The Jesse and Amy Fox Family: August 2009

Our neighborhood 7/09

I probably wouldn't have thought to bring a camera to document one of our walks around the neighborhood, so I'm glad Becca thought of it. For the last 5 years now we've gone on lots of walks in our neighborhood. Sometimes a few of us go, sometimes all of us. We do it more during the summer and anytime it's not raining in the other seasons. I really enjoy being out in the fresh air, and the kids like it too. This time we had Annie and Jessica with us.

Me and Becca (my sister)

Annie likes being in charge of the stroller, even though she can barely see over it!

Blackberry picking 8/09

It's our tradition the last 8 or 9 years of living in Gig Harbor and Portland to stock our freezer with blackberries for the year. We try to get enough to make at least a pie a month and make some syrup. I did this as a child as well. It is great fun. We come out of it with purple fingers and scratched hands and arms, but it's worth it! This year we took Becca with us!

Annie

Julia-sneaking a taste.

Aren't they gorgeous?

Annie got the low ones...

Julia and Alexis are getting good at this.

Becca (my sister).

I didn't plan for the letters on my t-shirt to follow the curve of the bowl. Funny.

River Rafting 7/09

A group of family reunion goers took the older kids river rafting on the Clackamas river. It was a very safe course and they had a splendid day!

Hatfield Marine Science Center 7/09

We got a chance on the last day of the reunion to visit a couple of fun places with Abe & Betsy's family. We did the Hatfield Marine Science Center (Free admission!! Whoo hoo!!). It's a facility for Oregon State University for marine research. They have a visitors center open to the public. It was like a mini aquarium. The kids especially enjoyed the tide pools.

Faith and Betsy

Clark and Julia

The Dads & babies.

Annie feeling an anemone.

Elinor and Annie are two peas in a pod.

Jellyfish!

We also visited Depot Bay and did some whale watching. We were lucky and able to see some Grey Whales. It was a great ending to a great week.

Hike on Oregon Coast 7/09

John is already a protecting big brother. He tried to help Jessica along the trail.

We went on a hike with our big group of family and had a wonderful time. It was warm out, but in the shade of the dense forest it was fantastic. Betsy and Abe organized it (what was the hike called?). I believe it was a mile or so. Our kids did great. Just when the little ones were tired we were done. I especially enjoyed it because it looked almost exactly like the forest I grew up in in Gig Harbor. I loved being outdoors in nature and it was lovely to go through with our kids and tell them the names of plants. I was reminiscing and happy. Alexis and Julia ran ahead, so most of our pictures are with our younger three.

John sees something!

Jessica and Daddy

I love Jessica's smile!

By a big fallen cedar tree.

It was dark with all the trees!

There was a meadow on a huge hill at the end of the hike. It was hot!

That's Annie, melting in the corner.

It was a dusty road in.

Lincoln City 7/09

We had our annual Fox Reunion in Lincoln City this year. It was a great place for the kids of course. The beach is wonderful, but with cousins it's the best!!! We stayed in several beach houses along the coast. During the day we wore out the kids and had fun playing games in the evenings. It was perfect weather. We were very fortunate!