VHPA 2013 Alcatraz

Even though I lived only an hour away for 5 years, I never made it to Alcatraz.  When the VHPA reunion had a trip, it was pretty hard to pass it up.

Of course, the history is fascinating.  From the prison to the indian takeover

But I really found the beauty amazing

Much of this is gardens tended by some dedicated folk

But a lot of it is reverted to wild

And the birds!

Man is it pretty!

Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Reunion 2013 San Francisco

This summer we got to join Dad at the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots reunion.  It was in San Francisco this year.  It was so much fun to spend this time with Dad and Keith.  And such an honor to be with Dad at this event.

Eric and I scored with the room.  We were up on the 42nd floor.  The view was amazing.  But we were kind of silly and took the stairs down because I am not a lover of elevators.  The rest of the week was spent walking around, and man oh man did I regret that.

Trippy picture though

Keith in the city

Eric and I walked to the pier and back.  Fun day.

We walked the golden gate bridge.  That was a very cold wind.

Here's the view from our room.  Man it was cool to watch the fog roll in.  and out.  and in.

Sunset cruise on the 4th of July

Once the sun set, there was the neatest fireworks show I've ever seen.  Not necessarily the show itself, but being on the boat, so close and nothing between us and the fireworks. 

I couldn't get the video to post, not that you really wanted to watch a video of fireworks.

The last night of the reunion is a formal banquet.  It was fun to see everyone all dressed up.

Visiting Gma

Eric and Keith and I joined Dad at the VHPA reunion this year and it was in San Francisco.  The great part about that was all the family we were able to see.  We got to spend the afternoon with Grandma, then the evening with Krista and Corinne.  It was so much fun.  

House update

In the midst of all our travels this summer, things are slowly getting done on the house.  

Kitchen countertops

We ended up going with granite, not our favorite environmental choice, but the most economic and long lasting.

 Ceder on the master bath wall.  it feels like a sauna

Holie's visit

Holie came back to Oregon for a visit and it was so much fun to see her again!  I do miss that girl and I am proud of her for surviving in the big city.  Go Holie!

Holie, Katherine and I

John and Holie and I took the girls to Gale's Creek.  Holie scrunched herself up into the tiny space between the carseats, that is serious dedication. 

Isabella is a great little budding scientist.

It's a pretty place

Ali is such a charmer!

A kitchen!

Cabinets are installed!  Well, the kitchen and bathroom ones at least.  That's what our kitchen will look like space wise.

Traffic in Milwaukie

Classes Spring 2013

This is my UP Env 182 class.  My last for a while as they are hiring a new full time instructor and so part timers are out.  This was the best class.  So interested and engaged, even if they didn't laugh at my jokes.  Oddly enough, lots of the comments in my reviews said I was funny.  But I think they found my scrambling after no one laughed the most amusing.  We've actually been done for a month, but I am that far behind with posting if you can't tell.

 My B213 Cascade class.  I had them for lab, but then their lecture instructor had to have a baby, so I'm teaching the last section of lecture.  They are a really fun and engaging group!

 B212 lecture Cascade

They survived.  Nice group, the ones who showed up to class.

I've got one more, the best B101 ever

Dog stuff

Sam in a quiet moment with Eric.  He's getting really really big.

 Rin tired after a long hike

 and cuddly Rin

Row of cuteness

Table's in the house...

Not done and put together, but all the pieces are in the house.  

Here's the base.  Its being used as the work table now with some plywood on top.

 Here's the top.  I am doing some final sanding and then will finish it when I can clean up the room and close it off from all the dust.