fresh air

We took the kids out of town for their fall break last week.

No big agenda, just all of us at a lovely lakeside mountain condo for four days, slow-paced and carefree amid beautiful fall colors and gorgeous weather.  We played ball and lots of tennis, explored the beach, picnicked, hiked around, watched movies, star gazed in the hot tub, played games, had a good family council, laughed, ate, slept in, and simply...relaxed.  

Can you feel it?  It was a little slice of heaven.  And, I predict, a new tradition.

(I like that guy in the background too)

false alarm

What is that they say about the best laid plans?  My idea to go private died the moment I made the announcement and walked away from my blog, never to figure out how to invite everyone and actually take time to do it.

SO, stay linked here at portreyfam.blogspot.com and I promise to post something noteworthy soon.  Or at least post something.  Meanwhile, enjoy some:

Me Time...

At 10:30 every morning, when Gary's rolled up his beige paper and put away his giant compasses, he takes a moment for himself to sit in his favorite chair and do a quick “Mork calling Orson” monologue.