Summer potpourri

As we wound down summer, I wanted to capture a number of activities that happened that I haven't already devoted a blog entry too.

Summer seems to end earlier each year.  Nate began first grade, with school starting on Aug 24th.  I recall that I was never in school on my birthday until college and now it seems the summers are getting shorter and shorter.

Nate all ready for his first day at school. He was so proud that he's a big kid now.

He gets his very own desk.  Biggest disappointment for him was not knowing what to put in his desk.  Wanted to fill it with toys.

First action of a first grader was to find your desk and begin coloring.

As Karate wound down, we missed the first few soccer practices as they overlapped.  We finally got Nate to practice and he quickly adapted to the faster pace of soccer.

What has become an annual trip for Maria and Nate, a trip down the Truckee river.  I wasn't able to make it as I was working, but Lilia and the kids did it for the first time and really liked how much easier it is than do the American river.

Labor Day

Labor day weekend was spent poolside, BBQ, golf and great friends.  Chicken and ribs were a highlight of the BBQ weekend.  Our friends brought a bunch of side dishes and we ate like kings all weekend.

At night, the kids moved their party indoors to play Wii.  Luckily they were under the close watch of Terry, who was passed out on the couch after laying sod in the hot sun all day.

During the day, adults were regulated to the shallow end or the edges of the pool as the waves from all the kids jumping caused to much havoc in the deeper pool areas.

Some kids needed a little help getting into the pool.

Others were looking for active targets to bomb.

Party got a little out of hand when the sheriff came for a visit.  Luckily he was able to be subdued with ribs.  Kids got a real kick out of turning on the siren and talking into the PA.

Maria got an photography lesson and was checking out how to take some low light photos.

Jump in

We spent a lot of time this summer in and out of the pool.  Below is a bunch of pool photos, they all sort of run together as we had people over frequently and the kids never get tired of playing in the pool.

Nate spent quite a bit of time trying to perfect his canon ball.

Shayne showing off his Michael Jackson jump

Nate and Ethan

Even Claudia got in on the action.  Great to see her swimming without a vest.

Yellow Belt

As we wind down Nate's first Karate class, it was time to begin testing.

Nate and his new buddy Wyatt

Together they battled the other white belts

Nate likes to add a bit of drama to the punch, really putting his whole body into it.

The students went through their 8 step Kata's, with all the instructors watching to make sure they do it right.

Then they had to demonstrate the different blocks they learned

And they would finish off their Kata's with a yell. which some did much louder than others.

Finally they paired the kids up and had one punching and one blocking.  No actual contact, just watching the movements.

In the end Nate and Wyatt got their yellow belts.  Wyatt will be continuing in the fall, but we decided to hold Nate out.  He was a little bored with the repetitive nature of Karate and was busy focusing on Soccer, faith confirmation and Boy scouts.

Folsom Lake

As we returned from Seattle, we arrived home just in time to meet the Cottles.  Our first activity was a day on Folsom Lake.

Nate was not happy about wearing the life vest all day, but as we told him, it's the law. 

One of Nate's favorite activities was driving the pontoon boat.

Claudia and Dani on the lake. 

German and Claudia

Mike and Lilia

Oh captain, my captain.  German liked being in charge of the boat.

Nate and his stated future wife Chloe

Mike teaching Nate the finer points of driving a boat, like how to avoid the shore.

The Ossa's enjoying the sun.  While the day started out rather chilly it turned into a very nice day on the lake and the lake water was warm, maybe even warmer than our pool.

Shayne and Chloe riding the inner tube, which is the highlight of our boating trips.

Nate and I enjoying our time on the tube.

Nate loved the tube, but surprisingly asked to not go too fast.

Claudia got on and had fun with Nene

Nate took a turn with Shayne and Chloe, although I think Nate kept the speed a little slow for them. 

Seattle

In middle of August, Maria Nate and I packed it up and headed north to Seattle.  We flew up and stayed with Frank and Rhonda.  Rhonda and Maria knew each other in high school.  They had been down to see us a couple of times and we were overdue for a visit to their hometown.

Met a friend I haven't seen since our days at Sac State.  Lloyd Levine and his wife Edie Lambert were flying to Seattle on the same flight as us.  Lloyd was a CA assemblyman until term limits ended that.  He continues to work in politics while his wife is the Channel 3 news anchor.  As we were in line waiting to board, Edie was in front of us, with their newborn and I'm standing directly behind her.  She tells the gate attendant that her husband is right behind her, which caused me to protest.  I quickly stated that I was not her husband, right as Lloyd comes running to the gate, saying he's here.  We instantly recognize his voice and Maria and I quickly greet him. We got a short to chance to catch up and see how they are doing.

Our tour guides, Frank & Rhonda took us on a tour of the downtown Seattle area.  First stop was Pike's market, great for fresh fish and produce.  Shayne had flown up from LA to join us for our trip up north and he enjoyed hanging with his new friend Royce, whom he met when they met us for skiing at New Year's.

Nate was not a fan of all the walking and quickly found a comfortable spot on my shoulders.  With all the people I'm sure it made the views much better for him.

Mmmm Crab. 

Nate trying to twist my head off.

Our little family photo.

We found one of the fish places selling Poke.  Nate was in heaven.  We eat it quite often when we're in Hawaii, but it's been awhile since we last went and he was excited to get his fresh fish cravings satisfied.

After enjoying lunch in downtown, we headed over to the space needle.  We had every intention of heading up, but the two and half hour line scared us off.  We thought we'd make it back before our trip was over, but never did.  Now we have another reason to come back.

Nate found a cozy place to rest while we checked into the line for the Space Needle.

Nate ready to go to the next stop.  He was a bit sad that we didn't go up, but he got some candy and a laser light toy gun which was all he really wanted anyway.

In front of the International Fountain, which is the same area as the Space Needle and the Seattle center.  Nate wanted to chase the water and it was quite the popular activity on this warm summer day.

Our hosts took us for a day of wine tasting.  First stop was Chateau Ste Michelle.

Frank and I enjoying the red wines.

Marisol and Rhonda getting their turn at the counter.  We went over to an area where Frank's office used to be and they had converted the old office park into a series of winery tasting rooms.  It was a really interesting idea.  Apparently most of the grapes are grown on the eastern side of Washington, but most people live on the western side. To bring the wine to the people, these wineries have established this small area with a high density of tasting rooms.  A great place to go visit 20-3o wineries all within walking, or stumbling distance of each other.

After spending the afternoon wine tasting we headed over to another of Maria's high school friends, Brett.

Brett and his wife Sonya at their home.

Brett works for a seafood company and brought us these amazing Alaskan King Crab legs.

To go with the surf, they had some beautiful filet's and several more bottles of wine.

The high school gang reunited.

Brett is also a big Scotch fan.  He brought out several bottles for us to sample.  While I enjoyed the 14 year old Balvenie, I could have done without the Ardberg Supernova as it was just too peaty for me.

Maria's favorite show is Northern Exposure.  While the thought never crossed her mind before we left, it quickly became a highlight of the trip when Rhonda suggested we travel to Rosalyn, the town where the show was filmed.

The town looks like it did in the TV show, and they clearly still use that as a tourist draw.

We had lunch at a place called the Brick.

Got a couple of photos at the bar, although not the same bar inside as what was portrayed on the show

Frank and Rhonda waiting while Maria ran from shop to shop to see where the radio station was, Joel's office, the general store etc.

On the way back from Rosalyn, we stopped at this little waterfall.

Can't say Nate was impressed.  By this time he was pretty bored with a day in the car touring things.  Besides he missed his new friends, Carson and Cole.

Here's an actual shot of the falls.  It's odd because it's in the middle of a long flat drive, you wouldn't expect theire to be any sort of water fall in the area.

Frank and Rhonda enjoying the view.

Carson, Cole and Nate hanging out.  Carson and Cole are Rhonda's grand kids.  Nate enjoyed hanging out with them and playing the whole time we were in Seattle.

Nate even got to go on his first real fishing trip

The boys sitting calmly trying to catch something, alas no luck.

We had a great time, can't wait to make it back.  Frank and Rhonda were great hosts.  While there was much more nostalgia for Maria I had a fun time.  It was nice to relax and get away for awhile.