Category: life

Father’s Day

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Ever since we’ve moved up to the gorgeous state of Oregon, a new tradition has started for my Father’s day; we all go to find a river or stream so I can sit with my feet in the water. It’s simple, I get to spend time with Dawn and Ian, and it gets us out in nature. Kind of perfect.

This year we went to the Smith Homestead day use area in Tillamook Forest. Previous times we’ve gone it was relatively quiet with very few people around. This year was a little different; we went on Saturday, the day before Father’s Day and with things starting to open back up there were a ton of people there. No worries though, still got out in nature, still got to spend time with Dawn and Ian, and still got to sit with my feet in the water.

Then on Sunday, we started off with a nice quiet morning at home followed by a Portland Thorns game! With things finally starting to open up, proof of vaccination for entry, and the attendance up to 80%, I was really excited to go cheer on the team with our Rose City Riveters family!

So good to hear that many of us.

One Goal Beyond!!!

It was a great Father’s Day weekend and I am so grateful for everything we have in our lives. Love you Dawn and Ian – I’m a lucky daddy.

A trip to Seattle with my dude

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Once we got through Ian’s graduation, he and I got to take a short overnight trip to Seattle. (and, bonus, Dawn got some much needed quiet time)

We stayed at ‘citizenM Seattle’; the decor was fun, the location worked really well for us, and the room was a great mix of minimalism meets Stanley Kubrick. We’d stay there again.

Once we checked in, Ian and I walked over to the Spheres. I’ve wanted to show him the inside for a while now but it had been difficult to schedule. With some time off I just took my badge with me for our trip and I could escort him in for a tour.

For dinner, we walked over to Taku and ordered a ‘F**k It Bucket’ of Japanese fried chicken and furikake fries, and it was amazing. (We’ve been watching Top Chef Portland and had to try Chef Shota‘s place – hopefully we’ll get to try a few more of the restaurants from this the chefs of this season)

That evening, we just hung out, watched TV, and it was pretty great.

Started our day with Top Pot Doughnuts – a favorite of mine up there. (We took some home for Momma too)

Made a trip to Pike Place market to look around and Ian found ‘The Purple Store’ so we had to check it out. Fish n chips from Jack’s Fish Spot and we were on our way.

Last stop was Gas Works Park. Dawn and I had visited it before and I wanted to show the dude. From there, we jumped on the freeway for our long journey home. I really enjoyed spending time with my best buddy.

Happy Graduation Ian!

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Our Ian has graduated high school!

He has completed both the Computer Science Pathway and Engineering Pathway for Project Lead The Way. He also is finishing his high school career having taken 5 AP classes including AP Physics, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, AP Statistics, and AP Calculus AB. The shawl he wore was for High Honors in Computer Science, and cords for 5 or more AP classes, the Engineering Pathway, and first in family to go to a four year college.

To say we’re proud of him would be an understatement; Dawn and I are in awe of him. Ian has been an exceptional student, has worked hard, and it shows.

He’s always been our computer kid and has decided the first degree he pursues is in Cybersecurity at Oregon Tech.

Family and friends flew in and we got to celebrate our Ian all weekend.

On Friday, we watched the senior awards live-stream with family and friends.

As the head of the computer science program at his school started talking about the program, and about one student who “was methodical at his learning, including each programming language they worked on, and excelled every year he was in the program”, Dawn and I knew he had to be talking about our Ian – and he was! Ian won the award for the entire computer science division of his graduating class. So proud of him.

Later that evening, we went and picked up Grandpa and Grandma from PDX.

Yep – Dawn and I definitely teared up hearing our Ian’s name called as we watched him cross the stage.

Keeping with Dawn’s family tradition, Ian was presented with Hawaiian leis, including a money lei! (that one was his favorite)

Dawn decorated the cars of course as well!

Later that evening we hung out at home for him to open his cards, then went out to Topaz Farm for dinner

On Sunday, we had a fantastic Graduation Party for the dude with friends and family – we’re thankful to everyone who was able to show up to celebrate Ian! The weather didn’t cooperate and it rained for most of the day, but it was still a great time.

Monday morning we dropped off Mom and Dad at PDX. So happy to be able to spend time with them, it’s been too long.

Then we drove Deb and Elmer out to Multnomah Falls, then Superpine Drive-In for some treats.

Congratulations Ian! We love you so much.

47

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Turned 47 on Friday. Dawn reminded me I’m no longer in my mid-40’s; now I’m in my late 40’s – haha.

We started the day with a trip to Pip’s to get some donuts, which is always a good way to start your weekend.

When we got home, I got to open presents – so many awesome gifts from Dawn and Ian. And the card the dude picked out cracked me up.

Then, while Ian was in class, I got to spend some time in my garage gym.

That evening, we rented out the entire theater and watched Godzilla vs Kong. The movie was a blast and it was so nice to be in a theater again. (masked, social distance seating, and private)

Then, the next morning, I got my first vaccine shot – happy and hopeful things will become some new normal soon.

I’m really grateful for everything in my life and had a fantastic birthday.

Bees

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We just bought a box of mason bee cocoons from Farmington Gardens for the backyard!

Found this video incredibly helpful as I have no idea what I’m doing with these. Linked from this great write up on beebuilt.com.

Dawn found a bee house for us

We’ve put it in the back corner of the yard, furthest from the house, out near the fruit trees with easy access to the garden for our new mason bee friends

We put out about half of the cocoons we bought today – and as the video suggested – we’ll put the other half out to hatch in two weeks

New neighbors are moved in – I hope they like their new home