in the Jewel Basin just outside of Bigfork, Montana. We're over here in the Big Sky country for the holiday weekend.

The sun is out, the sky is blue, and it is a warm one. We're hiking at an altitude that is high enough to still have some snow patches here and there, especially after the significant snow pack this winter.

Levi's cell phone showed '7 out of 8 bars' so we called Mom back in Spokane from the trail

Check out Levi's mountain goat friend in the background.

Now What Are The Odds of This?

As Levi and I were hiking up the trail, I glanced ahead and saw some folks coming down. From about 40 or 50 feet away I said to Levi: "Check it out, this dude has your shorts on." So as we met on the trail we exchanged a few words about the mountain goats, then Levi said to the guy, "Nice shorts." The fellow had a good laugh about it and then said to his wife/girlfriend (pictured in the yellow shorts), "Hey Jennifer, look at this guy's shorts!" And then as an aside to us he said, "She bought them for me." Then he jokingly said, "You didn't get them in Phoenix, did you?" To which Levi replied, "Yes!" Jennifer then chimed in and said to Levi: "Kohl's?" To which Levi answered, "Yes, the Kohl's right by the Cardinals' stadium." Everybody got a big kick out this small-world moment at a big-world location.

Big Sky Scenery