Summer Fun

It's been  a hot, rainless summer here in Camas, but in spite of that, the dogs, Marlene and I had a good one, packed with lots of activity.

During the hot days the dogs stayed in the air conditioned house for most of the time, but one day we brought out their old wading pool that they loved last summer when they were just puppies.  It didn't seem to have the same appeal this year, except for using it as a giant water bowl.

One outdoor activity that the dogs did seem to enjoy was chasing soap bubbles.  Here Marlene shows off the new power soap bubble machine we got for them.  It also makes an obnoxious quacking sound, and plays music (of a sort) while shooting bubbles out of the ducks mouth.

We had the family over to celebrate Kate's Birthday in June.  

 The kids had fun with Emmie and Norrie, blowing bubbles for them to run after.

Both Marlene and I joined Weight Watchers in April, and at this point have a combined weight loss of over 80 pounds.  The key for us, is doing it together, and helping each other keep on track.   Our cell phones allow us to keep the WW application always at hand.

 One highlight of the summer was the annual Camas Days festival.  This year West Columbia Gorge Humane Society  had an entry in the parade that goes down main street  (Actually 3rd St.)  Turns out that the "float" was Marlene's Fiat 500.    A local business supplied the vinyl press-on dog face and other items, and Marlene made the tail and ears.

                         Marlene drove the "dog car, and volunteers and dogs walked beside her.

 It wasn't all fun and games this summer, however.  I had a fall off the back step leading into the house while I was drying off the dogs.  Turns out I broke a bone in my hand and got a black eye.  I didn't even realize I had a black eye for a few days.  I also had a cast on for about a month and then a brace.  For some reason I never took a picture of either of those two things.  My hand's still a little sore, but getting better every day.

On Aug. 21 which happened to be our anniversary (13 Years)  we had an almost total eclipse of the sun.  We got the special glasses and watched it from our back yard.

                                                      The Dogs were less than impressed.

               We only went to one concert this summer, but it was a good one; CoCo Montoya.

And once again we did our volunteer stint for the Hood to Coast relay race.  The team we support is the "Bureaucratic Runarounds"  (from where I used to work, the Oregon State Employment Dept.)  This year was the first time we actually got to meet up with the team.  The pictures show us holding their symbol, scissors cutting red tape..

And the summer began to come to an end, with forestfires in the Columbia Gorge, not more than 30 miles or so from where we live.  Ash from the fires was thick and landed on everything and everywhere, including our vehicles, and us.  

It didn't stop us from doing our morning walk however and luckily we have a supply of respirators in our emergency kit, which came in handy

And our constant companions throughout the summer were Norrie and Emmie, who turned one this year.  They are full of energy and mischief, but we love them dearly.  Here is Norrie, with her constant companion, a stuffed monkey, that she hasn't so far  been able to stop from making it's irritating monkey screeches.  I think for her, it's her friends best quality.