Hail, Hail, the Pioneer Pack!

This past weekend we spent with my college girlfriends and our ever-growing families. It was a great time to visit and catch-up and we are looking forward to the next gathering on 9.9.12 at Amy and Matt's wedding!

Here we are, distinguished Linfield alumni!

And here's the growing group. We were missing one other kiddo, Connor; Anna's hubby, Mike; and the illusive Heidi.

Mitch didn't get much rest on Saturday, but he enjoyed being at the lake. Check out the sleepy flushed cheeks!

Alisa and Ben are expecting their first kiddo on October 1st. She will be another happy addition to the second generation of the Pioneer Pack (and our Proxies).

He loved swimming with the crew, and especially Nina. He figured out how to splash and was delighted to get reactions.Sierra's house had a trampoline and Mitch loved to jump with anyone who would get him high in the air. Such glee!

Sierra and Erdem made the trip out from Massachusetts and we all got to meet baby Leyla. When Jayme gets her pictures posted, I'll steal the sweet one of Mitch giving the baby a kiss and post it here.

Dat Mine!

He's not 2 just yet, but he behaves like he is!

A favorite pastime is bouncing on stomachs - preferably following a meal. Grampa was the "beneficiary" of this attention multiple times and we nearly saw his dinner twice. Mitch thinks it's wonderful!
Swinging with Great Grampa Pobst was a hit.

Could this cute little face really be devious? Um, yes.

Backyard Babe

Mitch loves being outside. He likes to escape out the front door (which must be kept locked) as he loves to dash across the street and prematurely age his parents. However, the backyard is a pretty fun place, too.

He has learned how to work the hose and takes every opportunity to spray the flowers, the house, the windows, the tree, Poly and he even tries to get his parents. He's not so excited when he gets himself.

The wading pool is also fun. He likes to put things in it, including his lawn mower.
Gotta protect that fair skin! Who cares if it's his mom's hat?

Cannon Beach

We spent the last week at Cannon Beach with Bryan's family.
As per usual, Mitch glommed on to his grandpa first and foremost.
He's a grandpas' boy, for sure!

A lovely sunset evening with the crew.
I spent the first few days in Salem with Russ and Laci following my brother's impromptu surgery. One morning Mitch called me up and we had a casual chat. Good to know he still remembered me even with Buzz to distract him!

The Johnson Family won the sand castle competition with a baseball field complete with fans, teams, dugouts, advertisement signs and a play on words. "In the Big Inning" was a clever reference to Genesis 1 and won the judges over.

Mitch went in the water in his clothes and got to look like an Ewok in my sweatshirt afterward.

Rex the dinosaur chases and bites its victims, much to Mitchell's delight.

My sweetie and me at the Ecola State Park overlook.

Mitch and his cousins loved the starfish at low tide.

We had a lovely week on the coast and enjoyed time with the family. Now we're home and happy to be back in the sunshine and warm weather!

The End is Here

Yep, I am this ridiculous. How I've loved Harry.
Now I must wait until Mitch gets older . . .

Summertime

Summer is here and it's warm and wonderful!

Mitch is embracing summer activities like eating corn on the cob . . .

. . . and helping to wash the car!
We're headed to the Oregon Coast for a few days and will likely have much cooler temperatures. Should be fun!

Alaska 2011

Over the last week plus, Bryan, Mitchell and I joined my Dad at the cabin in Petersburg, AK. Mom was unable to join us, but she provided a good connection to Russ post-surgery and his forward progress. Below are lots of photos of our trip. Mitch LOVED being at the cabin. He loved being free to run around, play with doors, decoy ducks, ride in boats, wear boots in the mud, have special seats, even his life jacket was a hit. He learned lots of new words while there and we had a really nice time. As soon as we left, Mitch started asking where his Papa was and he is still wondering . . .

Here we are in town at the docks. Yep, this is our dress-up-nicely-for-town look.

On the beach at the cabin with the fearless neighbors.

Mitch delighted in stomping on kelp and making it pop.


Grampa bought him his own deck chair and he joined the guys for drinks.

His life jacket was designed by my Dad, who included a rope with a buoy so I could have him by a leash. I convinced Mitch it was a monkey tail and he was a big fan of it.

The three guys in their boots and rain coats.

The guys riding the skiff out to set crab pots. Once Dad and Bryan tried to make a quick run, but Mitch refused to be left behind and insisted on joining them.
Mitch loved Dad's big boat. He "helped" drive to town one day and thought he was king.


Bryan and Dad went out for halibut and had a sunny, successful outing.

Getting a ride from Grampa after cleaning up one of the many piles of wood generated from the massive tree felling this fall.

This face says it all. This was one thrilled child who is going to love the cabin for years to come!