Halloween Fun

This weekend we took a trip to the Country Mercantile for some fall fun. It was a cold and windy day and included some sprinkles, but that didn't stop us. It was great family fun and we made some good memories. We then came home to a cup of hot cocoa to warm our bodies and later to a bowl of yummy chili and corn bread. Grandma Susan and Papa Mike were able to join us and help the kids decorate their pumpkins with her artistic abilities!

Want to dance?

Try not to move your head to the beat of this video, or laugh.


LINK

A video to share

As a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, I felt that the video below sums up what we do.

A quick note about most of the photographs though. The photos are done by Q Madp, and I don't know who made the video. You can visit Q's site at the following address: www.iraqwarheroes.org Q makes several trips a month to different services, on his OWN dime, to capture the PGR and services of our fallen soldiers. He takes those hundreds of photos, puts them onto a CD and then gives that CD to the family. Some of his photos, the ones which he deems not too private or intimate, are then published on his site. He accepts donations such as fuel, coffee cards, food certificates, etc. His work for the families is priceless.

Neal

A soldier comes home

Today, a soldier arrived home at the Tri-Cities regional airport.

We were blessed with perfect weather, 60 degrees! The smell of autumn filled our noses, the taste of change tickled our tongues. A mild wind blowing from the west as we waited for his private jet. Just beyond the cold galvanized gate, we stood and waited. Quietly the world hushed as the engines spooled down. Noises of the rail yard muted, I don't know how or why. The flags all fluttered, popping occasionally in salute to our soon deplaned soldier. Honor kept us warm.

Today, a soldier rode from Pasco, through Richland, past Benton City, Prosser, Grandview and finally to Sunnyside.

Today, over 100 motorcycles, 10 cages, and a various number of Law Enforcement vehicles escorted a soldier, his mother, his father, siblings and relatives home.

On this ride home, regular folks gathered with flags to wave him on by. A seaman stood at the corner and saluted the caravan. Mothers and fathers, boys and girls stood silently by as we motored past. Cars pulled off the highway, and some that drove by saluted. Overpasses had people, most with flags, waving as we passed underneath. Life moved in slow-motion as we pulled into Sunnyside. People stopped, waited, waved, cried.

We stopped, and the riders dismounted their steel horses and again silence befell the earth. Only the noises of birds and wind carried through the air.

Today a soldier arrived home for his last time.

Fire aftermath

As you see, the fire was rather devestating to the north face of Rattlesnake Mountain. Not the first time that a fire has burned this area, nor will it be the last I'm sure. Still it will be interesting to see the new life that springs up here post fire. I also am interested to see how the Yakima elk herd will winter here now.

~N

Rattlesnake Mountain/ Hanford Area Fire

Okay, so the photo doesn't look like much, I'll explain.

What you are seeing from a window in our house is a fire that is currently burning on the Arid Land Ecological Reserve. This is on the Hanford Reservation, west of the Tri-Cities.

This is not exactly close, maybe 20 miles away as the birds fly. I saw the fire near the beginnings, around 3:30 today. Since then, the wind has really pushed it along and whipped it up to a frenzy.

Also, here is a link from Google to show the satellite view. It really is sad and impressive at the same time.

~N

Summer is moving by

We have watched July scream past, and August steaming by at full speed ahead, where has the summer gone?

Carlee was able to spend a few days at a summer camp outside of Dayton. This was her first such camp and she seemed to have really enjoyed it.

Julie and I traveled to Vancouver for a hot rod cruise in at Glenwood Church, this is the 6th year of it and 180 cars were there. The following day, we picked up Alexis to come back to our place for a couple of weeks. Austin would have, but he was leaving Monday for a rafting trip down the Salmon River in Idaho. We picked him up in Pomeroy, WA on that following Friday to join our family camping trip, read below...

Just returning from a weekend camping trip at Central Ferry State Park. A scenic place on the Snake River. We looked forward to swimming but the "swimming area" was not what we had hoped. Our first impression was set by the "Caution-Rattle Snakes" sign upon entering the campground. A quick speech to the kids about what not to do, and where not to go covered that. We enjoyed some reading, board games, typical camping meals of hot-dogs and chili, and late evenings. Sunday, during the camping trip was Julie's 31st birthday. We celebrated it the night before when her folks came out with a cake and ice cream. I asked her if we could go camping on my birthday and her answer was a firm, "No." Sunday night was also the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, this was a fun time for the kids and us. While sitting in our chairs starring up, we watched the space station scoot overhead, along with a dozen other satellites throughout the night. All in all a fun time.

Soon summer break will end for the kids, although Carlee has one more "adventure" before school starts. She has, throughout this year and prior years, had several bouts of strep-throat. The doctors have said that the removal of her tonsils will help this. So on the 20th, Carlee will get to change her diet to ice cream, Popsicles, and yogurts. Nothing beats closing out summer with a surgery...

~N