Thinking of restarting blog...

After downloaded over 500 pictures from my phone today, I decided that maybe I should start up V's blog again.  So, this is a test - let's hope it works and it's as easy as everyone tells me it is.

This pictures of Chris is Vis from our January trip to Tavarua, Fiji.  We are traveling from the main island of Fiji to the island of Tavarua by boat.

A great little class

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Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

15 kids, mostly girls. We are very excited!

All ready to go in!

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Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

Beautiful day for a walk and starting school

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Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

First day of Kindergarten

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Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

Ready to walk to school on the first day!

Dad and Daughter Breakfast at Genie's means

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Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

JUMBO HOT CHOCOLATE with lotsa whip cream!

Smiling face from Breakfast with Gramma and Grampapa

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Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

The Swedish Invasion

Uncle John, Aunt Dana, and the cousins (David and Taylor) returned to the US from Gothenburg Sweden where they currently live and stayed with us in Portland for a few days. They were very happy to be back in the US, and did quite a bit to improve the local economy visiting both the Nike and the Adidas employee stores, and enjoying meals out at resturants.

It was great to see them and it is quite amazing what happens when you don't see kids for almost 2 years . . . they grow . . . BIG. Wow.

We had fun, it was great to see them.

With Uncle John

With Uncle John
Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

VK with Taylor and David

VK with Taylor and David
Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

Hanging with Dad at the airport

Hanging with Dad at the airport
Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

Waiting for the Swedish Invasion to begin

Waiting for the Swedish Invasion to begin
Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

So excited to see her cousins!!

VK is very lake friendly. She did this all day.

The Packer wake boarding machine

The Packer wake boarding machine
Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

Andrea and VK checking out the action at the lake

Andrea and VK checking out the action at the lake
Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

Andrea and Lisa

Andrea and Lisa
Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

It was great to see the Packers, too much time passes between visits. What is it with life that we often let important things slip by?

Mara at the lake

Mara at the lake
Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

The Packer place is dog friendly so between Mara, Miley and Thor there was plenty of dog action.

Mara spent much of the weekend in the lake swimming herself silly. She is plain tuckered out and snoring on the floor as I write this.

The Packer Cabin

The Packer Cabin
Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

We spent the weekend with the Packers and the Andersons at Phillips Lake in Shelton, WA. Lovely time

VK & Joe at the Tabor Concert

VK & Joe at the Tabor Concert
Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

Busy 4th of July at Mt. Tabor

We had a busy and fun filled 4th of July.

It started with a little breakfast at Wimbledon, watching the Ladies final, then on to the Mt. Tabor parade and bar-b-que on the west side of Tabor which involved a fire truck, a gazillion kids on bikes, trikes and scooters. tons of fun running around in the water hanging with neighbors and friends.

After that we came home did a little yard/garden work. Planting Jack the new blueberry bush. Jack now resides next to Jill our other blueberry.

Then early in the evening we went up the street for a lovely neighborhood party which involved bunches of kids, a trampoline, games, food, beer and fireworks.

These sort of things really make me love living where we live.

Mt. Tabor 4th of July Neighborhood Party: The Finale

4th of July: Kidfest

4th of July: Kidfest
Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

Dozens of kids of all ages. Sparklers, smoke bombs, squirt guns abound. Hopped up on Hot Dogs and popsicles. Lots of stuff blowing up overhead. How sweet is that for a kid?

4th of July: Carnage

4th of July: Carnage
Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

This was before stuff started leaving the ground, we had to do many clean up sessions to make room for more boom boom.

4th of July: Firework combo

4th of July: Firework combo
Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

With the wealth of pyrotechnics this was common, many things blowing up at the same time.

4th of July: It begins

4th of July: It begins
Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

Neighborhood 4th of July Celebration, the start of unleashing a ridiculous amount of pyrotechnics upon Mt. Tabor.

VK gets the Fire Fighter Nozzle training.

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Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

VK does the rain dance

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Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

Our free spirited daughter ran and danced in the water like a maniac. Clearly she wasn't dressed for getting wet, but she didn't care.

Unleashing the water on a hot 4th of July

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Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

After the parade they parked the fire truck, hooked up to a hydrant and sprayed water in the street for an hour. Everyone got into the action running around and getting soaked. Awesome!

The Parade!!

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Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

All the neighborhood kids lined up behind the fire truck.

VK Rides in the parade

All ready for the parade.

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Originally uploaded by robisonpdx

VK decorated her Razor scooter in red, white and blue and lined up behind the fire truck to take a tour around the MT. Tabor neighborhood for the 4th of July Parade. That's Julian next to her.