Swimsuit Friends

Happy Birthday Max!

Who wouldn't like a birthday where you get a couple of your wishlist toys, go swimming and jumping off the high diveboard, and then go home and have pizza, soda, and Kirby cake with ice cream.

Max sure had himself a good day. Hope you did too!

A Buzz with Activity

It's the big middle guy's birthday tomorrow and all is a buzz in the house. Max turns 11 and he's ready to tackle a new Lego set (Republic Attack Shuttle for you enthusiasts-- http://starwars.lego.com/en-us/products/clonewars/8019.aspx ). He's also planning a attack on a chocolate cake version of Kirby, one of his favorite video game characters --

Come back tomorrow and see his creations and pics of the birthday boy having fun.

Going No Where Fast

It's Lewis and Clark Huni trying to make their way across Suttle Lake....where many have boldly gone before.

Today, we were visited by our financial advisor. His purpose in stopping by was to tell us how wonderful things were in the world...or rather how soon they would be getting better. We're learning alot about the economy...and why we'll never truly get ahead. I guess we should be grateful, our portfolio has gained back some of its lost glory--why do I still feel though like it's a robbery in progress. Guess until we really benefit from our discipline in saving, I feel like we're subsidizing the existence of those who never gave a thought to saving.

On a lighter note, we did enjoy an afternoon of American freedom on the shores and waters of Suttle Lake. We had fun launching log torpedoes at one another and cruising around the lake in the kayak. In fact, the kayak is still on top of the van hoping for another outing somewhere in paradise tomorrow. We may be relatively poor in some ways, but we are rich in what truly matters. Here's hoping you find some of that wealth wherever you are.

Black Butte 2 Fire

From Black Butte Climb

Click the above picture to see Black Butte on fire...started by lightning in the wee hours today. Per local news, about 300 acres are burning. The burn area looks to be below the trail we went up about 8 days ago.

Just call her Professor

In other news, Julia has started working again. She's now the one of the newest part-time faculty members at Central Oregon Community College. She's teaching Computer Concepts, a 100-level class that is required for graduation. She spent the last two weeks teaching hardware and software concepts, and has now launched into Key Applications--which in this Microsoft-controlled world means teaching Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access. After that, she'll do a unit called Living On-line. She's teaching two sections of the class back-to-back, which means she's in Bend all day on Mondays and Wednesdays until mid-August. Not to mention the hours of lesson-planning and assignment grading from home. There go our dreams of a huge summer RV trip...but it's nice to have the extra income.