Two Ships Passing

We enjoy going down to the Port Docks in Astoria. I find peace in going down there like I used to do with my dad when I was little. The Columbia River is approximately 4 1/2 miles across and we can see across to our neighbor, Washington. James and I went down to the docks to talk and relax and while we were there we saw two ships pass by going the opposite direction. The river can be a busy place with ships, boats and birds coming and going about.

Here comes the first ship that says, "China Shipping" going out to sea.

Teagan noticed the second ship going up river.

The two creep closer together...

...and closer!

Ohhhh!
(I am such my father's daughter, for those that know him you know.)

The Meglar Bridge is in the background that connects Astoria, Oregon to Washington State.

Teagan and I both pointing at the ships.

They made it pass each other!
This ship says,"Lauritzen Bulkers" on the side of it.

Don't worry I've got him!
I know my mom is freaking out, "He's too close to the edge!"

Teagan and I sitting on the edge of the docks.

Supper Club

I know the picture is a bit blurry, but what can you say for a camera phone. A few nights ago we went out for dinner at T Paul's Supper Club in downtown Astoria. It was so cute when James and Teagan were sharing a few goldfish snack crackers while waiting for Teagan's dinner. I just had to post it!

Say, "Ahhhhh!"

First Time at the Park!

Sunday was our first time taking Teagan to the park. We took him to the park that I often play at when I was a child, Tapiola Park in Astoria. Now that Teagan is walking we let him explore the park, the grass, and the wood chips in the play area.

Holding Daddy's hand.

Look how excited Teagan was.

"Hey, another little person like me. Hey wait, I know this little girl, it is Izzy from Ms. Debbie's Daycare! Hi Izzy!"

Onto the wood chips.

Getting into the swing for the first time, with James' help.

James pushed Teagan in the swing.

He loved it!

Going through the tube.

Going down the big slide. He is used to going down a small slide at Ms. Debbie's house, but this was a bit overwhelming for him. He held onto James finger as he went down.

Even Kiely joined us at the park.

As we were sitting on the grass the other kids at the park we screaming, laughing and chasing each other, as kids do, but Teagan kept looking over there to see what all the noise was about.

As we were walking back to the car Teagan found a "treasure", a pine cone!

Male Bonding

Yummy, Bananas!

Kiss!

Looking....

Big cranes!

This crane is on a barge on the Columbia River down at the Port Docks in Astoria. It was transferring material onto another barge, this crane was moving anchors. We watched the men work and organize this for about an hour. I'd imagine it is very dangerous, not to mention doing it is the rain and wet surfaces.

Another barge and boat helping out. James thought the equipment was for dredging the rivers.

Glass Blowing Birthday!

My birthday was on Saturday, the 10th, and James asked me what I wanted to do. We had always seen a guy at festivals and markets that has a glass blowing business right on the outskirts of Astoria, and it just so happen that a few weeks ago we saw a laddie at our local Sunday Market advertising and selling blown glass. We got the information and I told James that is what I wanted to do. So he set it up and on Friday we went out there for a little over 2 hours, while my friend Kelli, watched Teagan. Ya, date night, no baby! We had a great time, and are thinking about going back there for James' birthday, in November, to better master our skills, make glass balls, and eventually make mugs. This was a lot harder then you think. it is a many step process, and we didn't actually "blow" any glass. We made 8 egg shape paper weights, 4 each.

Clyde and Chris own Fernhill Glass.

Chris was a great instructor, who was very patient with us.

This is the small studio that we worked in.

Safety First!
(I think this is such a funny picture of James!)

This is James with the rod with glass gathered at the end. You can see a small orange ball at the end of the rod.

From the picture above we would take the glass and stick it into that orange hole to melt the gathered glass, while tuning the rod, always tuning! you have to always be turning the rod so that you don't loose your shape.

Then we would bring it to this table to shape the glass and cool it.

We would do that many times, heat and shape. We would also add color to this process and then melt in the color.

From that station above, we would come sit down, while turning the rod, to twist the glass.

Here Chris is assisting James while he takes these huge tweezers and twists the glass.

Close up of the twisting.

After the twisting, Chris would gather more glass to go over it. Then we would have to shape it with wet newspaper into a nice smooth shape.

Once you have shaped it, we would take these Jacks and start our line for the bottom of our egg.

The last station is to bring our egg over to Chris so that she can knock it off the rod.

My turn!

This is the first station. It is soooo hot that you have to wear sunglasses for protection. It was challenging to have to gather the glass, you wouldn't really know if you had any on the end of the rod 'til you brought it out. Then figuring out the right amount, too much or not enough to get you started.

Next.

Shaping and cooling.

The orange show you how hot the glass is!

It was hard to multitask, with remembering to constantly be turning the rod, using the jacks with just the right amount of pressure and not burning yourself!

Posed picture, but remembering to still be turning the rod.

Time for Chris to knock off my egg.

The next day we had to go back out there to sand the bottom of our eggs and to engrave them. Here are our eggs!

You can click on the pictures to see them closer up!

We had a great time out there, and we are happy with how they turned out!

Thanks babe!

Starbucks Moment

Last Thursday Teagan and I met my dad and Sheryl at Starbucks, inside Safeway, in Astoria. It was nice to spend a few moments with them, before I had to leave to go meet my girlfriend, Kelli, for walking. Since my dad lives in Bend, which is about 5 1/2 hours away, it is hard for him to get here to the coast to visit us. We were lucky to have had Sheryl capture some nice moments.

Teagan holding my dad's car keys.

Teagan holding onto my dad's favorite hat.

Yum!

Don't ask when the last time my dad's hat was washed!

Up he goes!

Happy baby and happy Grandpa Lee!