Who IS My Neighbor?

So, as most of you know, Matt interviewed in Northern California (Humboldt) for full time work. Portland didn't look promising at the time but it is starting to look like an option as of late, so the jury is still out.

We went to the annual Kinetic Sculpture Race while we were there, which is basically a 3 day freak-show on wheels. Each sculpture of art is human and nature powered and has to be able to travel over land, water and sand. Some sculptures make it to the finish line without sinking to the bottom of the bay.

Introducing "Hippypotomus."

This was a fire-breathing dragon... it literally breathed fire!
Pretty cool. I wonder how that worked in the bay.

Everyone recognizes this one... Octomom!
I'd recognize those lips anywhere.

The rules for this race are hilarious.

Rule #1 states it is "mandatory that all Sculpture Pilots, Pit Crew, Officials... and even innocent bystanders put great effort into having great fun, for it is Craziness such as this that keeps us all Sane! If you insist on being a grumpy racer and not having fun you may declare 'diplomatic immunity' (since you are surly from another planet)..."

But I think my favorite Rule is 2.01a which states that "since mothers are discouraged from running alongside, racers must carry a comforting item of Psychological Luxury, no smaller than a restaurant coffee cup at all times..."

Even better the next rule (2.01a-b) states that mothers will not be discouraged from running alongside if they are "a competitor actively attempting to womp Jr.'s butt."

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we had a Memorial Day BBQ. It was really fun but we had WAY too much food. Still enjoying the potato salad we never put out on the overly crowded table.

Matt, Josh and Kate on grill duty

Mingling

The kiddie-pool was a big hit.

Zaiah warming up after getting in the pool for the third time with his (dry) clothes on.

He is really in love with this Molly-girl. He can't get enough. They had their first sleepover the other night and he didn't want to come home the next morning. Mama is already unneeded.

There were lots of bellies and babies there.

... and people too!

The kiddie-pool is also a big hit with our neighbors. I LOVE our neighborhood. People around here are so friendly! It still surprises me after coming from it's hostile antithesis New Jersey. I have had 5 different neighbors approach me and introduce themselves. I have since been in a few of their homes and had at least one of them in mine. That is not counting the neighbors in my quad-plex. That's a given.

Here we are having some neighborly poolside fun.

Although it may look like these boys are the same age one is 9 months old, one is 14 months and Zaiah is 18. If only I could get him to eat more than a 1/2 cup of yogurt for lunch he might keep his 12 month pants up around his waste.