On Sunday we headed to a creek in Carkeek Park. The salmon are spawning and we got a closeup look of the fish. This was the real deal. 18-24 inch salmon navigate the turbulent waters to a gravel area perfect for spawning. The expired fish attract predators and can be seen all along the banks of the creek.

Edited to add a video of the giant fish!

The action will last all month!

Here is Étienne wearing the awesome Tyrannosaurus hoodie that Grandma Nancy gave him last Christmas.

I took the boys to Archie McPhee's today. Here they are proudly showing off the free items they got. I bought a new box of pirate band-aids, seen on the counter to the right.

Last Saturday morning I took Carl for an overnight with Jane. Forecasts showed our first big storm would hit. The skies were gray and wind gusts topped 40 mph. I elected to take a most direct route through Shoreline to the Burke-Gilman trail. My friend Kevin joined us. He is training for a fun ride in San Francisco with some professional cyclists.

Along the was we encountered a few downed lines, no power lines, and trees.

The wind was fairly calm and we did not get any rain on the way there. The Google maps route came out to an even 19 miles one way. I am still warming up to King Counties "Interurban Trail" with two way bicycle on one side of the road and instructions for motorists to cross, not merge for right turns. We successfully navigated all the hazards and made it to Jane's in 1 hour and 30 minutes.

On the return, I switched bikes to a single. Jane stored the tandem for me. The trees crossing the trail, see above, were all cleared for our return trip. Kevin and I elected to take the Burke-Gilman most of the way home. It was a longer ride but avoided the busy streets we used to get there. There was a light drizzle but no real wind. I did not even put on my rain gear.

We finished the ride with another 23 miles on the odometer. One feature of living at the North end of Ballard is that all rides end with a 300 foot climb. Thank you Kevin for joining me for the ride.

Last Halloween, we had been in our house just over a month and the kids all got costumes the weekend before. We were slightly more organized this year, but not much.

Veronica planned her own costume with her posse, and I never got a photo of all three kids together. Here, Carlton and Étienne try out their costumes as the Grim Reaper and Boba Fett. (I need to get a video of Étienne singing the Boba Fett Song.)

Veronica as a Minion from Despicable Me.

On Thursday, the boys had Halloween parties at school and got to wear their costumes. Carl makes slime, and Étienne got his face painted by a parent since he wasn't allowed to war his mask to school.

Bonus photo of our neighbor Aoife visiting big sister Maddy's classroom dressed as a Strawberry Fairy!

On Halloween night, both Veronica and Carlton went out with their friends to trick-or-treat. Godmother Jane came over to walk the neighborhood with Étienne, Steve went to play racquetball, and I stayed home to hand out candy. Étienne ready to go out, next to our Yoda jack-o-lantern (which I carved!) With the neighbor kids from both sides... four 7 & 8 year olds in three houses! Ava: "Wait, let me put on my tail!"

Veronica's posse stopped by and emptied out about 1/3 of the candy bowl.

Happy Halloween! Can you believe it's already November?

Today was the home meet of the Rain City Flyers! Veronica & Étienne are very familiar with the course in Woodland Park, since they run it at least twice a week.

Since it is five days until Halloween, there were lots of costumes, pumpkins, and decorations. Étienne on the starting line in a pink t-shirt & Rain City Flyers jersey!

Étienne running his 2K, and crossing the finish line!

Steve took the boys to a concert at Benaroya Hall that our neighbor Erin was playing in right after Étienne's race, and he took the camera so I don't have any photos of Veronica. However, she was the first Rain City Flyer 13/14 girl to finish, and seventh overall, so she received an individual ribbon! Étienne did not finish in the top 8 of 7/8 boys, but the Rain City Flyer boys took first place, so he got a team ribbon. Final times: Veronica 4K, 17:13. Étienne 2K, 11:17.

This was the last regular meet of the season, but in three weeks is the Pacific Northwest Junior Olympic Championships so Veronica & Étienne will keep practicing!

If you follow this post at all, you recognize the style, subject, and form in the following wall picture:

Guess the artist and win a second dessert after dinner tonight. You can win as many time as you want, just be sure to finish your dinner first.

On Saturday, Étienne lost his left canine tooth, and on Monday, he lost his right. So the Tooth Fairy has been busy and Étienne has been raking in the dough!

On Saturday, October 19, Carlton received an award for Honesty. Each cabin at summer camp nominated one member for each of the four core values. Over 800 parents and campers filled Town Hall. Directors of both Orkila and Coleman presented an inspirational program detailing the mission and core values of the local Y.

Each recipient wore a nametag with their award. Some campers dressed up. The Y Board of Directors walked about talking to the campers about their experience at camp.
The hosts peppered the presentation with great stories, video, and a few camp songs. Do you know the Jellyfish song? Ask Carl. Here is a camper talking about Honesty.

Reading of Carl's name.

Good job Carl.

Yesterday was the second true cross-country race of the season (the Glider Miler wasn't a full-distance race) and the first one Veronica got to do as last week she was on a church retreat. I was still recovering from the creeping crud that has been going around work the last two weeks so Steve took everyone, and Cousin Jane joined them.

Yesterday's meet was hosted by the Cascade Striders in Bellevue. Here, Étienne checks out the course before the start.

Lining up at the start... with the rabbit out in front.

Étienne running!

Crossing the finish line, and final results for 7 & 8 year-olds.

Veronica lined up at the start (first white jersey on the left, with pink shoes!)

Running down the chute!

Crossing the finish line, and results for 13 & 14 year-olds.

The Rain City Flyers 7&8 year-old boys team placed first, so Étienne got a medal!

After the race was Uncle Carroll & Aunt Carol-Ann's annual cider press. Here Carl and Veronica add apples to the hopper to be shredded.

Veronica operates the press!

Uncle Carroll and the Easter Bunny! (Why?)

Carl watches cousins Mark and Dan juggling balls.

Steve brought home a gallon of apple cider for us to enjoy!