Banff and Birthday

Brenda and I had a chance to go with Jim and Sandra up to Canada and about 108 other model T's a couple of weeks ago and we had a blast.  We dropped the kiddos off with my parents in MT and were off for a week without the kids.  

Day one we headed to Banff from Cochorane.  Jim's T had some fuel problems so he had to ride on the trailer for some of the day, but the speedster was running great so Brenda and I continued to Lake Louise and had a 200 mile day.  You  may think to yourself "how fast can a 90 year old car actually go?".  We got the speedster up to 63, but it certainly could have gone faster than that.

The views on this day were amazing

This speedster was driven to the tour all thee way from San Jose CA.  The couple that drove it were very interesting and they have owned the car for 40 years.  This thing had a overhead valve setup and was rumored to go over 100mph.  Not bad for an engine and car that stock had 20hp and would go about 45 downhill with a strong tailwind.

Meanwhile back in Montana, our kids were up to no good.

Here we are at the lake

And here we are with the car in front of the Banff Springs Hotel.  It was pretty cool to drive through Banff and have everyone snapping pictures off you and pointing.

Meanwhile, James and Matthew were out with Grandpa fishing and having some fun.  I think Matthew lasted about 5 minutes and then went to the playground, but James stuck  it through and caught two fish.

Here is another speedster with a overhead valve setup.

We went to this one house that had a bunch of cool stuff in it and then right at the end....I saw this.  Most of you will not appreciate how rare this bike is, but if you ever do see one, immediately commence drooling.

Meanwhile, Matthew and James went to the fair and had a pony ride.

It rained a couple of days on the T Tour, so Brenda and I went in a modern car for the long day.  We jumped in this car only after trying to brave the rain and 45 degree temperatures for 14 miles and had the carburetor freeze up.  All in all, we had a great time and really love riding/driving the speedster.

This weekend I took Saturday off of work since Brenda turned 35.  For her birthday she wanted to go mini golfing and go karting, so off to the links we headed.

James and Matthew had a blast riding ass passengers, but they were kind of afraid at first.

After James got a hole in 1 on the first hole, mom had to play from behind.

On the way home we happened on a car show and saw my favorite classic car...a Dodge Charger General Lee.  For all you wacko liberals please turn your eyes...it still had a confederate flag on it.  That is the only way this car should ever be.

Here are the boys and the Birthday girl.

And last but not least is just the beginnings of the Blackberries.  We are on the verge of the harvest and in about a week we are going to have them coming out of our ears.

Flag day and Family Fun

A couple of weeks ago Brenda and I had a chance to get away while some friends took our kids to the coast camping.  This meant we had about 4 nights child free on our hands and that is all I needed to turn the key on the BMW and head out of town.  We decided we should go to Joseph OR.

The weather was perfect while we were there.  The view of Wallowas was also something to behold.

Brenda and I also got to eat a great little pub and grill.  The view was something else.

I usually do not get to be in any of the pictures, so this is just proof that I was actually here.  May I also say that the BMW does look great as well.

There was a flag day parade a couple of weeks ago and I had the kiddos all to myself in the morning so we headed out and I had to check it out.  The boys had the prime spot right in front of some older people who did not run out and get the candy that was thrown, so James and Matthew go tot take a huge bag that must have weighed about 15lbs home.  They were troopers and had a great time as well.

Go America.

The other day Matthew was messing around int he front yard before I got home and got hit in the head with the swing right before I got home.  It kind of looks like the kid is growing  horn, but it went away in a hour or two.  What a trooper.

This past weekend we had Paula, Kevin and the kids in town along with Jim and Sandi.  It has been sweltering in Spokane for the past 2-3 weeks with temperatures over 90 being the norm and a couple of days it was  well over 100.  Without AC in the house and all those guests it was a bit hot, so we took the opportunity to hit up a few of the local lakes.  A benefit of the hot temps is that the lakes have warmed up far faster then ever before and thee water temps were perfect.

Brenda and Lindsey enjoying all that Coeur d'Alene Lake has to offer.

The fast we don't have a boat did not deter this redneck yacht club from forming.

Matthew and Colin had a good time on the beach as well.  I did manage to get a  sunburn, but was thankful that it was just me and not the kiddos.  I can imagine what it is like to have a toddler with a bad sunburn...but I bet it stinks.

Matthew generally wakes up very happy and in a good mood, but does not always have such good hair.

One of the fun things I really enjoy doing with friends or family when they are in town is heading to downtown Spokane and hitting up the carousel.  A fun time was had by all riding it twice.

The fact that Matthew does not know how to write or read did not deter him from playing "Words with Friends".  Why should it stop him, it does not stop me.

 We had a chance to snap a family pic at Manito Park and it turned out quite nice.  We had a blast with all of the family in town and I was just glad to get a few days off of work.