First, a soccer update. At today's game, Ben scored THREE goals. One was a thing of absolute beauty. Ben had a free kick. He got the ball, checked out the opponents, and simply chipped the ball up over everyone's head and into the goal. Nothing to it. The other team just watched. Everyone cheered. There was music and confetti. Okay, maybe not, but there should have been.
Anyway, so the point of this post is to tell you about Ben's latest funny. In preparation for today's game, Travis ran to the store to get snacks. We bought apples (for the team) that no one ate. Travis was also supposed to pick up some licorice (it was on sale). He forgot (I didn't give him a list). Today, while loading up the car, we said "Ball. Check. Water. Check. Granola Bars. Check". Ben says from the back of the bus, "Licorice ... Uncheck".
Gosh, where could the sarcasm gene come from?
Oh Hoppy Day!
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The boys handled this year's bounty as the hop growing season came to an end. We had a hoptastic crop this year - our Cascade, Northern Brewer, Magnum, Willamette, Nugget and Centennial all bore the smelly flowers used in Travis' brewing endeavors. Travis cut down the vines (the house looks a little naked), showed the boys what to do, and they took it from there.
Ignore the white stuff on the house. It's really okay - just needs a little paint.
Ignore the white stuff on the house. It's really okay - just needs a little paint. 
Goal!
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Well, Ben didn't actually score a goal at the first match, but he was AWESOME! He kept his eye on the ball, did a great job passing, listened to the coaches (and ref Daddy), and had fun.
Big Steps
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Ben reached a big milestone. He left home and went out on his own. He started full-day kindergarten this month. Next thing you know, he'll move away and break my heart (although currently, his college plans are limited to University of Portland - five blocks away).
I have such mixed emotions about this - my baby is growing up, which makes me a little sad. But he's doing so in an independent way that makes me so very proud at the same time. It's hard to have him be gone all day (Ry misses him a LOT), but I know it's time for me to let him take some steps away from us for a bit. But just for a little bit ...
Here are some pictures from the first day. There was no drama from Ben. He was excited to start back with his friends and meet his new teacher. Ry, however, created quite the spectacle. He was really excited to go back to school, too. He was not excited, however, to leave school. He screamed for 10 minutes about wanting to stay with Ben. It was a little sad, but gives me hope that next year, he'll also be happy to start school. His brother sets an awfully good example for him.
I have such mixed emotions about this - my baby is growing up, which makes me a little sad. But he's doing so in an independent way that makes me so very proud at the same time. It's hard to have him be gone all day (Ry misses him a LOT), but I know it's time for me to let him take some steps away from us for a bit. But just for a little bit ...
Here are some pictures from the first day. There was no drama from Ben. He was excited to start back with his friends and meet his new teacher. Ry, however, created quite the spectacle. He was really excited to go back to school, too. He was not excited, however, to leave school. He screamed for 10 minutes about wanting to stay with Ben. It was a little sad, but gives me hope that next year, he'll also be happy to start school. His brother sets an awfully good example for him.
Gone Fishin'
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As an end of summer treat, Zuzu and Grampa took me and the boys to a trout farm to fit in a little fishing. We'd tried fishing earlier in the year at Yellowstone, but the freezing temps and snowstorms limited our exposure. And while this was a very well-stocked pond, the boys still got to try out their casting techniques. As long as Ry didn't get too close to the fish, he liked the experience.
Unfortunately, this was not a catch and release spot, so we were forced to bring them home. Travis graciously barbecued them up and the boys seemed to enjoy them. I managed to take a bite for appearances sake.
In keeping with tradition, Ben spit on the worm for good luck.
Further tradition: Ben gave the fish a smooch. So we're weird. Like you didn't know that by now.
Grampa was a big help and handled much of the yucky stuff.
Yummy ... or something like that.
Unfortunately, this was not a catch and release spot, so we were forced to bring them home. Travis graciously barbecued them up and the boys seemed to enjoy them. I managed to take a bite for appearances sake.
In keeping with tradition, Ben spit on the worm for good luck. 
Further tradition: Ben gave the fish a smooch. So we're weird. Like you didn't know that by now. 
Grampa was a big help and handled much of the yucky stuff. 
Yummy ... or something like that. 
One More Trip
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What the summer we've had! One last trip to cap off the summer - and it was a doozy!
We took in the Seattle Zoo on the way to visit Dork and family on Whidbey Island.
We had a great time getting to know the cutest puppy around, miss Sophie. She almost made it home with us.
Also, we made some pie. Just six or seven. Oh, and we ate all of them. It was mostly Patrick.
I asserted my dominance in golf (the kind played with cards - I'm the current undefeated world champion - a three-peat!).
And the boys had the greatest time. Bats flew overhead while we were in the hot tub (no rabies shots required Tiffy, these are outside bats), they threw rocks in the Puget Sound and they got to play in the lake. See below. Thanks very much for the splendid time. Whatever!
We took in the Seattle Zoo on the way to visit Dork and family on Whidbey Island.
We had a great time getting to know the cutest puppy around, miss Sophie. She almost made it home with us.
Also, we made some pie. Just six or seven. Oh, and we ate all of them. It was mostly Patrick.
I asserted my dominance in golf (the kind played with cards - I'm the current undefeated world champion - a three-peat!).
And the boys had the greatest time. Bats flew overhead while we were in the hot tub (no rabies shots required Tiffy, these are outside bats), they threw rocks in the Puget Sound and they got to play in the lake. See below. Thanks very much for the splendid time. Whatever!
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