I’m sure it must have started with something fun… like the 4th of July. As always, we went down to the Pancake Breakfast in Winslow and then to the street fair and parade, followed by a small gathering at our house for a barbeque and fireworks.

A patriotic angel.

Pappy's float for the Island Music Center featuring one of Korum's drum students.

Later in the month we were visited by my best friend from growing up in California, Gudrun. It had been many, many, many years since we had been in touch, but thanks to Facebook we reconnected and got to see her for 4 whole days! We went to ZinZanni, toured the island, had a Seattle/Pike Place/Aquarium adventure and she was even in town for my birthday.

Unfortunately, this photo is the ONLY one I was able to capture of Gudrun's visit...

Calder became a chicken whisperer and at the end of the month we got our first egg!

Calder also became an unofficial staff member at Teatro ZinZanni for a week when he attended Camp ZinZanni. He spent so much time there that he got his face on the staff wall and marched with us in the Seafair Torchlight Parade.

Apparently, we spent some time at Seabeck too…

We finally put Garner to task.

And our garden grew…

I guess it was a pretty good month, now that I think about it…

Arriving at the Johnson Farm with minutes to spare before the pie contest entry deadline.

I started this post way back in September 2009, right when things were starting to get a little bit crazy…

Yesterday was one of our favorite events of the year, the Harvest Fair on Bainbridge Island, put on by Trust for Working Landscapes at the old Johnson Farm. The fair is special because it is rather small (but growing), is all related to farming and nature, the vendors are local, and the whole thing has a very hand-made touch to it. The wildest ride there is a little riding lawn mower with a trailer. Kids line up to peel an apple. After the big Puyallup Fair, where the don’t “nickle-and-dime” you but “ten-and-twenty” you, it’s refreshing to go somewhere where most activites are free and those that aren’t are only 50 cents.

Calder on the big slide

Every year we look forward to meeting up with old friends and it seems like we know at least half of the people there. Now with Calder in Kindergarten, he’s introducing us to even more of our neighbors. Annual highlights are taking a portrait of Calder and Lola under an apple tree by the pond. It’ll get some love in Photoshop and then added to the collection. We also look forward to hanging out with John Flodin for a good part of the day. The Johnson Farm used to be his family’s and it’s great being there with him and hearing funny stories, seeing old photos and meeting his family. We usually see Rivers and the Logue gang, but this year we only saw Eric.

The annual Calder/Lola shoot

This year we had the honor of visiting with our friends (and my boss) Beth and her daughter Kate. Kate is a little charmer and they came all the way from Seattle for the day and kept us company. It was fun to show them around and give them a glimpse into our non-work lives, although I admit, it must have been hard for them because we had to keep stopping to talk to people and I’m not always the best at remembering to introduce strangers.

Calder and Kate chumming it up.

Kate on the big slide.

Catching air

The highlight of the day was Sara’s win in the pie contest for her Green Tomato pie or the “Recession Special” as she called it. Sadly, I never got to try it, but it was beautiful — perfectly golden crust with chartreuse pie filling spilling out the top. Not only did it look great, but it must have tasted delicious too because Sara was awarded a blue ribbon for her work. She’s already scheming for next year…

Isn't it beautiful?

The judging.

Sara accepting her award.

We tried to get out as much as possible this summer. That meant plenty of trips to one of our favorite picnic spots, Port Gamble. We found a “secret” playground and enjoyed many ice cream cones as well as the peaceful town and it became one of Sara and the kids’ favorite places to go when dad was at work.

Nanny and Pappy’s boat, S/V Gumbo Ya-Ya had to go to the yard in Ballard for some routine maintenance, so Calder got to help take the boat through the Locks. It was really fascinating to see how the water rises up and down and see all of the different kinds of boats. There was even one boat that pumps potties which is pretty funny for a five-year-old.

The Rotary Auction is a sacred holiday in the Bischoff household. This year we managed to not go too far overboard. Here’s Calder with one of his scores…

In June we went through another round of getting Garner to try to sleep on his own. After about and hour of crying, he finally fell asleep in this pose…

Dad marched with his work in the Pride Parade this year. It was a wild day for sure! Calder waved dad along on the sidewalk and was excited to see Batman and Robin. He was just confused about why they were on roller skates and in only underwear….

And that was June!

(BTW, the carrier is great! First one he’s liked and we’ve gone through our share… He even sleeps in it!)