Lava Canyon

After the Lava Tube Caves, we drove another 10 miles closer to the Mt. and went on a great hike through Lava Canyon. After the last blast of Mt. St. Helens, much of this canyon was uncovered and now you can see lava from millions of years ago. Pretty cool place, although scary. There was a suspension bridge that goes over the canyon and with rushing water below. Once again, Carson and Sharon went right over it. I only made it half way, took some pictures, then came back. Really scary. Sam wasn't up for it and truthfully, I probably couldn't have watched him walk over it.

Mt. St. Helens and the Ape Caves

The lava caves at Mt. St. Helens are among the longest lava caves in the world. Carson and Sharon went down the lower caves and then back. They were in for about an hour. It is 42 degrees all year round. Carson had her headlamp that gma judy got her a few years ago and they had a big flashlight. Sam was too scared so i gladly went on a hike with him ABOVE ground.

Mushrooms At Mt. St. Helens

I will not bore you with all my mushroom photos. We took a trip to Mt. St. Helens and while Sharon and Carson went through the spooky underground lava tube caves, Sam and I went for a hike and found the most amazing mushrooms. Here are some cool ones. Now, I must have a field guide to mushrooms in the PNW.

"Nobody will recognize me"

Sam's swimming lesson- take 2

Sam started swimming lessons on Tuesday. He stood by the pool and refused to get in for 25 minutes and then finally joined his Goldfish beginners group only to have the whistle blow 5 minutes later. He was ready yesterday. He jumped right in and had more fun than anyone else.

Spiced applesauce

I did it! I made my own applesauce from apples we picked! what the hell has happened to me?

Hood River and Beacon Rock

It was a gorgeous fall Oregon day and we drove to Hood River in the Gorge. We went to an organic apple orchard to pick apples with Sam's preschool. We ended up with 20 pounds of cool, crisp, red, Gala apples. I hope to make some apple sauce just like Grandma Eloise used to make. We ran into a friend of mine from work and her 2 year old and new baby and Sam's friend Manu was there.
On the drive home we decided to drive back on the Washington side of the Columbia River through the Gorge. We stopped at a state park called Beacon Rock and started on a hike. Little did we know that in an hour we would be standing on top of the world. About a million switch-backs and 850 feet of climbing put us WAY above the Columbia and the tree line. The trail itself was kind of scary, but the view was amazing.

Fall Day at the Zoo

Sam and I called it Hat Day and went to the zoo for the afternoon. The big cat exhibit was open and the tigers were sly. The sea lions were showing off for us underground. Sam got to make some Oragami which was cool because Carson is usually showing off her Japanese folding skills. He made a Bear Face Mask and wore it around until he fell down the steps.

Spooky Composer

Carson's piano assignment this week is to compose a spooky song. I thought this sounded like a ridiculously hard assignment, but she has been practicing. I am pretty sure Grandma must have helped her on this one last night because here is the first half of her song..... She is quite proud....

The alien in my life.

My favorite alien was playing with my photo booth on my computer and this is what he left me. This same little alien was in the back yard today with the neighbors and "someone" convinced him to eat a thai chili pepper. There were tears, snot, screaming, and some flaming pink chapped looking lips. Poor little alien.

today's food cart menu

Sharon and I met today for lunch at the carts. Japanese Samurai and Addy's Sandwich Cart. Yes, that is tuna salad with sliced hard boiled eggs on perfect crispy baguette. YUM!

Those smiles are all fake!!!!

Finally made it to see the Vaux's Swifts at Chapman Elementary. We watched THOUSANDS of the little birds funnel into the school chimney while we were sitting on the HARD HARD ground. We kept thinking the last of them had surely come when another huge group would fly in. Finally, at the very end, the Cooper's Hawk swooped in for a kill. Sam asked....."Why would a bird eat a bird"? Which I thought was a very good question. I have a bunch of pictures of the "serious" Dodys, and then came across this one. I think you were faking for me. Did you drink the smile juice or something?

"Swifts are insect eating birds that migrate south each fall. At sunset during migration they choose a place where dozens to thousands of birds can roost. Since the late 1980’s the Chapman chimney has been one of these roosting sites".

Corn De-cobber

We started off today with a great idea to go to Milwaukie (OR) and eat breakfast at Bob's Mill store and restaurant then go to Dave's Killer Seed Bread store. I had BOGO coupons for the Dave's Bread store and breakfast. We got lost driving there and then found it 1/2 hour before they opened. So we waited. Turns out Dave's was BOGO anyway today so I got four loaves of bread. Of course, I read the hours for Bob's wrong and they were closed........Came back to Portland for lunch on Hawthorne at the old stand-by. Shopped for produce and spices at Sheridan Fruit Company and then home to cook a yummy dinner (actually, Sharon is cooking). She is making a yummy looking roasted corn, onion, and chili salad and veggie pesto BLTs. Conveniently, SOMEONE gave me a corn de-cobber for just this occasion.

Move over Lyle Lovett

Sam and his new cowboy boots. Don't you remember how you loved to listen to yourself click clack in your new shoes? Sam has never had any shoes that make that noise.....until now.

only in portland

ok, so I should write about the lovely evening we had watching the symphony at the riverfront park, the perfect weather, the loud canons booming at the end of the 1812 Overture......but, i want to show the picture of this Portlander.
This is true Portland grit. This guy with his mohawk, blue nails, tattoos, and overall scary got attire was laying on a blanket knitting.......

Big Second Grader!

And she is off! The first day of second grade started with much excitement. Carson is excited to have three of her best friends in her class this year. She decided to wear a skirt instead of her favorite jeans. Here she is in front of her school, Richmond Elementary. We have a new principal this year and I met a part time art teacher this morning which is new also. Last year parents ran the library and there were no official music or art classes. Sounds like we have both this year.

Dibs.

Ok, ok, ok. So I know I am not really in the distinguished Monninger blood line, but I am calling Dibs anyway. Well, when I caught a glimpse of this amazing tin "wood grain" picnic basket with a small circle of vent holes on one side and wooden handles coming towards me at the symphony last week, I got a little woozy. It is the perfect example of another time where the food wasn't super sized and sandwiches were stacked for a picnic into perfect little towers. When I noticed that the tin was being carried by my favorite in-laws, then I knew I was "In like Flynn". The inside is even monogrammed by the original owner, Nina. So, sorry Lenora, Jeff, and even Sharon. You can have all your parents' valuable jewels and heirlooms, I am calling Dibs on the tin.