the gorge with george

Grandpa came out to visit for Memorial Day weekend, and we went with the Muhly's to the Columbia Gorge.  We did some familiar things for all of us- like the Multnomah Falls, and explored new areas including the Gorge Museum in The Dalles and the Maryhill Museum and Washington's Stonehenge on the other side of the river.  We were able to join up with a tour of the Bonneville Dam- also a first for us.

new bike!

Owen continues to grow, and outgrew his bike.  This new bike is full size and he is fast on it!

closing out the scouting year

The local scouting community put together an event at Central Park, which Richard and Owen hosted a rocket launch booth.  We all enjoyed walking the ropes the boy scouts had set up, and Ben joined in with the karate class.  

Richard led his pack through the Arrow of Light ceremony which marked the end of the scouting season, and the end of Cub Scouts for two in the pack.  He did a great job with the ceremony, as he did with the pack all year keeping the boys engaged.

salem, oregon

Owen's 4th grade class, led by his teacher Mr. Walz, took an end of year trip to Oregon's State Capitol in Salem.  We got a great tour of the two houses, and got to walk to the top of the building where the statue sits.  Owen had to correct the tour guide on a few of the historical points.  A highlight was the governor's office, where we all got a chance to sit behind the big (ceremonial) desk.  We had a fun day with a picnic outside at a park, and a nice walk around the grounds.

tortoise house

Our lucky Russian Tortoises, Torts and Tortoise Explorer, got built a beautiful "turtle house" by Richard with some assist from the boys.  He built it out of red oak, lined in plastic.  We love the design he made, and the tortoises have lots of room to walk around, eat, and most importantly bury themselves in mulch.    On warm enough days, the tortoises enjoy walking in the yard.  They mostly look for places to bury or for leaves to eat.

renaissance boy

Some of Ben's less active pursuits.  He still enjoys painting, drawing and crafting.  For Mother's Day, he made me a lovely portrait and listed what he loves about me (says on the back "becase she is prety").  Ben came home with this lovely poem that he wrote and I treasure.

5k hurray

We did our first family 5K with "Take 5"- an organization for supporting cancer survivors and their families.  We walked with Sundar and Kat from HP, along with other colleagues and friends.  Ben was determined to run it, so he and Richard took off at the starting line (and Owen and I waited for them at the finish line).  Was a beautiful spring day and a nice walk/jog by Bald Hill.