Figueira Family

7.31.2009

Beat the Heat!

It has been a smoking hot week and the past few days have broken all sorts of temperature records for the NW, especially for Seattle, WA. On a 107 degree day (41c) this is how my Bella girl beat the heat...with a breeze and a burger:

And the heat certainly won't hold us back from building our retaining walls. It just means we have to go to Home Depot at 10pm to get blocks! Here is Bella in her "waiting" space and Rafa working hard. I stayed cool by taking pictures : )

7.26.2009

Who Needs A Yacht...

When you have a perfectly capable Bayliner to sleep in. Yes, Rafa, Bella and I decided to sleep in the boat last night along the Columbia River. We started out with the air mattress (snug fit):

but then we gouged a huge hole in it and it became flat, so we decided to sleep on the fold out back to back chairs with our sleeping bags. This is Rafa waking up:

Among other things during this trip, we ate wild blackberries, played rummy, and watched the sunset and the sunrise from the boat:

It was an overall good evening, warm, peaceful, and quiet.

7.12.2009

Love and Time

Love is so kind and glorious, especially in the springtime, when all is re-born. But when I see someone in love despite the grace of time, it gives me a happiness that is pure.

"I wished for nothing beyond her smile, and to walk with her thus, hand in hand, along a sun-warmed, flower-bordered path."
--Andre Gide

Photo Op

I had the pleasure of taking our friends Marisa and Derricks daughter Kayla to the zoo yesterday. What a perfect opportunity to take photos. No special lens, no special talent, just a pretty and joyful little girl.

7.06.2009

4th of July Weekend

The Figueira family took the boat out to Government Island (which we have named Paradise Point) for a lovely and sunny three day weekend! I believe we had more dogs than humans, and they were certainly unruly for all of us! There were two dog fights, a vet visit, and constant "Come!". But I guess it is really the owners who are unruly : )

We had plenty of time just swimming, boating, tubing, eating, drinking, relaxing, and fighting off the mosquitoes (of course!). It was really so nice to get away and spend time in the Oregon sun with family and friends. I wish more of our family and friends were here to enjoy it with us.

Rafa went tubing for the first time and he rode with Derrick on a two man tube and I drove the boat. And I flipped them! It was so funny! I rode as well with Derrick and got flipped. It is pretty scary and exhilirating all at the same time!

Bella was pretty scared of the fireworks; we tried our best to keep her calm, but it was just not the best for her. Once we put her in the tent she was fine, but we tried to keep her outside in the early evening to get her "used" to it, but that loud noise is just something she will never get used to (I think that is the husky in her).

Anyways, great weekend for us, I hope you all had a great weekend too. Here are some shots:

Marisa enjoys the sun:

Boating and Tubing:

My friends Marisa and Olimpia and I

Rafa with his Medeiros Family shirt:

Janelle, Tara, Marisa, and I

Dirty Bella:

Rafa and I:

Marisa and Derrick's daughter Kayla, or Ragga Muffin in this photo : )

6.23.2009

Dog Mountain

Rafa had a plan to go fishing with Derrick last Saturday, So Bella and I decided to hike Dog Mountain in Washington State. It is a 7.1 mile hike that elevates to 2850 feet. Bella and I completed the hike in 4 hours. It was a steep incline for the entire way up because Bella and I chose the most difficult route. It was harder coming down though, since it puts a lot of pressure on the knees. I was certainly tired after the hike, but Bella was still rearing to go; the girl has so much energy! The hike was lovely; sparse and damp forest at the beginning, open, airy, and cold at the top, with fields of tiny flowers. Here are some shots:

At the beginning: