Hukt on Faniks Shopping List

See if you can find the following in this list that Cole helpfully made for Sue's use:

• milk
• potatoes
• whipped cream
• wheel (for the hamsters...)
• straws
• mouth wash
• chicken food

Paddling Puget Sound

Around Aug. 11, Brian (Evan's brother) and two of his kids - Shauntel and Sheridan all drove up from Gilbert, AZ to enjoy some cool northwest weather.

We headed up to Hood Canal (where my mom grew up, part of Puget Sound, WA) and caught hundreds of little crabbies,

and hundreds more...

and there were all different kinds, and we just couldn't get enough of those little guys.

And, we finally figured out a way to keep Bryn contained in the tent.  She never kicked us once, so we may have to bring this kayak on all our trips, whether there's water or not.

The kids LOVED their older cousins - Sheridan and Shauntel.  They are SO cool, we all agree, and wish they lived a lot closer.

The kids kayaked all over, and the water was crystal clear.  We could look down 10 feet and see star fish and stuff.  Very cool, and actually not that cool to swim in.  It was almost warm - for the northwest.

Evan's sister, Laura (with new baby Avery - thanks for havin' another cute baby, Laura!) and Evan's brother, Brian.

Grant and Cole with cousins...

And Bryn wading around.

Making smores

Bryn and me cruisin' around.

Grant got into the kayaking more than anyone - it was his kind of sport!

Cole and Shauntel.

Thanks for a great trip, family!  It only took me 6 weeks to get this posted! Seriously, that's really good for me, these days.

Monster Cookies

Cookie making contest results:
Cole: 6.125"
Grant: 6.5"
Bryn: 5 inches

It's hard to feel bad for the 2nd and 3rd place finishers when they're smiling like that. Of course, it's hard not to smile when you have a giant cookie in front of you.

Chez Crunchers

A few weeks ago I arrived home from work to find that a restaurant had opened in my living room. There were only three diners and they were all eating strawberries and cream and drinking out of fancy glasses.

If you'd like to dine at our exclusive establishment, reservations are recommended.
18% gratuity automatically added on parties of 6 or more.
Our dress code doesn't require pajamas, but they look pretty comfortable to me.

Don't Tie Yourself in Knots

In the January issue of the the Friend magazine, there was an article about making CTR Pretzels.

CTR Pretzels
By Heather Brinkerhoff
1 teaspoon salt
2½–3 cups flour
1 tablespoon yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon sugar
melted butter

1. Mix the first five ingredients until they form a ball. Then knead dough until smooth and elastic. Cover with a clean towel and let rise in a warm place for one hour.
2. Pull off sections of the dough and roll into long ropes. Form the ropes into the letters “CTR” or make the shape of the CTR shield.
3. Put the pretzels on a greased cookie sheet and bake 8–10 minutes at 450°F (232°C). Brush pretzels with melted butter.

We followed the recipe but put our own Cruncher spin on it.

Rare Who Roast Beast

Then the Whos, young and old, will sit down to a feast.

And they'll feast!

And they'll feast!

And they'll FEAST!

FEAST!

FEAST!

FEAST!

Our Baby is 3 Today!

But as her brothers like to remind her several times a day, she will never catch up to them, and they will always be older AND bigger.  (But a little sister can dream, and even wish - while she blows out candles.)

Feeling all special while being sung to.

Munching cake with her best buddy from a few houses down.

Best of all, it was a day full of princessy goodness.

And as far as we know, all her dreams came true and she will be living happily ever after. 

The boys, hiding from all the new girl toys.

Craters, Critters, Camping and Cousins

What's the best part about camping at Crater Lake?

The Scenery

Picture a startlingly blue lake.

Yes, it really is that blue.

The Water

Swimming in 1900 feet of water?  Stick close to your buddy.

Strike a pose for the ladies.

The Wildlife

Here's a cool salamander, found by a boy after sunset.

This boy can find crawdads in places most people wouldn't even think to look.

The Dirt

Bryn spent many happy minutes with her cup o' dirt.

Beautiful scenery? Who cares. Look! I found some dirt.

The Snow

Not usually desired when camping but in late August a patch of snow can provide a welcome diversion.

The Food

Be sure to control access to your s'more.

That's better. A two handed grip helps keep s'more thieves at bay.

Use caution when eating directly from the roasting stick.

Cole covered with dirt and marshmallow residue

Family

Here's a couple of little girls with dirty faces and plenty to talk about.

This photo brilliantly depicts the difference between boys and girls.

And, of course, the obligatory family photo. My, don't we look happy?

Thanks to John and Laura and the girls for accompanying us.