Bluegrass, Mud, and Wine....how could you go wrong

So last weekend (a long long time ago) Brenda and I headed up to Newport Wa fort the Bluegrass festival that was held up there.  We had a good idea of the bands that were going to be there so we wanted to go and check it out.  Turns out we aged the crowd down considerably when we got there, but I was not deterred and we were able to spend the entire Saturday listening to Bluegrass and relaxing in the amazing weather.

At one point James was tired of all the old people music and we had to bring out the electric toothbrush Brenda got him which he loves.  Those batteries are about dead by now.

Kevin Pace and the Early Edition are a great band with good harmony and good down home gospel music for the masses.

Is anyone ready to go home....let me guess.

My favorite part about the day is when I get home and especially when James has a bath and then get to run around the house.  I of course like to do the same, but for some reason I cannot fit on the horse.

Is that about the cutest thing you have seen or what.

This past weekend we had the day free and just bummed around the house for most of the time, but had contemplated going to some mud bog races.  Seeing as my wife tends to have way more get up and go than I do, she decided we should go and I agreed.  I am glad I did, otherwise I would not have got to see the worst mullet in mud bog history.

How can anyone think that this is an appropriate way to let your kid walk around.  I figured I should be on the phone with social services because this kid is seriously getting abused...that is just wrong.

Meantime it was time for all of the trucks to rev the engine and parade around.  They were amazingly loud and those guys loved to make them as ridiculous as possible.  Then came the time when I felt like the worst parent in the world.  The lady next to us was obviously prego and must have weighed about 85lbs soaking wet.  She was painfully skinny and was sucking down cigarettes at a rate that would rival the Marlboro man and then.....there she was....giving me earplugs for my kid.  I know I should have been more prepared, but just when I think I am a good parent compared to others I am reminded not to be so judgemental and there is always room for improvement.  She was very kind to give James earplugs and I thanked her profusely.

Lots of these.

Not even sure where you get tires that big, but I pretty sure they are off a tractor.

Mullet kid cheering on the racers.  Hard to believe his dad was out there racing....no, not hard to believe at all.

Yesterday we had friends take care of James and headed to Arbor Crest Winery for a concert on the lawn and a time to relax.

The winery has the best view overlooking Spokane Valley.

And then looking towards Spokane.

Another basic winery picture.

The band and some statue blowing water out of two straws....real classy place.  The band played a lot of Buffett and some James Taylor along with others.  We had a great time and it was the most perfect weather you could ask for.

This evening I was out in the garage and James was acting like a crazy kid laughing at anything and just being all around a good time.

Blue camo is the new black.

He is teething a lot trying to get the back molars in and I guess he liked this allen wrench as a  teething ring.

There was this crazy guy at the concert..he danced like this the whole time.

James running around the garage and acting like a crazy.

A little of this and a little of that.

There is not much as far as continuity in this post except James it seems and I had a hard time coming up with a title.  No need to go on and on about this and that so I will jump right in with picture descriptions.

I have never seen popcorn before, but here it is.  Friends who watch James gave us this and after a few minutes in the microwave this is what it looks like.  Corn at our place did not turn out so good this year, but I am interested to try popcorn next year if I get a chance.

James has gotten the hang of eating corn and does not seem to mind if it is a bit over ripe.

He sometimes like to eat and sometimes can be quite the bugger.  We cannot figure out any real reason behind either, but believe that it just may be the stubborn attitude of his heart.  I have that problem too sometimes.

Here is the result of being 32 and acting like you are 12.  I was riding one of the articulating skateboards that has one wheel in the front and one in the back.  It is actually not that hard to get on and ride, but it is when I started to try new things like turning where I ran into issues.  Skinned elbow and knee as well as a black and blue hip will remind me of of lack of agility as I age. 

It is hard to imagine how uncoordinated I will be when James gets to be 16, but hopefully it will not get to bad.

Pig Out in the Park was happening this weekend in Spokane where there were 100 food vendors and lots of free music.  James had a great time Friday when we went there.

This is the first time he ever let us put glasses on him without him freaking out and ripping them off.

On Saturday we headed down to Jim and Sandi's house for some R&R and also to see them.  Jim and I had a chance to work on the newest Model T, and I also got a chance to drive one of the others out and around the countryside.  Driving one of those old cars is a great time and way more fun than driving a new car.  There is a lot to think about and it takes way more skill.

Back at home I finally got the engine of the bike back together for the second time and the bike fired right up.  I am still tracking down some electrical gremlins that are driving me nuts and the bike still does not seem to be 100%, but it is sounding great.  James and I were out in the garage and I was working on the ignition points using the multimeter.  Right when I put the probe down there James was right there picking it up and running his own diagnostics on the bike.  I was looking for all the help I could get and any new ideas at that time so the help was welcome.

Here is the bike now.  I got new mufflers for the bike and it makes the bike a lot quieter, although it is still quite loud.  I found out mufflers are required by Washington law so they had to be added...crazy government laws infringing on my rights.

The opposite view of the bike, man that bike looks awesome, now if I can only those minor issues figured out we should be all set.