Dueck's Roost

It's no secret that I'm trying to madly rush through blog entries in an effort to get caught up before, i don't know, Valentine's Day maybe. however, if I throw these pictures up, say "awesome hike, Hon, " and move on to the next entry, I may have one unhappy camper on my hands. Of course, it is simply unfathomable for "unhappy" and "camper" to be included in the same sentence when it comes to my husband. So, I've decided to give this post the time and dedication it deserves;)! Here it goes ... Our amazing and just slightly insane friend (love ya, Doug) invited Kevin on one last, end-of-summer "high adventure" up to Lake Constance in the Olympic Mountains. I think Kevin was aware that it would be a long day and a pretty strenuous hike, but I'm not sure he realized just how crazy it would be. They set off pretty early in the morning. I really don't even know for sure what time, because I was peacefully slumbering in be...

After all our summertime excitement/craziness and the start of the new school year, we decided to hold off on Joseph's actual first b-day party (he didn't know the difference anyway;) and celebrate his and Porter's at the same time. I really don't know why, but for some reason I was meant to be the mom of boys (with the exception of my darling Mae). And I just love each and every one of them. They are all soooo different, which I find fascinating and exciting and complicating and sometimes frustrating all at the same time. While we have yet to see what kind of personality Joseph will really have (aside from his free-spirited tendencies of running everywhere, brushing his teeth any chance he gets, dancing on the kitchen table, and doing anything and everything daring), Porter has certainly carved out his place in our family, particularly with his distinct love of reading!! The kid could forget to get out of bed for an entire day (foregoing food and pretty much anything ...

Over Labor Day weekend, we all piled into the car yet again, crossed the border into Canada, and made our way to Vancouver B.C. for the wedding of Kevin's lovely cousin, Nicola. The trip was quite an adventure, but it is no secret that I am behind in my blogging and I desperately need to get last year's blog book ready for printing. So, instead of a play-by-play account, I will just make a list of what happens when big family meets big city. *Mae throws up in the car at the curbside of the lovely downtown Hyatt Regency. *Car is too big for the underground parking at our hotel. *We are practically the only family present. *Outdoor "heated" hotel pool (purpose for which we booked this hotel in he first place) is heated to the extent of a melting ice-cube and completely shaded by surrounding bldgs . * Dueck children "sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked and walked" (okay, so they actually did not sing even a tiny bit while walking, but we did ...

When Joseph was born, I really did not have intentions of calling him " joe ." Not that I had a clue what nickname we were going to use, but I figured something perfect would surface. Well, he's now 16 mos (about 12 mos in this post, since I'm just a tad bit behind:) and still nothing. Not really anyway. I noticed the other day, though, that his big brother (porter) had taken to calling him Joe. In a really cute way too. Like old college roommates shooting the breeze (what an odd figure or speech??). So, in honor of Porter, I am giving "Joe" a try. Moving on, our cute little Joe;) got his first haircut at the end of the summer. As made clear in a previous post, the adorable child was seriously in need of a cut. And as mentioned in said post, we have an amazing hair stylist in the family who loves us so much she's willing to make home visits. Nothing like bribing a one-year-old to hold still with a sticky lollipop (only problem is, all the hair sticks to...

Aww , back to school pictures: sun-toasted skin, newly trimmed hair, unstained clothing, and lunchboxes with not a tear ... and then the first week of school happens. Mr. 3rd grade Mr. 4 th grade Miss Kindergarten herself. Oh, so exciting! Brooks doesn't start school until next year, but the kids had to pull him into the picture just for fun. Let the fun begin! Just nobody blink, because then it will already be next year and we'll be that much closer to middle school:(.