TURNING FIVE TOMORROW

I spent an enjoyable day on I-5 today, driving from the southern part of the state to the northern part of the state to attend Naomi's birthday party tomorrow.  Naomi's dad, Tim, also celebrates a birthday tomorrow but the party is definitely for Naomi.

Today we hung out, played games, played music, took pictures, went out for pizza, and came back home for ice cream.





Silas provided entertainment with several well-performed songs on the piano.

Naomi asked if she could borrow my camera and took a picture of Devon wearing my hat.

Naomi also took advantage of my camera to take a flattering photo of me.

Once at the pizza parlor, Naomi plugs some quarters into a video game.

Devon, Silas, Tim, Tyler, me, Naomi and Bethany prepare to devour some pizza.

The pizza was mouth-watering good.


With only about four-and-a-half months left until Christmas, Silas "Wishes you a Merry Christmas" with a piano solo.

Devon and Bethany compete in a two-handed slap fight.

Naomi and Bethany compete in a two-handed slap fight with Silas and Devon watching.

Tim and Bethany compete in a two-handed slap fight.

Naomi sings for the very last time as a four-year-old.

RETURNING HUNTER

Today was the second and final day of Hunter's visit. Like yesterday, we all had a great time together, but the time eventually came to return Hunter to his family. 

About forty of them were camping at Harris Beach State Park in Brookings, so Hunter, Debra and I got in the car and headed to the coast to find them.

Hunter awoke this morning to the Cartoon Network, listening through a cordless headphone set while Debra, shown in the background, made pancakes for breakfast.

Hunter ponders the pool.

Debra, Hunter, Ashley and I enjoy breakfast together.

Nana and Hunter laugh together at some bizarre pictures in a book of visual illusions.

Our final snorkeling session before driving to Brookings.

Airborne.

Placing the solar blanket over the pool after spending a couple of hours in the water.

Stopping at the rest area near the tunnel on Highway 199 to enjoy the beauty of nature surrounding us and to get some physiological relief and comfort.

Stopping for a milkshake at Dairy Queen in Brookings before tracking down Hunter's family at the campground.

Finding the campsite.

Debra and I spend some time on the sand after returning Hunter to his family.

Finishing a great two days while watching the sun lower on the horizon at Harris Beach.

HANGING WITH HUNTER

Hunter and his family stopped in Grants Pass today on their way to a camping trip in Brookings.  After I got to meet some of his extended family, Hunter left with me while the rest of his crew continued to the coast.

This is Hunter's fourth consecutive summer in which he has been able to hang out with us at the house on Hybiscus.  He was here in 2009, 2010, 2011 and again this year.

After Hunter's family took off for the coast, I asked him where he would like to have lunch.  He said, "Mickey D's", so that's where we enjoyed our fine dining experience together.

After lunch, we took a brief detour on our way to the house on Hybiscus.  Hunter wanted to see where I worked, so we stopped by the cancer center where Hunter took the controls of a linear accelerator.

Thinking that Hunter might like to have a mask and snorkel set like mine, I got him a set.  My thinking was right.

Breathing under water.

The mask and the face behind the mask.

Riding the seahorse, or the dragon, or whatever you want to call it.

Riding Papa's shoulders.

Taking a fudge bar break.

Warming up in the hot tub.

Feasting on Nana's spaghetti.

Whipping Papa in a game of Pictureka, without cheating, before finishing the day at the theater watching "Ice Age: Continental Drift" in 3D.

Hunter asked me to take a video of him swimming the length of the pool and back to prove to his mother that he could do it.  Here's the proof.

IN THE MONTH OF JULY

In the summer of 1970, a song was released by Mungo Jerry called “In The Summertime”, which has become one of the most popular and recognizable summertime songs ever. 

In the summer of 1952, nearly two decades earlier, my little brother was born.

In the summer of 2012, this summer, I honored my little brother by mocking him in a two-minute music video called “In The Month of July”, partially plagiarizing Mungo Jerry’s one and only hit tune.

Happy Birthday, Dean!

 

Sorry, Mungo.



View Mungo Jerry's "In The Summertime" by clicking

HERE

View Dean's celebratory birthday video by clicking

HERE

ASHLEY'S BIG PURCHASE

Ashley has been driving an old clunker for the past five years, including her last year of high school, three years of college, and one year of full time employment as a teacher on the Oregon coast.

The clunker was my contribution to her transportation needs.  With a plethora of problems, it was time for the clunker to go.  I think I'll donate it to Kars4Kids.

Meanwhile, Ashley and her mom and I went to Heritage Motors last night and test drove a Chevy.  Today, Ashley signed the contract, coughed up the down payment, qualified for a loan, and drove it home.

The clunker gets a thumbs down.

The Chevy gets a thumbs up while the mom unsuccessfully tries to get out of the picture.

MAKIAH TURNS FIVE

Makiah turned five-years-old this week and today we celebrated with a party in our back yard.  The group of thirteen included six girls, both parents, both sets of grandparents and an aunt.

Makiah as she appears today.

Four sisters plus two friends.

The four big kids get ready to jump.

The four big kids in flight.

Gordon plays with the two little kids.

Debra and Ruth, both grandmothers, visit during the party.

Tom and Gordon, father and son, watch the kids from the side of the pool.



The crowd, including (clockwise from upper left) Rylie, Miranda, Debra, Baylee, Becky, Tom, Ruth, Gracie and Josie, gathers to watch Makiah open her gifts.



Makiah opens her first gift.

Makiah's jaw drops as a sign that she is pleased with her gift.

"Happy 5th Birthday Makiah!" displayed on a birthday cake made of cupcakes.

Makiah places her own candles on her cup-birthday-cakes.

Makiah blows out the candles with Josie and Gordon looking on.

Alexia eats her cupcake.

I hang out with the six girls in the pool.

Makiah has had a birthday party at our house every year since she was born.  When she turned one-year-old, we celebrated with a Hawaiian theme.