Keeners

 

September 8 was Noah’s first day of second grade at this new school and Kaara’s first day of Kindergarten (actually her preview – her first full day was September 10). They both had great days and seem to really be enjoying school.

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In August we went camping at Ft. Stevens State Park. We visited Ft. Clatsop and Cape Disappointment to learn more about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, ate at Pig ‘N Pancake, went geocaching, and bike riding.

We picked a site that was close to the playground and the amphitheater so the kids could participate in the Jr. Ranger program (both got their badges). They had lots of “free range” time and nary a complaint about no TV or video games.

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Kaara is 5 years old! She chose a Spongebob Squarepants theme (oddly, Spongebob was also Noah’s 5th birthday theme). We had ordered a cake from Fred Meyer and went to pick it up the morning of her birthday only to find out the cake maker’s car had been stolen and she hadn’t made it to work yet. The manager called another Fred Meyer and had them start making the cake while we drove there to pick it up. We arrived home just as Grandma and Grandpa Knock arrived. We then had lunch (sub sandwiches for the grownups and chicken nuggets for the kids), followed by present opening and then cake and ice cream.

Later we went to Out of This World Pizza for dinner.

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We went to the Hillsboro 4th of July parade in the morning and found it to be a real slice of hometown America. People threw candy from the floats for the kids. Another family loaned us a bag for Noah and Kaara to hold what they collected (they filled the bag!).

We came home, watched Johnny Tremain, and then had fried chicken for dinner. Then Pat’s mom and grandma came up for a couple of days to visit.

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