July 2006 Archives

Learning to throw rocks in the stream while Daddy filters fresh water.

Mommy shows Finn how to throw rocks.



Every rock must go in the water.



This big one should go far.



Oops. Not very far.



Mommy, does sinking count as a skip?



Nature is so relaxing.

Nancy and I took Finn for an overnight camp to a different river. This one was a short hike (2 miles in), south of Seattle, near Enumclaw, which is almost to Mount Rainier. It was one of the easiest hikes in my book. We chose it because we planned to take the stroller (the big-wheeled jogging stroller) on the trail. Wow, it turned that hike from very easy to very hard - it has to be muscled up every hill and over every root. Little steps turn into having to carry it. Anyway, we made it and I needed the workout anyway. This was our last camping outing before my leave of absence was over.

My two hiking companions:



The crazed look of a hiker.



Finn hikes too.



Spoon loves hiking so much, he just had to come along.



What beautiful rapids.

At Seattle Center, taking Paul and Maryann over to the Space Needle. Underneath are some carnival rides. Finn loves cars! He learned about cars that go around in a circle over in Europe. Here in the states, it's all business once you get behind the wheel.

While Mary Ann and Paul came out to visit, we went camping. I took them to Boulder River again, since I knew it was a great trail, secluded, waterfalls, and a bit of a distance workout. They are great hikers. When you see people after a little aggravation (sweating, walking, carrying packs, eating camp food, etc) you can get to know them a little better, and I finally got to see that Mary Ann is really in love. Paul is very patient and they get along very well.

Anyway, these pictures are mostly of the hikers walking away from "behind".

Finn, Mary Ann and I go to the Woodland Park Zoo. This is in the Butterfly Garden, which Mary Ann adored.

Like father like son:

Two happy worms:

One of the best times we had in Europe was in Amsterdam. We went to see the combined Caravaggio/Rembrandt exhibit at the Van Gogh museum. Since it's Rembrandt's 400th birthday, they've moved all the Rembrandts all over town (perhaps to maximize revenue?), but the best ones are here in Van Gogh. The wait was hours long, and the paintings are walled off in a special dark, quiet area packed with hundreds of people. Babies, I hardly need to mention, are not allowed to be loud; after so much wait and paying the extra surcharge nobody wants to be disturbed.

So after we got out of there, we got to wander through the rest of the Van Gogh museum (to see actual Van Goghs), which was much brighter, airer, and less crowded. Since it was Friday night, the museum was open late (9 pm) with a wine bar and 3piece jazz band. Finn and I just sat on the carpet to listen to the music and had a little father-son moment.

After a while we were joined by this little French boy. He was willing to speak to me in French, though his father did the typical thing where I speak French and he speaks English. Nice enough though, he allowed his boy to take a picture of Finn with his cell phone. Finn had a lot of fun chasing him around; he loves playing with older boys. And this boy clearly had more fun paying attention to Finn than the paintings or jazz.

In so many museums we had to tag-team parent to watch Finn and be bored while the other went through the exhibits. When I had a chance to have fun and hear music and have Finn entertained like this, it was much more enjoyable.

Also notice Finn's little Thomas train in his hand; he kept that for the entire trip (this day is after 33 days of travel!)

These two days have been so hot here in Seattle. Nancy put up aluminum foil in all the windows to keep the sun out and we're running the AC. Finn takes very long naps, and doesn't have any energy.

So here's some photos from way back in April, when it was cold!! No it doesn't make any sense.