October 2013

Kindergarten soccer

Karate class

Lithia Park in Ashland, Or.

Picking out pumpkins at Seven Oaks Farm

Playing in the leaves

Halloween night

Chicago

My Mom took my brother and I to Chicago a few weeks ago.  It had been years since the three of us had taken a trip without the rest of the family.  When we were kids, my mom would take us to San Francisco every September to take in the city sights, baseball games, etc.  Now, 25-30 years later, we were back at it.  

Taking in the sights on the river tour.

We couldn't go to Chicago without going to Soldier Field.  It was great to walk through the colonnade on both sides of the stadium. 

We went out to Wrigley Field and took in a Cubs/Braves game.  What a great place to watch a game.

Terry had to see "The Bean".

Dallas/Ft.Worth

We stayed with Roger and Sylvia in Dallas a few weeks ago.  We started off the trip by going to see "America's Team", the Dallas Cowboys, play the New York Giants.  It was a great game.  Of course, made better by the fact that the Cowboys won. 

A park in downtown Dallas.

Pretty brave when there's glass between the tiger and them.

Ft. Worth Stockyards parade.

Hanging out at midfield.

Redding in August

We went to Redding this weekend to escape the smoke in southwest Oregon.  Here's a couple of pictures of the kids down by the river at Nana's house.

We had a little get together for Aunt Alice.  She will turn 80 on August 25th.

Colton going off Uncle Terry's diving board.

Austin throwing the perfect cannon ball.  Not bad for three years old.

Camping 2013

Colton went back to Lake Oroville again this year.  Nana took him to the annual Slagle/ Stevens outing.  Neither Brandy or I could attend this year due to vacation schedule conflicts.  He had a great time playing with all of the kids. 

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Colton going on his first tube ride.

Evergreen Air and Space Museum

Brandy and the kids went to Portland for a few days.  On the way back, they stopped in Mcminnville and went to the Evergreen Air and Space Museum  www.evergreenmuseum.org.  This is a cool place for kids and adults.  There are multiple planes, helicopters, missiles, rockets, tanks, etc.  The original Spruce Goose is there, as well as an SR-71 Blackbird.  The museum also has an indoor water park that has 10 water slides and a wave pool.  

The Spruce Goose in the background.  This plane was built by Howard Hughes.  It is 219 ft. long nose to tail, and has a 320 ft. wingspan.

Riding at the Ranch

We went to the ranch last weekend to let the kids ride their quads.  Austin was excited, as it was the first time out on his little 50.  He definitely needs to work on throttle control and braking(or lack of).    Colton continues to improve his skill set.  Last year at this time, he was the kid crying that he didn't want to ride by himself.  He needed one of us on the back with him.  

Colton

Brandy, Austin, and Colton

Colton, Nana, and Austin

Austin's ATV

Austin is now ready to join Colton riding ATV's at the ranch.  We found this little KFX 50 that the neighbor girl grew out of.  He was super excited when I rode it to our house from the neighbors. 

Colton and Austin (First Skiing Trip)

Brandy and I took the kid's on their first skiing adventure a couple of weeks ago.  Austin skied between our legs with us holding him up, while Colton had a two hour lesson.  It was supposed to be a group lesson, but there weren't any other kids in his class so it turned into a private lesson.  Both of the kids enjoyed their experience on the slopes.  It looks like we will be doing more of this in the future.

Antelope Creek Ranch January 2013

The boys and I went down to the ranch for the weekend.  Brandy stayed home and had a quiet, relaxing weekend to herself.  We spent the weekend sledding, riding ATV's, and hot tubbing with Nana and Poppy.  It was a beautiful, sunny weekend with a skiff of fresh snow.