Photos of Camille, Daniel (and family and friends) » Ballard

Trip to Walla Walla

David — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 05:28:13 +0000

We just got back from a trip to see our friends Dave and Melissa in Walla Walla. Molly has known Melissa for about 20 years – they met in Santa Barbara and roomed together in Portland where I met the two in 1993. Subsequently, Melissa moved to Seattle and we moved there a few years later. Weirdly, we ended up living only a few blocks away in Ballard. At some point, they soured on Seattle and moved some 5 hours drive to the east.

We don’t get to see them as often these days and this weekend was a real treat. They put us up in their MIL upstairs which they rent out as a vacation retreat. Thanks, guys!

We enjoyed good food and good wine (Walla Walla is known for the latter), and most importantly good company.

There was a side trip to see Waitsburg and Dayton, which are both in the southern end of the Palouse. I enjoyed seeing both small towns, as I’ve been very curious about them.

Spirit was welcome and that was very nice. We didn’t have to worry about getting a sitter for her and she joined us for the weekend.

Camille and Kasey speak of the importance of parks in the neighborhood

David — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:02:25 +0000

A request came in from Groundswell NW‘s President Andrea Faste to have Camille and her friends come to their annual meeting and speak about the importance of parks in the neighborhood. I asked Camille and she said, “sure!” So, she and her best friend Kasey got up in front of 30-40 people (including the mayor) and communicated why parks are important to them and kids in general. They did great.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn heard the whole thing and accidentally took my seat when I went up to do a Q&A with Camille. I thought the Q&A thing would facilitate Camille’s public speaking performance.

TurkeyFest 2009

David — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:32:49 +0000

Every year, the Ballard Boys and Girls Club puts on TurkeyFest. It consists of introductions, performances, announcements, and then a turkey dinner (ala Thanksgiving). Camille performed with her classroom.

Camille Dives!

David — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:19:11 +0000

Camille took diving lessons in the spring and summer.

More house history discovered – digging up history in Ballard

David — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:59:52 +0000

As I remodel and repair the house, I discover more about it. My current understanding is that the front part of this house stood on this lot in 1892 (it was shown on the Sanford Fire Insurance maps of that date), but likely was constructed on this lot in the previous decade. When remodeling the downstairs bath I found a Canadian prairies newspaper dated 1886 stuffed in the wall. I think it was a time capsule for me to find, or perhaps just convenient insulation.

Yesterday, in replacing some split siding near the front door, I found these two items. I believe the first is our original street address. Our street was named North St before annexation of Ballard by Seattle. I think the number is likely our house number, as 17th Ave (the nearest cross street to the east) was 1st Ave in the old system.

121 North Street (old Ballard address)

Then, to the left of the front door, I found this. I think it is a man’s name and address. I’m guessing that he was the builder (or framer) and that the address listed is his. I only use male pronouns, because it was likely in 1886 that only men built homes. The writing is cursive, though, and implies some level of literacy.

Neuman

JB Neuman - 1003 2d Ave

I love these discoveries. They are treasure beneath the surface. It’s like an archeological dig, right here in Ballard.

Camille throws a party (for no particular reason)

David — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:59:18 +0000

Bored one day while stuck in my office for half a day, my active little girl Camille decided to create invitations to a party. The party had no reason or theme, other than to get her two closest friends over for a play date.

Both Kasey and Lucy accepted. It was planned for a Thursday, so I supervised. They started the play date by pulling 27 buckets of weeds from the garden! I didn’t ask them to do it; I merely said I had to do some work on the park (on a computer inside) and they entertained themselves in our vegetable garden by pulling weeds. You would know how remarkable this is if you understood how hard it is to get the kids to do small chores around the house. Later, I realized that Camille was, in part, motivated by a standing offer of $0.25 per bucket of weeds pulled. This netted each girl $2.25.

Then after a bit, we headed to Than Brothers for pho. After the cream puffs (it must be the French influence on Vietnam), we headed to Golden Gardens for some sandy fun.

Lucy, Camille, and Kasey enjoy pho

beach time at Golden Gardens

A new park!

David — Mon, 11 May 2009 23:41:03 +0000

Check out this cool new park in the neighborhood. It has concrete furniture.

Kids in the park

Three of us help plant a park

David — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:51:16 +0000

I think Camille was off unicycling nearby, but the remainder of the family was caught on camera, loading mulch. Photo courtesy of the “geeky Swedes” at MyBallard.

mulching