September saw the family spending Labor Day weekend with the
Dillon/Blackburn family in Hood River Oregon, where the kids played and
parents biked and ran. Rachel and Kayla started school.
Rachel began a half-day program at Kayla's school, and enjoys it a lot.
Kayla comes into her class as a helper once weekly, which is fun for
both of them. Paul went to Australia on business (see the pictures
here), while Kris and the kids hosted Grandma
and Grandpa, played with friends, and dug potatoes at home.
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Rachel playing during her last day at preschool.
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Miss Lita helps Rachel use the juicer to prepare for Rachel's farewell party.
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Rachel gets Miss Diep by the nose.
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... and they enjoy a good laugh over it.
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Rachel and Miss Sarah, who was her teacher twice.
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Kayla lights up a smile for the camera.
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Playing dress-up with friends.
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Kris laughing at the table.
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At the Center House, overlooking the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon.
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A family picture of the sometimes cooperative.
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Rachel riding a bike on the Dillon/Blackburn porch in Hood River OR.
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Kris sitting on the porch and relaxing after our drive down.
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Rosalie shows us how to ride a bike while dressed for speed.
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Kris and Rachel walking in the wind, along the beach in Hood River.
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Kayla plays in the sand.
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Kiteboarders filling the waves and sky.
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A kiteboarder riding the river.
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They get some serious air too.
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Rachel bundled up against the wind.
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A rose in the Dillon/Blackburn yard.
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Althea shows us her "face".
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... and now shows us her real face.
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Rosalie and Rachel coloring.
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Rosalie smiles while coloring.
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Althea reads in the yard.
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Kayla and Althea hanging out together.
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Two friends enjoying the sun.
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Catching bugs.
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Making sure the bugs have enough air.
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Paul Blackburn, one of our gracious hosts in Hood River.
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Kris enjoyed a great bike ride with Paul. Here they're relaxing in the yard afterwards.
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The Dillon/Blackburn home, from the back.
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Hiking with Julie and Ajay, friends who moved to Hood River earlier this year.
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Enjoying the view from the top of a waterfall.
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Rachel with Julie and Ajay.
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Rachel's great smile.
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Kayla playing along the water.
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Looking out to Mount Hood.
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Rachel's the gate at Panorama Point.
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Kayla, age 7 and keeper of a sweet smile.
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Rachel climbing up the side of the wall with Kris' help. Paul was cringing behind the camera.
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Another angle.
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Kayla tried it too.
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Out at the beach.
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Two bathing beauties.
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The view out to the mighty river from the Dillon/Blackburn house.
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Rachel visits her cubby during a tour of her new school.
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Getting ready for the first day of school.
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Kayla puts on her shoes.
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The two sisters walk up to class on the first morning of school.
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Rachel's just a little taller than her backpack. The calculus book tends to tip her over.
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Hanging up her stuff in the cubby.
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Checking out the bathtub in the library.
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Settling in to play on the first morning.
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Out to dig potatoes.
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Riding on the tractor.
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Smiling after the ride.
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Digging in the dirt.
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Visiting with Lee Ann and Gavin one evening.
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I think they're part reptile. Look at those tongues!
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Grandma fixing Kayla's hair one morning over breakfast.
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"Yogurt Lips"
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Swinging at the playground.
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Rachel likes to swing too.
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Kicking the soccer ball around.
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Playing soccer and swinging at the same time.
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Rachel hasn't gotten the hang of not using her hands yet.
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Pure joy.
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... and again.
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