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Silverton Art Festival + Mom

My mom had a booth featuring some of her watercolor paintings at the Silverton Fine Arts Festival this summer. She is normally an artist as a hobby while working full-time in a state government job. So we were all very proud of her for "putting her stuff out there."

Isn't it lovely?

James was having a grumpy-don't-take-my-picture kind of day, but I did manage to get this one.

Daphne only has take-my-picture-now-take-another-one-with-this-pose kind of days.

We enjoyed the shade and playground.

There are many opportunities to create your own art at the festival.

Daphne using her newfound magical powers on my brother.

Monday Art - The Big Fight

Daphne had the idea to create a little book as a gift for her friend's birthday. I picked up this blank book at Lakeshore and drew in some lines for the text. Daphne came up with the story, incorporating herself (of course), the birthday girl, the birthday girl's sister, and James as characters. She worked on it a little bit each day for a couple of weeks. There were nine pages of text and their accompanying pictures. Quite the process!

It turned out a bit more violent than I'd hoped. There are three mean pirates (all named "Pirate") with toothy blue sneers, boxes of hot lava, and the birthday girl in grave peril.

(Click the image to enlarge if the colored pencil is hard on your eyes)
But not to worry...
Yes, that was James the Hero pictured winking on the front cover. All is well.

Baseball Camp

The kids did a week-long camp with their BFFs last month at Southwest Community Center. Coach Blaine runs all the little kid sports camps - he's great. He has the patience of a saint and he remembers all the kids' names.

Practicing "Point, Step, Throw!"


On to batting...
And base running (counterclockwise is key)



Obligitory "adjusting" photo (it's baseball, after all)
Fielding. As you can see, what their field positions lack in effectiveness is redeemed by the cuteness factor.
"Baseball!"

Welcome Baby Penelope!

Penelope is here! Pete and I get to be Uncle and Aunt for the first time ever! Daphne and James get to be cousins! Thanks, Julie (Pete's sister) and Dustin! Can you tell we are excited?!?!

Uncle Pete!

Cousins! Auntie Me!

Grammie and Great Grandma Woods
Oh, and of course Mom and Dad!

Grandpa and his 2 favorite granddaughters!