Before the Storm

There are about 50 people out dancing to XBOX in my living room at Rainbow right now, and I am on Dorthy duty while she sleeps in the bedroom on the waterbed,  so I decided to blog.  Chelle and her family got in last night from Vermont, so I am pretty sure it will be a nonstop party from now until they return home on the 3rd. 

Paula and I had a wild week related to the firm.  Last Saturday, we did the Portland holiday party, complete with Santa and about a million kids. 



Rob Fotheringham was Santa this year.  Really fun to have him interacting with the kids.



That afternoon, we flew to Salt Lake with Paula's mom, did the Salt Lake dinner with the staff there on Monday evening, and argued a Summary Judgment motion.  While there, we drove out to see Thuan's former wife Jane and their son Carl.  It was a beautiful day with incredible views of Timp from downtown Lehi. 



Carl was decorating the tree, and I got to help him.  I also got a chance to help him collect eggs from their hen house. 







On Friday we flew early to Boise, visited with the staff there, and flew home through Seattle where we got stuck on the ramp with a plane malfunction and had to change planes.  Got home about 3 am!



Yesterday, drove to Longview to buy a truck, picked up Chelle's family at the airport, and partied at Chuong's house. Serious Grandkid action.



Didn't take Ander's long to engage his cousins with the Pokeman cards.



Birding lately has been limited to just around the loop here on Rainbow, but some fun birds nonetheless. 

Varied Thrush





Golden and Ruby Crowned Kinglets

 



Downy Woodpecker



Anna's Hummingbird







And our mystery critter.  What is this fairly common bird?  First grandchild to get the bird wins $10!



Fox Sparrow



And a beautiful little House Finch



So here it is just 9 days to Christmas.  The river is up, and we are snug in our home.



I keep thinking about the blessing that this home is.  Paula teaches the grand kids piano lessons here and teaches them how to cook at the same time.





Just a parting shot of Chuong's little family.  Really fun.




Peace.

Thanks

It is the day after Thanksgiving and Paula is off with Kennedy shopping.   Just can't believe how lucky we are.  The weather stayed beautiful clear into October as shown by this photo outside church just before Kev went back to Utah.



I ended up spending almost two weeks in Utah for work during the middle of October.  I took the camera and tried to get out while I was there.  Antelope Island and several wildlife areas including the National Bird refuge just outside of Brigham City were fun to cruise around on even though I just didn't have much daylight.

Toward the end of October we went out to Vermont for about 10 days.  Don't know why but lately every trip to Windsor ends up with me down with allergies.  Need to figure that one out.  Nonetheless, we had a great time with the kids, and I managed to get out to get a few photos, including a new life bird.



 My hiking buddies.  Up above the Parrish House.

 

 

 While the folks down in New York and New Jersey, and even in Boston were recovering from tropical storm Sandy, we were really enjoying an extra warm Halloween with the kids.



 Windsor has a great tradition of folks sitting on their porch to greet the tricksters!  That's good because some of these old homes look pretty imposing!





 

 While the weather held off, the elementary school held it's Turkey Trot fundraiser for the poor, and of course Maddie was a star.



 

 It did finally turn off really cold, but that didn't discourage this Kingfisher from getting out and hunting, (and getting off a shot of his own!)

 

 Before the lake behind Chelle's house froze, we saw a family of River Otter playing!



 And I got my first ever look at the White Winged Scoter (albeit distant)!



 The opportunity to get out and bird was not hampered by the weather, and even though we did get some snow, some wind, and it was biting cold, we even got a little sun.  Just a few of the birds we saw.  American Tree Sparrow, Brown Creeper and Red Bellied Woodpecker.

 We got out of New England just before yet another storm cancelled another round of flights, and were grateful to be home.  First thing Grandma did was hug Tulia (who as you will see in a minute is a favorite hug target.)

 

 I did get out an bird a bit here in Oregon.  Often when we get drizzle and fog inland, the coast is clear and sunny (though windy and cold), so birding there is good.  I got the MYSTERY CRITTER there a few weeks ago.  First grandchild to get the bird also get's $10!



 Here are a few others from that same excursion. 

 Which brings us to Thanksgiving Day 2012 here in Scholls, Oregon.  Not bad weather, a bit of fog and overcast, but in the low fifties and dry.  I even got a few bird shots off the back porch before heading to the lodge for the feast.  House Finch, Junco and Pine Siskin all numbered in the hundreds at the feeders.

 We had about 50 at the lodge for dinner!  It was a feast that included plates designed like scary faces...

 One which looked like but wasn't a turkey...

And just a whole lot of food generally.  Nic had been cooking meat in his Traeger all night, including Turkey, Beef and Chicken.  It was a Viet/American feast like we have come to expect plus!

 
Tulia got passed around and loved every minute. 

Sometimes it was calm, and sometimes it was crazy.

After dinner, we went down to the vineyard to pick up the Pineapple Guava that had fallen during the recent storm.  The trees were loaded, and we had a great time picking up the fruit.  If you haven't had Pineapple Guava, it is kind of like a Kiwi.  If it is ripe it is really sweet, if not, it can be a bit tart. 

We had a great crew, including by far the cutest Dorothy!

Nothing like being on a farm for a family activity.  Get a load of the peace signs, including Alvin's which doesn't quite get it going.

 

It was back up to the Lodge for dessert, including the Pineapple Guava, but also some really yummy concoctions. 



Nothing like family getting together.



Today, Nic and his crew are up on the mountain skiing, although it is snowing like you can't believe.  I hope they are safe.  Sierra was pretty excited, to the point that she wore her ski gear to the party yesterday!

And by the way, a special thanks to my assistant photographer Kayla for helping to capture some of the memories yesterday!  Love to All.  Dad