the town of or

Schools were closed today due to snow. We played outside and made this guy.

This weekend marked the fourth annual Labor Day "camping" trip, spent up at the cabin with the Bakers, Cramers, Sanders and Skiptons. 10 adults and 10 kids. We had glorious weather (for the first time in four years). This was the year of stomp rockets, a new motor boat, and a fire burning in the Olympic Mountains that made for some cool sunsets.

We visited our friends' farm tonight. Cows...pigs...turkeys...
Oh, and don't forget the electric fences and mating roosters too - oh my!

School was closed today, because of lots of snow. We got all bundled up and made this snowman. Fun! -Jake

On the way to work today, I shrieked like a schoolchild and almost crashed the car when I was surprised by a mouse running around the passenger side of the car. I tried to lure him out by opening the door but no luck. At the parking lot at work, I baited a trap and placed it in the car. 30 minutes later, the poor little guy had already met his demise. His last meal was organic peanut butter. :-(

IslandWood's Howl-o-ween event was a success. Attached are a couple photos taken by Robert Dashiell, one of our volunteers and docents. Our kitchen team carved the funny-face and owl-shaped pumpkins.

Last night, we went to the Bainbridge Pumpkin Walk, and carved jack-o-lanterns with Jake. I carved this one in honor of a party today at Wacky Nut Horse Farm. Photoshop did it justice:

Coming off the ferry, Ben ran into our State Representative Christine Rolfes who introduced him to Governor Chris Gregoire, who was campaigning for re-election:

Back on Labor Day weekend, a group of friends started what we hope will be an annual outdoors tradition. We started easy - kayaking from Fort Ward on Bainbridge to Manchester State Park. Admittedly, it was a 15-minute kayak trip, but with eight parents watching six kids (nine kids by next year!) it seemed the appropriate degree of difficulty. Next year - noise proof cabins! Here is a link to more photos of the trip - all taken on Jessica Henderson's camera.

Yesterday morning, Jake announced "Daddy - Deer!" and pointed to our backyard. We were treated to two young bucks who were practicing their jousting skills (one lost an antler and got a bit bloody). It was a really low-light situation, so the pictures didn't turn out that great...but this one at least paints the picture. I love our back yard!