In early August, we took a road trip to Boise and Portland.   We drove the first leg, stayed with our friends, the Atwoods, and then drove the second leg to stay with my brother Ben and his family.  The kids did surprisingly well.  Lots of treats, movies, and new toys.  It was just enough to keep them from going crazy.  Oh, who am I kidding?  It was just eough to keep US from going crazy!
Road
Trip!
The Cousins:
Avery, Beck, James, Daphne
Cousins
AND
friends.
My brother Ben and his lovely wife, Nicki
One day we
did it all--Flugtag, the mall carousel and arcade, and then sailing down the Columbia River.
Next stop,
The Japanese Gardens.
Lots of walking,
greenery, coi, scenic views, mossy stuff,
rocky paths,
and Japanese-ishness.

Thompson Time!
We all got together
at our house for
Tom and Laura's 40th anni-
versary
Cute!
Cute!
C
u
t
e
!
Daphne started her first
day of school...preschool.
Just as I suspected she would, she ran in without looking back.  Well, except to tell me I could go.  That's my Daphne!

We took the
kids to the local farm country to ride horses and plastic cows. They got arrested.   But  they made bail.  (Dang.)