Three Peas

Peau, Benjamin and Annie enjoy a rainy Seattle morning.

We got to spend a fun week with my sister and her little guy, Peau. Here's a picture of the ragamuffins.

The Brownings Really Went to the Zoo

Jeff took the kids to the Portland Zoo a few weeks ago. They had a blast, but none of the pictures actually contain any real animals (so it's hard to prove they were actually there). Here are a few pictures of Benjamin and Annie at the honest-to-goodness, live-animal-containing zoo...

Benjamin rides an a metal otter.

Live children in a man-made cave.

Annie milking a synthetic cow.

Oh Annie!

Sunday, September 2 was Annie's second birthday. She got the stomach flu. And she shared. We planned on having a simple family celebration, but the birthday girl didn't even get pie. She actually came down with the bug just before the weekend; Benjamin and I followed on Saturday night, and Jeff fell ill on Sunday night. But all wasn't lost. Annie spent a lovely birthday with her then-healthy Daddy. They took a bike ride downtown, to the park, and out for smoothies. She loved it, and came home thoroughly exhausted and sleeping on Jeff's shoulder. I mustered enough energy to put her in her birthday dress (made by a sweet friend), light a candle on a piece of buttered bread (I'm so embarrassed), and take a couple of pictures (her hair was wet, in case you were wondering).

Annie with her birthday bread

Annie and her new baby in the "vee-da" (or hammock swing)

Annie, Full of Grace

Two years with you leave me
Mystified at the strength of your
Sweet spirit always soaring above me,
Shouting your intentions from the rooftop
And jumping with laughter and liberty into the wind,
An exquisite hullabaloo of wildness echoing in my ears
As I watch you land safe, sound and sleeping in
Your Daddy’s arms again. And again. And again.

Happy Birthday, baby girl.

Journey to the Enchanted Forest

Hangin' with Humpty

Benjamin had been longing for a trip to the Enchanted Forest (Salem, Oregon) and sent Jeff an email requesting a date. Jeff responded: "I have scheduled for you, me, Mommy and Annie to go to the Enchanted Forest on Saturday, August 25." He was so excited, and the trip turned out to be amazing. Here are some pictures of some good, old-fashioned fun.


Honest Abe and Benjamin


The boys move on to the next adventure


Snow White's house

Camping at Willamette Pass

Nearing the top of the ski run

Here's a picture from our trip to Jeff's race at Willamette Pass Ski Area in Oregon. Benjamin suggested a gondola ride, which turned out to be a nice treat. A gorgeous hawk flew beside our car on the ride up, and Benjamin was stung by a bee at the very top. He handled it well and told everyone how "aggressive" the bees were. It turned out to be a lovely weekend.

Here's a link to a video clip of Jeff during the Where's Waldo 100k Trail Race at mile 53. He ran really well and ended up winning the men's race.

Country Roads, Take Me Home

Cousin Richie, Crying Annie and Tuned-Out Benjamin

In July, we took a long-awaited trip to Missouri to catch up with family and friends. Upon our airport arrival, Jeff and I were struck with how it felt (and smelled) like home. It turned out to be such a lovely visit. Benjamin and Annie caught fireflies with cousin Richie, we took a couple of hikes to the Devil's Icebox cave in our college town (Columbia), and got to see lots of people we love. Sometimes you can go home again.





Firefly Hunt (and Release)

Robin Hood Turns Five

Robin Hood disguised as a pirate

Benjamin's five! The bold outlaw of Sherwood Forest had a party and invited all his merry men (and some girls too). Right merrily we feasted on good birthday cake such as is seldom seen in these days except at the tables of nobles. Yum.

We love you, Benjamin.