Good Times with Jackson

"Nana, look how I go to bed."
It is quite startling the first time one sees this. Of course once he did his flip and foot hold act he had to show it to me several more times.




Mugging for the camera.

The Park. No matter what the weather, always a hit.

Climbing.

Swinging higher and higher.

Going off to school. (Day Care.)

Beaverton Fun

We enjoy riding the MAX - Portland's light rail - from the airport into Beaverton. As Honored Citizens (so much nicer a term that Senior Citizens) our fare is only $1. Here is our train. As much fun, and convenient, as the train is to ride I do not want one in Honolulu!

There are always characters to watch.

Inside the train. (Once again my camera kept me entertained.)

Jackie with the world's biggest remote. His eyes were huge when he saw it.

One big highlight of my time in Beaverton was meeting my friend Linda Webb Howard in Corvallis for lunch. She and I have been friends as long as we can remember. It was a fun visit..the talking only stopped when we sipped our tea or crewed our food.

Much to Jackie's delight his Deedo (dad) bought him a big wheel. Not because of the bike itself but because of putting it together and using the tools.
Like the wrench.

And the screw driver!

More wrench.

Showing Nana how it is done.

Checking things out with Mommee.

Two busy people.

Its a bit too big but won't be for long at the rate he is growing. For now he's happy unscrewing and re-screwing the various screws.

He figured out another use for a wrench...feeding himself popcorn. Slow going but fun.

Having a ride on the good old plasma car.

The boys on a bridge.


Proud of the pizza he made. Note cheese in one pile.

Mr. Hollywood

We took Jackie to Costco and Captain put him in this car. We didn't realize that it was turned on. Discovered the fact as Jackie started to back up into Cartons of merchandise. Didn't know we could move that fast!

Cereal, good to the last bit.

Stringing Beads at Marnie's.

Captain helping pick up spilled beads.

Driving Marnie's 'car.'

Jackie loves to help with chores..wonder how long that will last. Mopping boy.

He was thrilled when he discovered how to turn the Dust Buster on. He liked it so much we were sure he would ask to sleep with it. He didn't but he went straight for it the next morning.

Ski Road Trip - Colorado & Utah

February 7 to 14 - Vail, Colorado and Deer Valley Utah. We flew to Salt Lake, spent the night with Perry and Sally Sorenson and then drove to Vail with Sally. Perry had a meeting and joined us 2 days later. In Vail we met Bard and Polly Oliver and Lizzy and Dee Lowrey. We stayed at Brad's sisters elegant condo which is just steps from the ski slope.
We also drove back to Deer Valley..scroll down for both road trip sights.
There was a lack of fresh snow in both Vail and Deer Valley (and the area in between) however, both resorts manged to groom what they had beautifully and we had some great skiing.
The mountains looking down on Vail.

Vail village has a European feel to it.

The Buck...

Lizzy and Brad enjoying the sunshine and

A beer.

The snow bear's birthday.

Skis and snowboards.

Many lovely statues in the village.
This one is for Buck.



This is not Doni skiing.

This could be Doni.

Snowboarders heading home...pizza for supper.

Doni and Brad always bet on the Super Bowl. The loser has to pour the winner (on bended knee) a beverage of the winner's choice. Guess whose team won this year?


On the drive from Deer Valley to Vail and back again, Doni kept herself entertained taking photos through the window. It was a lovely and fascinating drive. Amazing geology, interesting small towns, oil wells and isolated farms. Imagine being way out on one of them in a big blizzard. Must feel pretty lonely.
Despite wishing for snow for the ski slopes, we felt very lucky to have clear roads and great driving conditions both ways.
This place has a beautiful backdrop with the colors in this rock which actually looks quite crumbly.

The trees without leaves were varied and beautiful.

The lines in this rock looks like branches of trees. Will they turn into deep rivelets and then canyons?

Horses, cows, water...bucolic with hint of winter.


A few more interesting but lonely looking homesteads.



The main street of this town is Stegosaurus..I kid you not.

This plaque was at one of the rest stops. Rather random I'd say, but nice to have a touch of home.

Even in the winter there is color.

We saw several trains.

And pumping oil wells. Like giant birds dipping into the water for a drink.

And buttes, we saw lots of buttes.

In Vernal, Utah, next door to the fly shop (we are in fishing country folks) we found Betty's Cafe and had a most amazing lunch. Huge portions and great flavors. Most of the group had breakfast. Stacks of pancakes, eggs, ham, bacon, fantastic fried potatoes...Doni had a salad and bean and ham soup with a scone. The scone was actually fried bread and almost as large as my plate.
Betty's Cafe
416 W. Main St, Vernal, UT 84078
"No alcoholic beverages are served, but the pie selection is great."


The Gang...Sally, Lizzy and Buck

Polly, Dee and Perry


And a couple of clowns..Brad & Doni. (We can hear our children wondering if we should be allowed out without chaperones.)

Also in Vernal, Lee's Nail salon with its statue of a Native American. Makes one wonder what the Native Americans think of it.

Back to Deer Valley for more skiing. Not much snow until a few days before we were leaving when it finally snowed!







Sweet Little Red Riding Hood walking in the snowy woods.

Along comes the Big Bad Brad-Wolf with a snow ball.
Ready, aim ...

Fire!

Splat!

The end of a great day...

The end of a great ski trip. Thanks Sally and Perry, Brad and Polly, Lizzy and Dee.