Time before the rains

This year's dry season lasted all the way through October. Was amazing to get to have a full, long summer, though we were happy for it to end when the wildfire smoke began.

We caught as many Portland women's soccer Thorns games as we could.

Every day was so hot. So we discovered new places to swim. This spot was close to home on the Columbia River, Broughton Beach.

Soccer reigned in our lives, with each of the girls' games on Saturdays.

Picking apples from the apple tree out front.

The Vauxs swifts never fail to amaze. The spectators took a hiatus during covid so this was the first year back watching this migration spectacle. We met with Heather, Tom and Myles and the kids "sledded" down the hill on cardboard after watching. Such a good time.

Tomato harvest!

Quinn's new skateboard

On a few weekends we went out the the Sandy River to jump off the rocks into the cold water at our favorite spot.

September is Haley birthday month. For Nick's birthday the San Diego Haleys came up and we got to spend some time together with cousin Hazel.

It was so nice to be able to be there in person to celebrate Nani's birthday!

Quinn got invited to the neighbor's amazing Harry Potter themed birthday party.

We spent the weekend at Ali's family's cabin on Mt Hood with Moriah, Heather and Tom and Myles and Bernat. The moon was full and cast an eerie glow on the world when we went out for a night walk.

What an amazing cabin it was! Surrounded by forest and on the Sandy River. We had such a good time.

I got job! I'll be working with Metro, restoring habitat on regional natural areas. So in the two weeks before my job began Lucas and I took to doing a different hike a day. 

Our favorite hike in Forest Park. So good to see it again. Like seeing an old friend.

My favorite Columbia River Gorge hike, Latourell Falls

To Sauvie Island an all that an American fall has to offer! Corn maze! Pumpkins! Apple Cider! 

Oregon has an incredible tradition, ongoing for 60 years, in which all 6th graders go for a week to a hands on science school. Wren hit the jackpot with her class going to Camp Westwind on the coast, which others can only describe as magical.

She was very nervous in boarding the big classic yellow buses but so independently enjoyed her week away. No phones allowed at Outdoor School so no photos!

So many stories from the trip. The kids had perfect weather at Outdoor school and then it downpoured for the first time in months, as their buses pulled in. I got to catch up with Wren and Lucy over hot chocolate at the Fresh Pot in Powells. Unfortunately Lucy had covid! Miraculously, despite Wren spending the last two hours sitting next to her on the bus, maskless, she didn't catch it. Nearly everyone else did!

One of the last brilliantly sunny days we caught the semifinals Thorns game with Quinn's soccer team. An incredible game. And now the Thorns have gone on to win the final! Such sports heros these girls have.

Quinn with teammates Maisy and Ana, watching the Thorns magic.