These boots were made for walking...

Elliot's favorite thing (for today anyway) was:

Her rain boots

And no, it did not rain today. We just went for a walk around the block to get the mail.

What can I say...

I'm pretty sure this post is one of those things that at around the age of thirteen Audra will try to make mysteriously disappear as it will be, "like, totally, like embarrassing mom." I don't even really know that to say here...she found these in the doll clothes for my old Cabbage Patch doll stuff. She was getting ready to do her "basketballing" and was showing her dad her muscles before she got things started. Wow. Inspiring...I think I need to exercises more.

I have a brother....

As you, my faithful blog readers, may or may not know...I have a brother. And this, dear friends, this is the post in which I chose to introduce you to him. You see, he is a high school teacher at the alternative high school here in town. They run their school on a pretty tight budget, the kids that need the most getting the least...I know...it makes no sense. Enter brilliant idea of one Mr. Gordon (aka my brother) and you have a fundraiser car wash. Now it gets better. The same weekend as his car wash, the Walla Walla High School cheerleaders are ALSO doing a car wash just down the street. Mr. Gordon decides he needs to kick it up a notch. Enter silver tights and super hero cap. That's right folks, they decide to through a super hero themed car wash...because everybody loves a good super hero. Lets examine a little more closely...wow...looking good Mr. Gordon.

Allow me to point out a few of the finer details you may have missed. His toe nails are painted in a matching silver to go with his costume (he is so detailed oriented that one). Did you catch the seams in the silver leggings that are S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G to cover those massive thighs? All I can say is, WOW.


Really, the best part of this day was getting to sit back and watch my brother work, washing my car no less. Ahhhhhhhh, it was a good day.

His students were AMAZING. They were working their tails, I mean capes off!!!! I tell you those cheerleaders had NOTHING on these super heros. Nice job guys.

Pool Party...

Ya know what's even better than having a pool in your own back yard....someone else (who you happen to really like hanging out with) having a pool in THEIR back yard!!

Our long lost cousins Tyler and Stephanie just got a pool this summer.

Lucky for us, we had some unusually hot September weather to need to cool off from.

Thanks for sharing Big Rea Rea....

just keep the gate unlocked, we'll see you guys again SOON!

School...

The little one is off to pre-school this morning...a little nervous...a lot excited.

El rancho not so grande...

Welcome to El Rancho Not So Grande...our new home when we close on Sept. 17th. It sits on 1.28 acres of land and has not been lived in for over a year and a half. It is 20 years old, and has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths.

Front yard...

side of house with driveway heading to the back of the property and shop.

The back of the house has a day light basement and a third garage that the former owner used as a wood working shop.

Driveway on the side of the house that goes around back to the shop and third garage.

Back yard, shop and field. The property is long and narrow, currently the back field is planted with pasture grass and the neighbor takes care of it for the owner.

My folks house is about two miles from our new house. This is what you see on the drive from their place to ours....

the Blue Mountains in the distance....

vineyards...

alfalfa fields freshly cut...

ready for harvest.

When we finally get the keys to the place we'll show you around inside. Once we close we have about 6 weeks of renovations to do. We are taking down a wall, new carpet, counter tops, appliances, flooring, light fixtures, and paint. Can't wait to make our new house...a home.

Parade...

Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days Parade, 2009

Walla Walla High School marching band

Pooper scooper...a MUST in a parade with this many horses!

The very best way to see a parade.

Parade Princesses

This guy has a local plumbing company in town...best float of the parade!

Main Street, Walla Walla WA.