Blogging in Bellingham

Preparing For Preschool

2007-09-16T21:24:00.000-07:00

Night before Thomas starts to preschool
One of the books of the night: My First Day Of Preschool

Playtime before school..... "This is one crowded highway!"

Once Thomas saw the camera, he started saying cheese...
HereThomas is giving Jackson instructions to say "cheese"!

Thomas and Jackson lovin' it up before Thomas leaves for school for the first time

Dad Jim sharing a laugh at "shoe time"

Jackson (4) and I got to have a "Grammy and Me Day" since his PreK class didn't start until the next day. He's an old hand at preschool, moving into the PreK class for the first time this year.

We played this great game, Zingo, baked blackberry crumble dessert, had French Toast, and enjoyed a beautiful day!

Good Byes To Bellingham

2007-09-15T18:11:00.001-07:00

Lori Byerlin, a great neighbor and friend, working on the fish tacos for a delicious dinner!

Elizabeth giving Lori a hand

Blackberry picking with Thomas and Jackson....notice the very purple faces!!!

The best we could do for a full family photo!!
Amy, Maxwell, Suzanne, Elizabeth, Jackson, Jim and Thomas

A beautiful sunset from Alabama Hill neighborhood where my daughters both live. Look carefully and you'll see Bellingham Bay in the distance.

Maxwell's First Kayaking Adventure

2007-09-04T13:49:00.001-07:00

My grandson Maxwell had a rough start to life on June 22, 2005. He was born prematurely with a genetic syndrome called CHARGE. His first six months were in Seattle Children's Hospital with several surgeries including open heart surgery. For more about his challenging and joyous journey, check out the Mighty Max Blog.

He is an amazing little boy, learning something new everyday! I loved being with him this summer and seeing all his new accomplishments.

He enjoyed his first time out in the water. He was so relaxed that near the end of the paddle, he fell asleep (as you'll see in one of the photos).
In this photo are Thomas, Jackson, and Maxwell
before going out in the kayaks.

Jim and Elizabeth get the three-man kayak into the water

Maxwell with Mama Amy, Cousin Thomas, and Uncle Jim

Meeting up with Aunt Elizabeth and Cousin Jackson

Aunt Elizabeth and Cousin Jackson

Uncle Jim, Mama Amy, and Maxwell asleep

Sweet kisses for Maxwell from Mama Amy

Simple Things

2007-08-25T17:03:00.001-07:00

Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.
- Henry David Thoreau

Nothing is more simple than greatness, to be simple is to be great.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Some parents think that children need sophisticated activities, toys, and trips. Sometimes it's the simple things that bring the most joy to them. Here is Thomas at Squalicum Harbor during a simple walk we took there. Below are more photos of simple moments witnessed during my summer in Bellingham, WA.

What simple things could you add to your life that take very little time and money and could bring you peace and joy?

Thomas digging the bark in the park

Maxwell at the park

Maxwell in the swing at the park

Joy of Jackson's life, the dinosaurs!

Train time for Thomas on the porch

Gulf Beach

2007-08-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

Nature Beats The Newest Exercise Equipment!

Suzanne with grandsons
Jackson and Thomas

More rocks than I've ever seen on one beach!
This morning my son-in-law Jim and my two grandsons and I took a walk on Gulf Beach near Bellingham. Some sections of the beach had big rocks, some very small, and some medium size. Depending on the actions of the surf, the smooth rocks had eroded accordingly.

Walking a long distance on the uneven rocks is quite strenuous exercise. It reminded me of the new exercise technique used by some celebrities that has you walk on a machine that is constantly moving to throw you off balance. You have to use your core and many muscles to steady yourself constantly. The walk on the beach was certainly a full body workout!

Physical exercise has a significant effect on our brains. With the growing incidence of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, it's wise to work your body now to keep the
connections in the brain growing and thriving.

Check out the article on exercise on the Exuberant Productivity|Healthy Bottom Line blog

Seneca

Cool teepee on the beach

Great rest stop!

Some pretty beach flowers

Son-in-law Jim loaded up with Jackson on shoulders and Thomas in backpack

Wild blackberries starting to ripen

NORTHWEST WASHINGTON FAIR!

2007-08-16T11:45:00.001-07:00

Grandson Jackson (4) studying the map of the fair and pointing out the various places we should visit

Van loaded up with three kids in car seats and four adults

We're ready to get started on our fair adventure!

First time for Jackson to go on a ride all by himself!

Elizabeth with Jackson and Thomas ready to fly the plane!

Hmmmm....these are interesting french fries! (curly fries)
Maxwell (2)

A great, furry ewe

Thomas (2) in the goat pen

(One of the 4-H girls invited him in to play with her goats...pretty special!!)

Snooze time

Guess it's good to the last crumb!

Oh, the joy of being on a tractor!

What a way to end the fair - Funnel Cake with powdered sugar!

Raspberry and Blueberry Picking

2007-08-07T16:15:00.000-07:00

Raspberry and Blueberry Picking

One of the best treats while I was growing up was picking raspberries from my Nana's raspberry patch. That's probably why it is something I LOVE to do now.

My twin daughters and I went on Saturday morning With raspberry season nearly over, the berries were super ripe and delicious, but very perishable.

Blueberry bushes were loaded with fruit and easy to pick. We've enjoyed them just plain, in yogurt parfaits, on cereal, and....in blueberry crisp!

My daughter Amy picking blueberries

My daughter Elizabeth is filling her bucket with blueberries.
Yes, Elizabeth and Amy are twins!

Blueberries were thick on the vine!

Amy and Suzanne with the raspberries and three flats of blueberries

Weighing station for all the pickers!

Gorgeous onions in their market....shiny and colorful!

Hike To Little Squalicum Beach

2007-08-05T15:22:00.000-07:00

After hiking through a wooded area lush with tall trees, we arrive at the water.....
such a peaceful sight.

Fun time for the dogs, the kids, and all of the adults as well!

There's nothing better than water to calm my soul...
What works for you?

Maxwell looking cute in his shades.

Thomas...

Amy and Maxwell building with twigs

Elizabeth and Jackson working with the rocks

Jackson enjoying the rocks and water

Beautiful driftwood

Jim loaded up with Thomas, Maxwell and Jackson

Kayaking Adventure

2007-07-21T17:14:00.001-07:00

The gentle sound of the paddle meeting the water.

Calls of birds and ducks in the air...

Perhaps a sea lion poking his head above the water...

What a joy to be on the water in a kayak!

How wonderful to be so close to the water and almost at eye level with any sea life!

Every kayak adventure is different. There can be the thrill of going over swells.
There can be glass-like stillness.

In Washington state there are so many opportunities to see the orange, purple, or beige starfish. These are more accurately called sea stars. Growing up and vacationing on the East Coast the only sea stars I had seen prior to being in Washington were beige.

When I am in the sea environment, I access peace more consistently than anywhere else I can be.

Where do you find peace? When the stress of life starts to get to you, what helps you to get centered and restored to a solid, healthy place?

Dad Jim getting Jackson into his safety jacket.

Elizabeth preparing for the kayak with Thomas

Elizabeth and Thomas

Thomas is trying out paddling his way

Jim, Elizabeth, Thomas and Jackson

Sledriding on the 4th of July, Mount Baker, WA

2007-07-14T23:10:00.000-07:00

Oh the joy of flying down a hillside on a sled! As Jackson and I got ourselves arranged on the sled at the top of the hill, I asked myself if this was such a good idea. This was a different kind of sled from what we used in the old days. Did I even remember how this was done?

I've skied fairly recently, but haven't done any sled riding for many years. My four-year-old grandson deserved to come out of this experience without me piled on top of him! As we started down the hill at quite a rapid pace, many memories of fun times in the snow came to mind. I remember our Doberman Pinscher chasing us down the hill and just occasionally trying to "save" us by nabbing some part of our clothes!

Jackson and I had a great, exhilarating ride!....and on the 4th of July? That's a first for me!

How many times have you been at the point of making a decision before letting it all go?
Have there been times that your hesitation has kept you from a great experience or business opportunity?

Elizabeth and Jackson speeding down the hill!

Here comes a snowball!

Amy and Maxwell take a turn

Jackson and his dad head up the hill

Thomas gets a ride with his mom, Elizabeth.

Story time

Oh the fun of playing in puddles!

Treehugger

Amy with Maxwell in the backpack

Lunch by the lake
My hiking boots in the foreground and yes, Jackson had been in the frigid water ( very briefly and only up to his calves). He thought it would be great to swim here. Thomas is in the center and Maxwell to the right.

Strawberry Picking

2007-07-13T19:13:00.000-07:00

What's more fun than picking fruit and eating it as you go along????
Strawberry picking at Boxx Farm was amazing. You can see snowy Mount Baker in the background and huge fields full of strawberries. All of the three boys enjoyed picking although not many unsmashed berries remained in their buckets.
There's something very special about eating what you have picked yourself.

Amy and Maxwell picking strawberries and playing the put them in the bucket, take them out of the bucket game!

Suzanne with her bucket filling up.

Jackson and Thomas with strawberry faces.

Here's one for you!

Amy and Maxwell with one strawberry face!!

Thomas, Jim, Elizabeth and Jackson

Hiking June 29

2007-07-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

For me, getting out in nature is always restorative. And to be in the midst of the awesome beauty of the Northwest and feeling the refreshingly cool air is such an incredible experience.

After pondering Hiking the North Cascades by Dr. Fred T. Darvill, Jr, my son-in-law and I decided to head out with his sons, Jackson (4) and Thomas (almost 2) and a neighbor, Hannah. Our destination was Hannegan Pass and Peak, the nearest access to North Cascades National Park from Bellingham.

What amazing sights! Snowy hillsides, waterfalls, and a bit of fog from the rainy day. Up there the temps were in the 40's.

Below are some photos of the day....
Click any of them to see an enlarged view.

Are we there yet?

Thomas checking out the Park Pass

Snowy peaks

Fog over the peaks

Suzanne

Jackson, Jim, and Thomas

Hannah

Nooksack Falls

The hikers