The Obviously Exhausting Sport of Bowling

But first: This morning I went for a walk.

Looked over a bridge.

Looked over the other side.

Took a pic of this old lady.

And now, our story.

Our first "kids bowl free" coupons of the summer have arrived! Hubby took the three youngest kids bowling today. What a good daddy.

Don't you point that finger at me.

To bowl properly, one must take advantage of the lounges by
LOUNGING on them

A wonderful time was had by all. :) 

Long Beach and Astoria Day

But first: our new microwave! Dad noticed our microwave-less state and took pity on us this morning. We took off early for Walmart and found this lovely item.

It's red and that's all that matters

Rosalind's fourth grade "big" field trip happened today. Brian took the day off and joined her. They rode the school bus to Astoria and visited Fort Clatsop and learned all about Lewis and Clark.

Have fun Rozzie! Be safe :)

Meanwhile, Dad, Neenaw and I took a day trip to Long Beach. They hadn't seen the beach in a long time and Dad wanted some crispies from the local bakery. The weather was beautiful and it was a great drive.

First we had lunch at Dooger's, which was good. Eat at Dooger's!

Saw this sign in a shop window... I see a future cross stitch project happening here.

Ha. Hahahaha. HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA

We procured our pastries from the oh-so-pleasant women at the bakery (snort) and browsed the shops along that one street in Long Beach that has shops. Dad wanted to find part of his gift for Bella's graduation but no luck. We still had a good time.

Then we drove around and up the hill to Beards Hollow viewpoint. Just absolutely gorgeous.

We eventually made our way across the Astoria-Megler Bridge to Astoria, drove to Rainier and Longview, and then home. Brian and Rosalind had already come and gone to soccer practice.

Later Ernie came over and joined us for dinner at Shari's. So glad he'll be sticking around Portland for a while and was able to see Dad and Neenaw while they were here.

Business

Just another fun, busy Saturday.

Carson spent the night with Carter last night

Bella worked on her Food and Fitness cooking projects. She had to make several foods, clean up, have taste-testing and critiquing done by family members, the whole shmear. We lied and said it was all good (wink, wink). This breakfast casserole was part of her assignment. I didn't have any because of the meat, but Hubby said it was delightful.

So meaty

Bella chows down

We also had our new dishwasher put in. Here's the old cruddy dishwasher that actually dirtied the dishes - they came out with more muck on them than they had when we put them in... not the kind of solid performance you'd hope for from a dishwasher.

See ya

Rosalind spent some quality outside time practicing her archery skills. She put one arrow all the way through the box and was pretty excited about it.

See, the feathers are poking through

Bullseye!

Feathers, again

Superman ate a pickle.

...while standing in his mom's room,
wearing a sweatshirt.
It was sour.

LATER THAT EVENING...

Roz's Activity Day leaders threw a fun Mad Hatter Merry Un-Birthday party. We were all asked to wear silly hats. Thanks to Grannie, we had several to choose from.

Roz is in the straw hat with black band

Hubby as Captain Jack Sparrow;
me with the Salem hat

Cute girlies

Rozzie and Daddy

Us

Joni G and Missy K of the Primary presidency
(two of my most favorite people ever)

Later, Harrison and Carter played ultimate frisbee with the stake young men, and Bella and I played ultimate Hangman in the Relief Society room with the Laurels in lieu of our scheduled activity, a spa night. I worked more on FrankenBlanket. It was a fun evening.

Happy Saturday 2: Willamette National Cemetery

A couple of years ago, we learned that the Saturday before Memorial Day is a good day to visit our national cemetery. Also, the Farmers Market is open on Saturdays and has gorgeous flowers for sale. Hubby and I made a quick bouquet run in the afternoon, and I cut some flowers from our yard. Then we met Ernie at the cemetery (he's been working on a project in P-town).

Carter getting to work

Carter and Bella

Roz and Carter

Harrison watches

Bella, Brennan, Ernie

Hubby

Me! And flowers from the Farmers Market.
And Brennan's legs.

Gran

Poppy and Grandma Keithler (Ernie's camera)

Grandma Keithler's sister Rose and her husband Kenneth Austin

This is our cousin Gwenda Knutson's husband.
Gwenda was the daughter of Edith Eldred (Wilson) (Hull) Layton,
and Edith was Grandma Keithler's first cousin on her Clark side.
Not confusing at all, is it. Neenaw says his nickname was "Swede".

 Some shots Hubby took near Swede's grave... it was a beautiful evening.

After we visited everyone that we had time and flowers for (Aunt Marguerite's husband Uncle Ralph and a cousin of Grandpa Carl's are also buried here), we went home for dinner and games. It was fun to have Ernie come over. 

Ernie is good at this Wii bowling stuff

Roz loved playing with him.

A very happy evening, indeed.