BUTTERFLY TREE

About three years ago, I built a structure to support a tree that was growing in our backyard but that was hidden by a couple of other trees which have since been removed.  

We later learned that this tree is called a "butterfly tree".  It produces beautiful purple flowers and it lives up to its name by attracting beautiful butterflies.

At the far end of our patio is our butterfly tree.

BUSINESS CARDS

One of the perks of my job is that grateful patients, upon completing their course of treatments, often say "thank you" by giving a gift that stems from their own creativity.

In the past, I have been a cake decoration and I have been the subject of a hand-painted portrait.

Today, a patient finished a 2-month course of treatments and gave each radiation therapist a stack of personalized business cards.

I am now "Sir Bruce Cancer Slayer".

HIKING IN THE REDWOODS

This morning I drove to Brookings to spend a day with the Moffits. The day included a picnic and hike through a section of Jedediah Smith State Park.

The day ended with full stomachs at Wild River Pizza (aka The Pizza Deli).

Tomorrow I join them for church before heading back to the valley.

Five Moffit cousins: Ally, Daisy, Haydn, Neo and Connley (Haydn and Connley have a mother who is Josh's sister).

Our hike led us to a fallen redwood with another redwood growing out of it.

Belinda, Daisy and Barbara (Josh's mom) set up our picnic lunch.

Ally climbs.

Daisy, Ally and Haydn amidst the trees.

Father and son.

Father and daughter.

Husband and wife.

Ally, Daisy and Neo.

Daisy attempts to climb a tree which, interestingly, created a bridge and was
rooted into the ground on both sides of the trail.

Neo's turn to climb the same tree.

Looking up.

I did not take this photo and I don't remember specifically what was going on here, but
I think Belinda is telling me what to do and I am tipping my hat in compliance.

COUSIN REUNION

Monday morning we headed for Ashland with five of our grandchildren, three Moffits and two Vallos.

This was the first time these cousins have connected in over four years.  With four girls and only one boy in the mix, Debra spent most of her time with Daisy, Baylee, Ally and Rylie while I hung out with Neo.

Rylie, Ally, Baylee and Daisy at Lithia Park in Ashland.

Getting dizzy on the spinner.

Neo was invited by some other kids to play freeze tag. In this photo, Neo is frozen with his hands up 
and is waiting to become unfrozen with a tag.

Cooling off in the creek.

Crossing the bridge.

Tired of walking.

Neo and I joined the girls at Paddington Station.

Ally at Paddington Station.

Rylie on the upper level.

Baylee in the basement.

Nana and Neo.

Checking out.

Some lady named Barb stopped us in the plaza and spent about five or ten minutes telling us about herself.

Dining together at Louie's outdoor seating area are (from left to right):
Neo, me, Debra, Ally, Daisy, Rylie, Ashley and Baylee.

During lunch, Debra suggested that the four girl cousins do a remake of the video they created 4 years, 5 months and 26 days ago.  They immediately, absolutely, unequivocally REFUSED!

Nevertheless, that amazing 40-second performance from 2011 can be seen here:

WATCHING SPONGEBOB

Last night Daisy, Ally and Neo slept at our house.  

This morning, Neo was the first grandchild to get up.  He wanted to watch Spongebob Squarepants.  

To protect the rest of the family from the audio, we placed a wireless headphone set on him so that only he could hear the sound.  Neo watched Spongebob, the girls continued sleeping, Debra did some morning chores and I watched Neo watching Spongebob.

FATHER'S DAY

Father's Day afforded me the privilege of seeing the Moffit clan for the first time in four years, except for a breakfast date I had with Belinda a couple of weeks ago.

I attended Sam's Valley Community Church, where Josh spoke and shared an update on their work in the Philippines.

After church, we headed to our home in Talent where we hung out, visited and relaxed.  As the afternoon progressed, Josh and Belinda left and Debra and I got to have three overnight guests.

After church at Sam's Valley.

The Father's Day gathering: (seated on couches) Belinda, Debra, Ally, Josh, Neo, Ashley; (seated on floor) me, Daisy.

Father with No. 2 Daughter.

Father with No. 3 Daughter.

Grandfather with No. 8 Grandchild.

Josh and Ashley catch up on conversation.

Belinda attempts, unsuccessfully, to solve puzzle that Silas made for me last Christmas.

Travel-weary granddaughter.

Travel-weary granddaughter.

Going...

Going...

Gone!

Sunday was not only Father's Day, but it was also Tim and Bethany's anniversary.

Sunday was not only Father's Day and Tim and Bethany's anniversary, but it was also my dad's 92nd birthday.