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Bend Adventures
March 30, 2013 by Adam in Family
We're taking a little rest at our B&B after running around all day. I've had fun playing with the new panorama photo features of my phone, which appeared with the latest software upgrade. Hopefully this turns out okay. A hiker was walking by, so he ended up getting cloned during the process:
Thursday night we had Sam and Emma over for dinner. I played Civilization 5 with Sam and then we all ran around the backyard, enjoying the sun. Joanna arrived to whip up a tasty dinner. We played more in the evening and then I ran them home to Jamie's before their beach trip.
Friday morning was spent getting Duncan and Berry ready to go to Portland with their dad. While Joanna went to the chiropractor, I got the webcams working and replaced the batteries on the motion sensor. No intruders so far.
The drive to Bend was uneventful. Joanna read her mom's diaries for entertainment purposes (mom - burn yours unless you want your children alternately amused, horrified, and intrigued). We stopped by Sister's to go into a yarn store (I'm a good husband) and mochas (Joanna is a good wife). We rolled into our quirky B&B before dinner and then walked to the shops at the Old Mill for pasta.
After dinner we found a place that teaches west coast swing and we had a fabulous time. I learned enough moves to be dangerous. Joanna and I wildly cavorted among the retired couples and the sixteenish boys and girls learning to flirt on the dance floor. It made me want to take classes again when we get back to town.
This morning we had a fabulous breakfast of quiche and plenty of coffee. After a stroll by the river we decided to take the advice of one of the elderly locals from the dance lesson and go hiking by the falls. The weather has been amazing and we ended up in short sleeve shirts by ten. Eventually we wore ourselves out and hung out in downtown Bend.
We found a toy store for souvenirs and a great comic book shop that Joanna actually seemed to enjoy almost as much as I. The kids should be properly spoiled upon our arrival. After finally finding a lunch place that was open, we retreated to our room for a short rest before striking out again on more adventures.
For amusement purposes, here's one more panorama of our morning hike. Joanna ended up a floating head:
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Belated Update
March 27, 2013 by Adam in Family
It's been a while. Life has calmed down to some degree. Joanna's feeling much better after a mostly relaxing weekend. Sam and Emma are at their mom's, and Duncan and Berry have been spending the day with their dad, who flew in for Spring Break. Joanna and I have arranged a weekend getaway to Bend without children, something that hasn't happened in nearly a year.
The weekend was generally pretty fun, if slightly chaotic. We opted to celebrate Easter a week early, breaking out the egg dye and stuffing the kids with chocolate. They all seemed to enjoy the books we got them as well. Emma spent a good long while in the hammock on Sunday, reading her Adventure Time book.
Sam and I played a WWI flight simulator together for awhile, then wandered over into Civilization 5. We never did find each others cities, so it wasn't as exciting as I'd hoped.
Joanna and I went out to dinner last night. Looking forward to seeing Sam and Emma tomorrow for dinner.
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Saturday Morning
March 23, 2013 by Adam in Family
Well, we didn't make it to the coast as planned today. Joanna's still getting over strep throat. The kids have been running around all morning - forts in the basement, board games, stuffing a pinata, and several breakfasts. It's not even noon.
I've got a ton of things on my "things to do" list. We're going to celebrate Easter a week early as we won't have any kids next Sunday. Now that the chickens have been given away, it's time to clean the coop and get it ready for craigslist. I managed to unclog a drain already.
Some downtime this weekend would be nice. It's been a stressful week.
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Sneaking into the Week
March 20, 2013 by Adam in Family
It's Wednesday already. Joanna's sick. I'm hassling with child support, realizing that I've significantly overpaid these last three years. Visiting a lawyer tomorrow. It seems the giddiness of knowing my job is secure quickly fades.
Ah, well. Spring is coming. Joanna planted a bunch of bulbs this weekend. Sam and I watched Pan's Labyrinth last night, wonderful but sad.
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I Have A Job
March 15, 2013 by Adam in Family
It's a wonderful Mocha Friday, with only a few more minutes in the work day before I wander home for a quick dinner, and then off to see Emma in her play. She's nervous, but I'm excited to see her as one of Robin Hood's merry men.
I also got news that I officially have my job. No reduction in pay or anything weird. After two years of uncertainty, I'm almost giddy knowing everything is relatively stable. We're celebrating by buying a new dishwasher.
 I am having some coworkers move to other places as jobs shift around. Mike Oswald, whom I've sat next to for years, is about to head to the SSB in Eugene where I used to work. He's returning in six months, so it wasn't too sad (for me anyway).
It's been a relatively uneventful week. Sam and I went to the eye doctor and he got new contacts. He said it was like anti-aliasing was turned on (a computer graphics reference for you non-gamers). Sam also got his grades from last term - all A's and B's. His standardized tests were also really good - over 90th percentile for everything but math (there he was merely good). Reading was in the 98 percentile, which was cool to see.
Joanna and I went out Wednesday night, going to a Thai place for dinner, and then off to Market of Choice to continue our hot date night. We're hoping to have a short vacation over Spring Break, though it's tricky coordinating the kids with their various other parents. Hopefully we can sneak away to Bend for a couple days.
I'm looking forward to the weekend, spending time with kids and getting a little downtime. I can tell I'm getting old, as the prospect of a new dishwasher is very exciting.
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Last Team Meeting
March 11, 2013 by Adam in Family
 We just had our last team meeting as the Web Services team. Glen has been my manager for over 15 years. We've had two people die, many leave, and a number of babies brought into this world (though Dave's daughter was put to work on the team). It's strange to see such a big part of my life come to an end. I'll miss it, and especially the people.
I broke out the piratey root beer that Emma gave me for my birthday and drank it down. It's the last.
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Beautiful Weekend
March 11, 2013 by Adam in Family
 Berry's teeth are just crazy these days. We took Sam, Duncan, and Berry to the dentist Wednesday morning. One of Berry's teeth got yanked, and the other is tilting over and making her look like she lives in the woods harassing cityfolk that come by. She was quite happy about the card and cash the next morning, though she asked for Wizard 101 toys.
The weekend was sunny and relaxing, with a fair amount of play time with the kids. We spent a bunch of time playing in the garden. I put down bark-o-mulch, Joanna pruned some more, and the kids put up the hammock. We worked on science and art projects. Sam and I played Arma 3. Sam power washed the driveway for cash. Pizza and Bang Goes the Theory was enjoyed.
Life's okay.
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Monday Already
March 05, 2013 by Adam in Family
 It was a pleasant, relatively uneventful weekend - at least compared to our wild downtown adventure of Friday. We took the little kids swimming, with both Berry and Duncan improving immensely. Emma enjoyed carrying me around in the pool. Berry had a sleepover, packing all sorts of interesting things in her suitcase. I especially liked the fake money.
Sunday was sunny, if not warm. Joanna exclaimed her love of power tools and let rip on the shrubbery with the hedge trimmer. Emma hung outside with us, mowing and picking up. Sam worked away at his homework. He's been playing Super Meat Boy, which is incredibly difficult. "What do I do now, pappy?" he asked. "Be awesome," was my reply. Sure enough, he beat the level and we exchanged high fives.
Sunday night was family dinner. Even Jenny and her boys showed up. It's nice to see everyone is well and happy.
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March Mocha Friday
March 02, 2013 by Adam in Family
 We just got back from the First Friday Art Walk. There were inflatodomes that people would crawl into, street performers playing saws and accordions, galleries with steampunk musical devices, and all manner of oddities. Joanna is great to have adventures with, and we explored all manner of nook and cranny downtown.
The week has been pretty uneventful. Homework was done, kids were fed, and clothing was washed. Joanna has been becoming more and more of a runner, picking up speed each day at the gym. She's also been dairy free for a few months now, which seems to have cleared up her stomach issues entirely.
I checked with Sam's teachers and he seems to be getting A's and B's all around. Berry is doing well at piano. Duncan has mastered the art of floating at swimming and wants to show off his assorted nautical skills at the pool this weekend. Emma is hoping to go to the Mythbusters live show a couple Fridays from now, even if it means staying up until ten.
All-in-all, life is good.
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