December (and beyond) photos
Our snowwoman, Stella. This was at a co-workers house in the foothills of the Coast Range. Stella fell and was badly damaged shortly after this photo was taken. We miss her terribly.
Southern Pacific 4449 blows steam from her cylinders before departing Oaks Park station with the Holiday Express. Blowing steam out the bottoms of the cylinders removes any water that may be there before the piston tries to compress it. It also cleans the fence.
This is from the bluff overlooking Oaks Park. The photo was taken well after the sun had set and was handheld balanced on a park bench.
A family portrait with the train in the background. Laura brought Jerry Garcia with us for his first train ride. Jerry was a gift to Laura from Uncle Mark on her first birthday and today she decided he was old enough to go out in public. Jerry behaved very well. It wasn't snowing when we took the photo but it was earlier.
This man was walking through the train playing his violin. This is one of my favorite photos from the day.
My other favorite photo of the day. Laura and Jerry after a visit from Santa. Laura sat on Santa's lap but Jerry was too scared. Santa gave him a candy cane anyway but he is trying to watch his figure so I had to eat it.
Merry Christmas to all!
PH&L
After Christmas we went skiing at Crystal Mountain, near Seattle. Laura went on the ski lift for the first time. After she did the bunny hill a couple times, Heather asked her if she wanted to go again and she said yes and pointed at the lift to the top of the mountain. I suggested she learn to turn first as the toboggan ride down isn't so fun.
Heather, Laura and Mark headed up the chair lift for Laura's first trip up the bunny hill.
Laura is all grins after surviving another trip down the Hillary Step in a sled. Actually it is the road up to the ski club but when you are packing all the stuff in for the weekend it feels like the Hillary Step.
This was from the other ski trip this winter. It was over Easter weekend and the weather was really good on Saturday. On Sunday, the sunrise service at the top of the mountain was cancelled for the first time due to 60mph winds.
Moving on to spring. Here is Laura at the tea party the preschoolers put on for the end of the year. With just a little help, they made decorations, lemonade and rice crispy treats. Her hat is a dyed coffee filter.
Mother's Day we went to the beach at Oceanside. Somebody had written in huge letters, "Happy Mom's Day" but the tide came in and just "Mom's Day" was left when we took a photo.
This past weekend, summer arrived after exactly one day of Spring weather. To escape the heat we went to the Gorge for a hike with some friends. It is nice and cool to stand at the base of one of the waterfalls.
On the hike down, Laura and our godson Paul wanted a photo taken. It turned out very cute for a quick snapshot but there is no more baby Laura anywhere in the photo! She finishes pre-school this week and she has informed me she is now a big kid.
Happy Spring!!
PH&L