palling around with pocahontas

We flew out from PDX to Virginia for some time with my dad, and brought the kids to Jamestown.  It has changed a bunch from when I used to visit in grade school, since they found out that the fort was actually not underwater as we were taught in the 80's.  We enjoyed walking the site and learning about the current archeological findings.  Thunderstorms cut short the visit to the glass makers.  Owen and Richard went back out to Williamsburg the next day where they enjoyed learning about the colonials but also ate lots of ice cream.
Ben's major discovery of the trip was ham sandwiches, which he asked to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.   We enjoyed swimming in the river and the marina pool, boat rides with some fishing, and canoe rides, and just hanging out with my dad and watching the amazing Rappahannock sunset.

rhymes with orange belt

Ben practiced so hard and earned his Orange Belt at the start of the summer.  It wasn't an easy hurdle- he had to come back to get his red tip after reviewing a few moves.  The belt testing was a fun evening- at least for those of us watching.  They stayed in a horse stance for what seemed like forever.  Ben looked great- he went through all of his forms crisply.

summer rituals

Summer's first ritual is the annual camping trip at Champoeg State Park.  We enjoyed the bike ride to the museum and ice cream.  Owen and Richard worked through the orienteering challenge.

Amelia came back to spend her last summer with the boys and all were thrilled to be back together.

canoe camp

Owen and Richard's first canoe camping trip of the summer went from Harrisburg to Corvallis on a nice trip down the Willamette.  They found a new camping site, across the river from where they were last year.  Owen was thrilled to eat Subway for lunch on the river, and they both shared a large bag of oranges.  They enjoyed sitting in the river at the campsite after a long day of canoeing.

ben geared up for battle

Ben's school year finished with the Zion Carnival, where Ben learned about the joys of jousting.  He remains an undefeated champion, though his career ended short due to an untimely nose bleed.  

Ben and Sterling finished out a successful season of AA League Little League on the Angels team.  Ben battled hay fever, occasional sunshine in the eye, and even some boredom, but came through the season with better hitting, catching and throwing skills.  He continued to enjoy the catcher position through the season.