The Blanding Bugle

Volume 20 Issue 10

Oct 2011

Bye to Kray

It was sad, but we said good-bye to Kray for four months. Steve and Kray took off on September 7th. It was bitter sweet. Kray is going to have a great time in Hawaii but we are going to miss him. 

Steve was able to bring back some beautiful shots of Hawaii and the reports from Kray are that he is missing home but enjoying his time there. 

He has a job washing dishes and he bought a long board to use as transportation.

Not long after he started classes he called to inform us that he is changing his major to Marketing. 

SEATTLE

Seldom does Labor Day weekend turn out to be so beautiful for those living in Seattle. This year it was gorgeous.  The Saturday of Labor Day weekend, Matt held his Eagle Project and it was gorgeous for the project. So gorgeous in fact that in the afternoon the family went to Seattle for a day of fun.  They ended up at the Aquarium.

Then on Labor Day, Doreen got in her first of many long runs: 13 miles.  Next the whole family went to Seattle to visit the EMP. Kray had been begging to go so the family went.

click for more pictures

Running and Running

To celebrate a year in remission and her 42nd Birthday, Doreen ran 42 miles in September.  She ran 12 miles each weekend and then added them up. In fact, if you include her other runs, she did more than 42 miles (one for each year of her life) and ran a total of 68 miles!

She is running in preparation for another marathon for TNT. She is running the Seattle Marathon on November 21st. She hopes to raise another $1500 to help fund research for cancer.

Doreen is excited to start her second year in remission! It has been a long battle but every day is a good day.

School and Soccer

It must be September because the kids are back in school and out on the soccer fields.

The kids are enjoying a variety of classes this year. Matt and Mike are taking an intensive writing course in addition to the writing they do for their mom.

Each of the kids has music lessons. Jessie is still excelling at the piano and when Jason has time he teaches her drums. Chris has picked up the guitar (using Kray's electric) and is having a grand time learning to play. He also continues to study the piano. Matt continues his music studies in both the saxophone and piano. Mike has picked up his bass again and is taking lessons.

Jessie is taking an art class and LOVES it. She is drawing all the time.

Jason is at BC and taking high level math classes and some "other stuff."  He continues to do well. 

Jessie and Chris are playing soccer this year. Each are on very good teams and so far they have flawless records. They have both scored a few times and are having lots of fun. Of course, Doreen is the head coach. 

Doreen is lucky in that she is using Steve Coach's Clock to help manager her players playing time. 

I'll post pictures next month.

Eagle Project

For Matt's Eagle Project he put on a Children's Safety Fair. He invited the police and fire departments to come put on four classes for the children of our neighborhoods.  It was the Saturday of Labor Day weekend and he was afraid not many would come but he had a lot of kids show up.

Participants were able to listen to four classes: Fire Safety, Earthquake Safety, Stanger Danger and Lost Child.  Not on the program, but very much appreciated, was show and tell by both the police and fire departments.  The police opened up their vehicles and let the children explore.  Not to be outdone, the firemen then turned on their hoses and let the children (and we had some pretty big "children") have a turn at the fire hose.

Inside there were information booths. The most important was a photo ID booth where Steve and our friend, Josh, took pictures of the kids and put them on printed ID sheets where the children could put their vital stats and fingerprints. 

It was a great activity!

Matt in charge!

Matt and the three Firemen.

Matt and the Police Officers.

Mike looks right at home in the back seat of a police cruiser.
Let's hope this is the ONLY time.

Steve hard at work putting the photos
on the kid's ID cards.

Matt taking a turn.

A welcoming hand shake.

Kray asking questions.
How did he get so tall?