Halloween Weekend - Happy Birthday Dad!

Traditions!! the kids pick a costume - we had some repeats this year except for the holes cut out in the sheet.

We go to Lloyd, Mary and Cody's house every year and trick-or-treat in their neighborhood.

Dad inspects all the candy and everyone eyes each other's booty (and negotiates trades).


But the Grand Finale is the best.... we celebrate dad's birthday on the 1st of November.

It takes at least 3 days to 2 weeks to celebrate properly - it involves a lot of spiderwebbing and chocolate and full participation by all the family members.

It's no wonder Halloween is one of our favoritist hollidays of the year. Ignoring the scary stuff is a minor inconvenience to such a grand event.

Afternoon in the Gorge

Remembering Grandpa

Grandpa was endless... I don't know how long it will take me to realize he passed away on October 18th. I didn't get any pictures of all the family getting together to honor him or Mom and Carol's reading of his autobiography. I will always remember the moment I learned how frustrating his blond curls were to him and how much he enjoyed passing them on to a great-granddaughter - a girl who could show off the beautiful menace. I think Trinity is just as frustrated with her hair, honestly. I hadn't noticed 'til after the funeral how she eats and uses scissors with her left hand. Maybe she inherited more than we know from Grandpa!

I know I grew up feeling like a celebrity. Grandpa was king of the grocery world in Scappoose and I was oldest granddaughter, working at his store, daughter of his oldest daughter. I carried the weight of being known by people I didn't know. I think I was more shy for it instead of claiming any birthright, but Grandpa's family isn't into public speaking and stuff like that, so I don't think they noticed.

Grandpa was timeless to me - always standing tall and strong. That's how I remember him.

Kristi

We enjoyed hanging out with Kristi for a day - what a great aunt, sister, and FRIEND!!!

October & Pumpkins and Stuff

Fall Fun at the Shop

Lowering the "shop truck" with bag suspension

Wrapping up summer projects

We're in the Quick Connect for the second time!

Jeremy painting the Mopar

Kids eating MacDonalds on the curb

THE PRANK - after hours painting Russ's car pink

whippin' out some nice rides

Playing after work

Back to School

End of the World Rod Run, 2009

We had a car show!

I think this is one of the longest-standing wishes on Jeremy's life-long list.... to host his own car show.

As the event fades into memory, the work involved disappears and what's left is gratefulness for all the friends and family that supported us... all the guys that brought out their vehicles... Andy and The Dragons with a full band and great music.... Angie and Jon bringing structure and enthusiasm to the registration and raffle tables.... hanging out with Katie and Nick having the most fun ever staying all day at a show.... Suki's balloons, what a great kid-project around classic cars! I don't think we could have done it without Amy Dunn's help - she was everywhere supporting and sharing ideas. It was cool to have our crew out for the day to hang out for fun.

Of course my mind jumps to next year... all the people I want to contact to participate, how to pull together a bigger raffle and get more cars in. What pizzaz we can add that would be cool (and safe!) And then I'm ready to just close the box on Car Shows for a few more months....