Seattle: July 17, 2014

Leaving Seattle on the ferry to Bainbridge Island.  The ferris wheel allows you to have great views of the city and Mount Ranier, apparently.  Didn't have time to check it out but hope to get back to Seattle to check it out.

On our way to Bainbridge Island.

Underway, on the top deck:  co-workers Beth, Paul, Renee, Kerrie, and Penny.

Dinner at Café Nola in Bainbridge:  Bernadette (an Oregon administrative law judge) joined us Texans:  Kerrie, Renee, Paul, Beth, Penny, me, and David

On our way back to Seattle, Penny and David say "hi" from a lower deck.

Arriving back in Seattle:  the Space Needle and ferris wheel

Cyclists disembark first

Seattle: July 16, 2014

Co-workers Kerrie, Hunter, and I stop at Elysian Brewing after a long day of focusing on the ins and outs of special education functional behavioral assessments.

Beer is piped directly from the vats to the "on draft" machines. 

On our walk to Volunteer Park, we spotted this Greek Orthodox Church and stepped inside.

Inside the Greek Orthodox Church.  A member told us the congregation is Russian.

Hydrangeas!  For you, Brandy!

The Seattle Space Needle, framed by this sculpture at Volunteer Park.

Micro-creamery treat!  I had the salted caramel ice cream with hot fudge and whipped cream.

Kerrie and Hunter, waiting for me outside the Bluebird Micro-creamery.

Jimi Hendrix and me, in downtown Seattle: July 15, 2014

Jimi Hendrix and me.  Hendrix was a Seattle native.  Someday . . . .

Garden in July

Attack of the tomato worm!  This big guy ended up in our butterfly habitat and, as of July 20, is cocooned.  Waiting to find out what he'll turn into.  Whatever it is, it will be re-homed far away from Papa Tom's tomato garden!

Mad pepper!  This guy was in our garden too, along with Papa's beautiful tomatoes and basil.

Seattle: July 15, 2014

Sushi and Sapporo after a long day of learning about special education law: with co-workers Paul, Beth, and Penny.

I couldn't even tell you what this is, except that it was delicious.

And this was delicious too: squid, shrimp, salmon . . . . Apparently there's a sushi place on Burnet Road in Austin that makes rolls with chicken fried steak!  Hmm!  Fusion cuisine for sure.

Paul took on the squid.  Go for it!

Seattle: July 14, 2014

At the Pike's Place market:  these salmon were huge!

More salmon on ice.  Fishy smell, oh yes.

Tossing fish!  Can you spot it in the light?

The original Starbuckes.  You might notice that the mermaid has changed over the years.



On the waterfront.

Walking down to the public market.

Off to work! Monday, July 14, 2014

Skyler's off to work, and I'm off to Seattle. 

Otis! Portland, July 13, 2014

Gelato and an evening at the park

Saturday fun at McDonald's: Portland, July 12, 2014

Godzilla got to go to McDonald's with us.

How often do you see an original Golden Arches?  This one is on the other side of the parking lot from the updated McDonald's near Skyler's and Otis's house.



Professional Otis, wearing my glasses.

Otis and Alauna: Portland weekend: July 12-13, 2014

Skyler's girlfriend Destiny has a 3-year-old daughter, Alauna, who was born on New Year's Day 2011.  Here, they are painting dinosaur models.

Otis and Alauna, getting ready to watch Frozen at bedtime.

Out for Hawaiian food and Hawaiian shaved ice: Portland, July 11, 2014

Yum!  Otis chose three flavors and ate every bite himself.  Mommy was only teasing.

So much shaved ice!

Shaved ice gone.  Time to sit in Daddy's lap!

Triceritops in Portland: July 9, 2014

Otis with Triceritops, Skyler's pet mouse.  I held Ttops too.  Very friendly!  Skyler finally had to put Ttops in a cage; otherwise, the little guy would come up from the basement and find Skyler in the night and nestle under his chin to sleep.



Cobra the Cat keeps an eye on TTops, who lives in the basement.  Cobra has to live outside.

Las Vegas airport: July 9, 2014

I wonder what constitutes playing or loitering near the slot machines?  I'm guessing this law is more about Mom, Dad, Grandma (take your pick) instructing Child to stand next to them while they try their luck.

Inside the Las Vegas airport:  lots of "dinging" going on!  Are we humans so easily tantalized that we will respond to blinking lights and bells when we know the chances of winning are slim, fat, and none?

I was tantalized enough (and skeptical enough) to be willing to play the penny slots until I saw that you had to buy tickets to play.  I wonder if they would have sold me a 10-cent ticket?  Never found out.

Happy July Fourth!

Emma, Al, and Joyce headed to a pool party in Waco.  Emma and Joyce made a super patriotic cake for the occasion!  I'm informed muey much icing was involved.  Yum!

July Fourth at Lala and Papa Jay's

Amon, Jade, and Anjanette at the edge of the pool at Jay and Laura's house;  Jay and Laura are Anjanette's parents, known as Lala (Jade's name for Laura) and papa Jay to Jade.

Jade swimming with Papa Jay.  First time to use a noodle by herself!

The other pool.  Amon helped Jay build the video game cabinet in the background.

Sparkler time!

Cowgirl Jade: July 2, 2014

A cowgirl needs a hat, a rope, and boots!

And if you don't have a horse, a cow will do!  This is one of the cows at the Amy's Ice Cream playground near our house.