Sunday, June 7, 2009

Campout with Mr. Gaebel

Porter looks forward to this all year.

Well, not as much as he looks forward to the church Fathers & Sons campout. But almost. (Unfortunately, you won't see a post about that weekend last month, because I have no pictures -- cuz i wasn't there.  Porter & Dave were too busy having fun to take pix of themselves having fun.  And I understand.)

So, anyway, Mr. Gaebel is the principal of our elementary school. He's a really great guy and the kids love him. Every spring for the past few years, de Portola turns into something of a tent city on a Friday night. There's a live band playing 80's music, powerful telescopes for star gazing, a movie projected onto the handball court, and a pancake breakfast the next morning.

Here's Porter & Dave headed down the street to the school with all the essentials for the overnight.


And setting up the smallest tent in the bunch -- Dave's 1 1/2 man backpacking tent!


And here's how the tent city looked at 6am when I returned (i couldn't just leave the girls at home alone, could I?!?) to help serve the pancake breakfast to the tent sleepers!


Thought you'd enjoy this shot of my neighbor, Laura, commandeerig the power tools to mix up the first (of several) batch(es) of pancake batter.  :-)  And, that's Mr. Gaebel in the background.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Happy Mother's Day to ME!

When Dave asked me what I wanted for Mother's day lunch, I responded with the first thing that popped into my head -- Hamburgers.  He was not impressed & tried to get me to choose something else -- Porkchops on the Grill?  Salmon?  Perhaps, Surf & Turf?  Nope.  I'd like h-a-m-b-u-r-g-e-r-s. (feeling stubborn, I guess)

My Favorite Cooks in the Kitchen.
(they did all the dishes too!)


Anyhow, 
here's how Dave doctored up my lame, boring request.
Hamburgers...with ALL the toppings.
Bleu cheese. Mushrooms. Grilled Onions. 
Bacon. Swiss Cheese.
And the list goes on.
All the way to dessert -- homemade Apple Pie. Yum!

Here's the mountain Dave created for himself.


And what would Mother's Day be without flowers?  Porter designed & 'built' this bouquet for me as a part of a Cub Scout fundraiser. Thanks Porter!  They are beautiful!

Just in Case You Were Wondering --

Here's what Porter (& his photographer, Abbie) 
have been up to recently! 

It's been at least a year since Porter has had a bath.
Seriously.


OK. He does shower occasionally.
(but only under acute duress)
Who woulda thunk it? 
Bathing is actually a lot of FUN!
Perhaps he'll do it more willingly in the future.
(Wouldn't hurt MY feelings.)
Uhhh. . . I wonder whose idea this was?