The Brookston Family Blog
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Porter was also very keen to go swimming at Uncle Tuck’s because he’d been itching to try out his new goggles, snorkel and swim fins.

First step was the swim fins, which Porter wore the entire time we were at the pool.

Then came the goggles, which he likewise wore the whole time, though usually up on his head like an unused pair of sunglasses.

Tentatively trying to look under the water.

Sarah showing Porter how the snorkel should be used.

Porter’s turn with the snorkel.

Having some concept issues.

Which he eventually overcame, if only he would get his face anywhere near the water.

In the end he never did get his head wet, and Alice tried to steal his snorkel several times.

On Saturday, we went to Tuck and Debbie’s new place for an early evening barbecue for Father’s Day. We went a little early so the kids could go swimming. It was very hot and the pool felt great. Alice, who has no fear, would jump right in as soon as we’d hold our hands out to catch her.

Alice trying to get Sarah’s attention.

So she can jump right in the pool.

Alice practicing her kicking.

Loving the water.

While this could easily be a metaphor for Tiger Woods this weekend at the U.S. Open, I was thinking more about several good writing opportunities I’m trying to cultivate right now and how precarious they feel. What club to use, what club to use?

PART

I only knew Kara a short time before she started dating Dave, so most of the photos I have are with Dave.

Pat, Kara and Dave at our wedding ten years ago next month.

Kara and Dave, looking very self-satisfied, at Chris and Katherine’s wedding.

Kara snuggling with Audrey at Pat and Christi’s in Seattle.

American Gothic without the pitchfork, a family portrait: Kara, Audrey and Dave.

A goodbye from Dave and Kara. And yes Michelle is their chauffer.

Toward the end of the program at Porter’s Spring Sing, we moved down right in front of the stage so that he could see us better, which did seem to calm him down. Another thing being close to the stage meant was that Alice was closer to it and at one point she just walked right on up and started dancing with Porter. In fact given she had no practice whatsoever, she did much better than he did.

Alice, being as fearless a person as I’ve ever met, just walked right up on stage with Porter.

At first she just watched Porter.

As he started dancing again after standing still for the last several songs.

Then she took a last hit of milk energy before busting her own moves, as the movie below attests.

Here’s a Quicktime movie of Alice up on stage dancing to the Sufari’s Wipeout. One warning, this is a BIG file, but well worth it. You can either download the movie to your desktop or just click on the link to play it in your web browser (assuming your web browser has the quicktime plug-in installed).

Okay guessed wrong. I had no idea how old our friend Kara is, but she was kind enough to set me straight. I’m also not sure where we first met Kara. Was it working with Christi at the appraisal company in San Jose that Sarah ended up working at later, too? Or did they all work there because they knew each other first? Senility is a harsh mistress. I know Kara was a regular at the Cupertino Britannia Arms’ trivia night, where Abbey Something — our team name — managed to do all right despite some pretty fierce competition every Tuesday evening. Then the next thing I knew she was dating our other friend Dave, whom she later married. They live in Seattle now with their daughter Audrey. Happy birthday Kara.

Kara and Christi.

Partying at Pat and Christi’s place in Santa Clara. Is that a glass of water or Zima?

Kara, Michelle and Katherine at a Smith House brouhaha.

Another of the infamous couch photos at Sarah and my engagement party. I look more awake in this one than most.