Hints of Fall

It's still been quite warm in Portland the past few weeks.  80s and 90s most days.  I've been restless for the crispness of fall and even for some rain after nearly 3 months without any.  But, I am seeing glimpses of my favorite season lately.  The sun is setting earlier (no more lightness until 10pm) and the temps have really cooled off at night and in the morning.  I actually needed a hoodie the past few mornings walking the kids to school.  Some trees are starting to change and leaves are starting to fall.  It makes me giddy with excitement.  I love Fall!

One Portland September tradition are the Vaux swifts (birds), who funnel into the chimney of a NW Portland elementary school each evening as the sun is setting.  We didn't have a chance to catch them last year, but we did this year.  What a sight!  One of the other great things about this location is the giant hill on the grounds, which kids (and adults) slide down with cardboard and toboggans.  I bet its a popular spot on our few snow days each winter!  The kids had a blast and we got to see a pretty amazing sunset while watching this odd phenomenon.

This was at the beginning of the evening; it got way more crowded!

Belly slide

He started "surfing" down, but had to sit.

Starting to gather; I got pooped on TWICE.

No editing; just the pretty Portland sunset sky.

Starting to funnel

Another Fall tradition is the start of the soccer season.  Peter decided to take the kids to a Timber-reserves (read: cheap tickets) game last weekend while I had a meeting for the Imago Dei kids ministry.  They had fun, but have both expressed that they want to see a "real" soccer game (meaning with the active Portland Timbers).  We'll see.  Those games sell out fast and are very expensive.

Everyone say "Fake smile!"

Those are better (natural) smiles.

And this is just the beginning of our Fall adventures!