Fright Fest 2023

Cora and I ran over to Magic Mountain on Thursday after school to see our favorite witch.

It was the first Thursday Fright Fest of the season, and being it was still September, we figured it would be one of the least crowded times to be at the park.

We were right! We had a great time together, and were able to ride seven rides with basically no wait time.

 

I was happy to be out spending time with my girl, and thought this Oktoberfest photo opp was screaming out for our photo. Cora obliged, kind of.

Woodsy Walk

 We took a lovely after-church walk on Sunday, and Violet brought her camera. Such beauty every direction

These giant garden spiders are everywhere, too.

We had such a great trip! Thanks to Aunt Patty and Uncle Bill for a lovely respite from the grind.

Kayaking at Rattlesnake Lake

 After the car show, we headed out to Rattlesnake Lake, a beautiful spot to take out the kayaks.

Violet really enjoyed her time on the water, kayak and tree stumps.

With her new camera, she also took some great photos of a nearby chipmunk.

Such a great day! Perfect temperature, beautiful scenery, great company.

Car Utopia

Redmond has a fancy car show most Saturdays, and we chose to come up this particular weekend because it featured a special focus on English cars. 

So many cars!! Uncle Bill, William and Miles all walked around with Stace. You can see Uncle Bill  with his arms wide out, in the grey shirt, in this photo.

Stace was impressed with this 1930s era Formula 1 car that won the 1936 London Grand Prix. He said that you can see old news reel of it winning the race.

He also liked these Ariel Atoms, made in Crewkerne, Somerset.

We had nearly a full day in Redmond on Monday before flying home, and Will came over so the three guys could work on the Firebird. Stace got filthy!

Men doing manly things.

Redmond 2023!

Stace, Violet and I made a took a long-weekend trip to Redmond, to visit Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty, and for Stace and Uncle Bill to attend a fancy car show full of English specialty vehicles.

Violet was happy to miss school for two days, while Cora felt like she really couldn't miss rehearsal for her upcoming play. 

We had a great time, soaking up the last bit of Northwest warmth with a kayaking trip, hiking in the woods, and seeing the cousins.
 

Alison, Tyler and Lupin spent one of the nights, and Alison, Vi and Aunt Patty created watercolor artwork.

We had a firepit one evening, with Will, Anna and Miles.

I was happy there were still a few blackberries to pick.

These little guys are so fun to watch! What a blessing they have, growing up together.

Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty fed and watered us well!

Blackberry crisp with the fresh blackberries, and a from-scratch apple pie. Oh my!

Saturday Fun with the Girls

We returned from our getaway Friday night, and on Saturday, had Ellie over while her parents worked. 

I woke up to Gregorny again hanging out in the microwave. I kept myself from screaming this time when I spotted him.

 

Liana came over for the day, too, and I took the girls to Hobby Lobby  and then to Seafood City next door. Ellie had a lot of fun shopping with the big girls.

In the evening, we went to the pool for a little while. Ellie loves the pool! She's in a floatie ring here in the middle, while Liana and Violet toss a football around (see it circled?).

San Juan Capistrano Mission

We hadn't visited the San Juan Capistrano Mission in many years, and I was interested in having another look. It's a great day out - history, museum, gardens, shop.

The mission was founded in 1776, the seventh of 21 missions in the state. This large church collapsed in a big earthquake in 1812.

So many beautiful vantage points.

The mission is famous for the swallows that returned each spring for many years, though they now nest in other places in the same town.

The museum told of the history of the mission and its inhabitants, including the Spanish missionaries and the native Californians.

This chapel is the last one still standing where Father Junipero Serra, now sainted, celebrated Mass.

Stace and I enjoyed our afternoon at the mission.