Districts

 There's something about brothers on the same team.

 Something about guys encouraging one another.

 Something about a man well past his bloom
cheering a grandson just entering his prime.

 There's something about the new kid on the block
earning a place at districts...

...whatever his source of power.

 .

 There's something about getting stronger, working harder...

 ...and experiencing the pay-off.

 There's something about cameraderie. 

There's something ~ and someone ~ about this season
I'm really going to miss.

Best Days

A clear, crisp winter's day.  Frozen water in the field.  "Skating" in farm boots.  An impromptu outdoor picnic of the simplest fare.  Wandering the river's edge under eagles' eyes.  The best kind of winter day, according to Kai ~ and I quite agree.

Thirteen Makes a Third Teen

Luke at 13 is as humorous, loving, likeable and ~ perhaps the most apt descriptor ~ genuine as ever.  An all-around great kid young man. 

Seniority

The end of an era is fast approaching.  A few short years ago, I stood back and watched the seniors on the team receive recognition from the coach and hugs from their moms at the final home meet.  This time it was my turn.  Jan went from a newbie practicing the basics to the leader of the pack, hoping to earn a berth at the state championship meet.  I've been timing and cheering a few of these seniors since they were freshman, and here they are now, all grown up (sorta kinda). Gulp.  Fortunately for me, Per's taking up where Jan left off, soon finishing his own freshman year on the team.  And Luke is waiting in the wings, so in a couple of years, I may have two guys in the mix again.  

I love swim season.  Scenes like this more than make up for wet towels and jammers littering the house.  

(Not) The Rest of the Story

So many of my pictures are variations upon the same themes.  Our years go 'round, highlighted by more or less the same events ~ like the week-long fair in August.

 With the usual rides...

 ...and cows.

 Birthdays with the same cakes...

 ...just older kids.

 Like this older kid ~ heading off to a brick-n-mortar school for the first time, as a freshman.  New normal for us and a good one, more or less.  Sure, my own motto for the school is, "Aim Low! You'll Never Be Disappointed", but they mean well.  I think.

 Hikes at Baker...

 ...typically with fewer joining in now...

 ...unless coerced by their mother.

 Farm tours...

...and a big ol' bus delivering farm tour attendees.

 Chefs cooking up a gourmet meal in my backyard is a new twist.

 And oolala, do those Ciao Thyme chefs delivers some exquisite food!

 The usual pumpkin farm visit, with our favorite friends.

 This year, the pumpkin farm doubled as the Christmas tree farm ~ two months later, of course.

 Some of Us Who Shall Remain Unnamed Received Very Little In the Way of Help from Others Who Shall Remain Unnamed in Putting Up This Tree.  But it worked out and looked nice.  Come to think of it, I really like this photo.  I especially like that (most of) the holes in the upholstery aren't visible.

 From axes...

 ...to Asterix...

 ...to the traditional Christmas Eve books.

 January 1, 2013 dawned cold and crisp and, once the fog lifted, clear.  The annual polar bear run & dip beckoned ~ or beckoned some of us, anyway.  Okay, it beckoned me.

 These three boys were willing to run.

But only this one was willing to join me in the dip.  So running and dipping and heading to Old Town Cafe for brunch, we welcomed the New Year.  And that's the Rest of the Story as far as 2012 is concerned.  I skipped the part about our Post-Europe Second Summer Vacation to Cancer Land ~ the gift that keeps on giving and doesn't heed a fresh calendar.  Because a whole blog post in which I relay my now-encyclopedic knowledge of advanced stage melanoma ~ mixed with a challenging marriage, no less ~ would be pretty darn un-fun ~ and for that matter, so is the reality.   But what are you gonna do? Make the best of a bad situation and keep on keepin' on.

Hiking Homeward

 There are no shortage of hiking trails in Switzerland.  But while the scenery shares much in common with that of the Pacific Northwest, the hiking itself is quite different.  

 It's a communal act in Switzerland, hiking.  Wandering through shared property.

 Mingling among grazing animals and chatting with their caretakers.

 And always, always finding a spot along the way to gain respite, take a drink, share a plate, exchange a word.  

  

 Ever present during our travels, Cactus appreciated the fresh Swiss air.

 As our vacation drew to a close, we returned to Rossalp ~ a spot worth sharing again.

  We did a bit of hiking with Leo & Beni, and Chregi the alpler (and social worker!). 

 Breathing in the mountain air...

 ...and drifting the waters, our vacation drew to a close.

Souviners...a Playmobil figure purchased at a Spanish kiosk.  A Fanta can creation from a homeless man in Barcelona.

Edelweiss flowers carved by a man encountered on an Alpine hike.  A crocheted bunny gifted to me by a Swiss nun.

Small mementos, big monuments, good memories.  Our European adventures draw to a close ~ until next time!