Friday, August 31, 2007

Pax and Liza sitting in a tree...

Oh, you know the rest. Here's a tribute to PBR and LN's third dating adventure! For those of you who don't know, Sonja and I shared gestation journals and Liza Noel (otherwise known as Liza Lou) and Paxson Revel (otherwise known as Mr., Senor, or Boodah) are destined to be soulmates. This happens to be their first meeting since they are actually aware of the world (and each other), though they had a date at about 3 weeks old and one at about 3 months old.

Here they are checking each other out....
More checking....

Yes, looks like there could be some potential....

And then PBR goes for the full attack....


Liza and Ivan got to check out the Carousel too.


I had a serious case of "van envy" as we meandered around to the Hamilton Farmer's Market.


Where a massive amount of huckleberries were acquired.



I think we turned the kids into huckleberry zombies...
.

Luckily Sam had the perfect sprinkler for some clean-up.


And of course, to quench the thirst too.....mmmm tasty!

Missoula life....



We spent another week in Missoula, living it up with all of the kid-friendly Missoula activities. Here we are on the Carousel....Senor's first horseback riding experience and here's an action shot to prove that it really is the fastest carousel as it spins around at nearly 8 miles per hour!


Then it was on to the Bonner Park splash park. Pax Rev wasn't sure what to think about the hot Montana weather, but he definitely enjoyed the water.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Happy



And congratulations to Rani, who is saying goodbye to billable hours and hello to in-house counsel. Hooray! It's her dream job.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Mystery Pictures

We did take pictures, after all! Here's the lovely mountain valley we call our roots:



(Usually the mountains are prettier.)

Pax Rev with Uncle Nate and Aunt Nicole.



Pritch and Ekegren in training:





Down for the count!

Gramps, hunting for the ever elusive four leaf clover:

The ever-romantic allure of the merry-go-round:




And let's not forget, the HMS Bounty. Those Kingston Idahoans know how to honor a great explorer! Too bad Tony Horwitz didn't know about the Kingston gas station. It probably would've made his book.

Heading South

We went to the lower 48 to celebrate two weddings and hang out with family. Both weddings were wonderful and amazing. Lewis and Tarifa's was like something straight out of a storybook, absolutely luxurious, at a famous California winery. Unfortunately, our photography skills do not match the perfection of the event, but this picture sort of captures the setting.



The flower girl and ring boy performed their duties admirably.




A silhouette of Lewis and the supporting men. Again, we apologize for our photography.



Here comes the bride:



The magic words are said, and off they go, into the sunset! Congratulations Lewis and Tarifa!



Actually, at this point, the fun was just beginning. Paxson Revel was so inspired he decided to try for a little romance with the ladies.



After some post-wedding, pre-reception mingling, we were directed to take our assigned seats in the banquet hall. The members of the wedding party were introduced, culminating with the stars of the show. Upon being introduced, Lewis and Tarifa proceeded to perform a fully choreographed ballroom dance. Awesome! Bollywood!



You could really feel the love, and that's what these things are all about. A lifetime of it. After the dancing came the exquisite five course, five wine meal, interspersed with perfectly appropriate and occasionally tear-jerking speaches. It was a true gala affair. We were honored to be part of it. Lewis and Tarifa are so thoughtful, they even gave Paxson Revel his very own place setting!

Like Jake and Megan's wedding, we took no pictures at Pat and Melissa's. But their wedding was wonderful, too. The ceremony began with a didgiridoo, and incorporated readings on love from various philosophers and poets throughout the ages. The setting was on the shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene, and an old wooden rowboat was available for romantic paddles during the reception. Congratulations Pat and Melissa! Keep living the SLC dream!

Somehow we also took no pictures of Team Garcia, up to Missoula to celebrate Rani's 20 year high school reunion. I guess we were too distracted by the wonder of the Missoula KOA, the post-Sturgis bikers, and the smoky forest fire air to don the camera. And we took no pictures of Senor hanging out with Grammy and Gramps. Oh well, you can't win them all.

You kind of get used to living far from anything remotely fashionable, lulled into sort of a Carhartt complacency, after a few years in the bush. So preparing for two weddings caused us a wee bit of consternation. But thanks to Genevieve, Dawson's work shoes are now fit to be worn to fancy events. (This picture is taken midway through the process. Not quite a before and after photo, but you pretty much get the idea.)

Monday, August 06, 2007

Mano y Mano

Water temperature in the 40s, air temperature in the 50s, crabs all around and no boat. What do you do????

The answer----
Take 'em on---

Mano y mano.

All you need is a hooded wetsuit and a sweet moustache (or bigotes as they say).

Let's not forget standard issue swim goggles....

Crabs beware!

Watch out here he comes.....


Still coming....

Really looking now....

"Here crabbie, crabbie....Here crabbie, crabbie"

Alas...no crabs in sight (at least with the sight the awesome scratched swim goggles provided). Lots of floundery shaped fishes, though. And a beautiful sunny day perfect for entertaining Senor by reinacting the Loch Ness Monster...


Just wait you little crabbies. We're not finished with you yet. Mano y mano. Take 2. Coming soon to theaters near you.

P.S. Here's an eagle shot for my dad who was always trying to capture an eagle in action...