When they got back on the boat in the afternoon we drove up to the summit of Cadillac Mountain where we took pictures and ran around the rocky slope.

Jenna Loves Whales

Patsy and Richard

Patsy Is A Gamer Geek

Richard and Patsy

After lunch we stopped for ice cream. Mmmmm. Wicked delish.

Hayley enjoys her ice cream while I tweet

Bah Hahbah and Crown Princess

Yeah, it was Sofa King cold at the summit of Cadillac Mountain

Skye

Ain't we cute?

Richard and Patsy's ship, Crown Princess

Jenna, Hayley and Skye...and a boat

The loves of my life.

A bit past peak, but still gorgeous

Jenna is part mountain goat. She loves to prance on the rocks.

Kirsten

These girls are used to being posed

Skye. And a boat.

Jenna LOVES to dress up and be photographed.

Kirsten and Jenna atop Cadillac Mountain

Yes, I am the man.

Hayley

Skye tried hard to look like a gangstah. I don't think it worked.

Us

Yeah, I did good. Kirsten's, like, super hot.

Saturday morning we drove to the summit of Cadillac Mountain but it was completely enshrined in a cloud and fierce winds. Jenna and I walked around a bit before we retreated to the car.

The summit of Cadillac Mountain was IN a cloud. Wicked windy!

It was a wonderful weekend. I’m glad we were able to visit with Richard and Patsy again.

I would get a motorboat that is the size of a monster truck. My family and I would fill our backpacks and bring the motorboat to the ocean every now and then and ride for a little bit. Hayley, Jenna, and I would stand in the front and feel the wind blow on our faces while playing, “I spy something.” Sometimes I could sit in the back of the boat and read my book, or listen to my MP3 player. I could smell the fresh breeze and dad would take pictures. Lots of pictures.

We’d take an airplane to China and I would snack and read on the way there. When my family and I got off, we would check out the beautiful sights and eat the food. I could make some friends and I would memorize the language. My friends would help me. Maybe I could even see some Chinese animals. It would also be very exciting and neat to stay in a Chinese hotel. I would like to try a sport only played in China.

Every week my family would go mini golfing, bowling, and to the movie theater. At the theater we could go and grab popcorn to bring to any movie without giving the person in charge a ticket. I would like to watch new movies that just came out.

I’d also like to bring art supplies in the woods and draw the trees and nature. I would give away paintings but sometimes I would keep them to put in my own house. My parents and sisters would each get an autographed painting from me.

That is my paradise plan.

I’d jump out of airplanes often. And pilot them more often. To cities with libraries and museums.

There are other things my paradise would encompass, but this is a family blog.

First we went to nearby Saco Heath Preserve, which is a short 3.6 miles from our house. The hike through the woods and out into the heath were ideal. Skye and Hayley took copious notes on every sensation they experienced, including smell, touch, see and hear. They frequently stopped to sit on the boardwalk to search for frogs or to snack on the trail mix they had each prepared prior to our departure.

Jenna explores the Saco Heath Preserve

Hayley takes notes, like a good explorer

Sisters. Buddies.

Hayley in the Heath

These two enjoyed sharing their discoveries in the Heath

Hayley loves to hike

Maine and Dunkin Donuts. Bliss.

Jenna, Skye and Hayley love to hike

Taking a break in the Saco Heath Preserve

After we were done at the Heath we drove to Cascade Falls in Saco. The trail has changed much since we were there last due to development. We hiked around a bit, frustrated by “No Tresspassing” signs, before we finally found the new trailhead. The hike is very short now, but the falls are the same.

Cascade Falls, Saco, Maine

Hayley is so cute. She loves to explore.

Me at Cascade Falls, Saco. Photo: Skye

When we eventually got to the Falls, the girls snacked

Skye enjoyed exploring, and taking notes

Next we drove north to South Windham to spend some time at Babbs Covered Bridge, which spans the Presumpscott River. The foliage colors weren’t quite peak, but pretty, nonetheless. Again I was faced with a “No Tresspassing” sign at the trailhead leading to the prime photo spot for the bridge. Grrrrr. The girls enjoyed throwing acorns into the river and hiking through the woods.

Presumpscott River

Babbs Covered Bridge

Jenna hung out with me for a bit. I love that kid!

We ended the day at my favorite place, Fort Williams State Park in Cape Elizabeth. The sunset was glorious. The girls enjoyed running around in the grass and jagged granite cliffs while I snapped a few pictures and advised the tourists.

Portland Head Light

Despite the abundance of rain we had this summer we enjoyed some trips to the beach and to several lighthouses. Recently we discovered how much fun it is to play catch, whiffleball and baseball. The girls caught on pretty quickly, especially Jenna. She loves it!

We went to Boston a few times and purchased an annual pass for the Museum of Science. We all love it, and we have a great time every time we go. There is always something new to learn. We’ve gone to the Children’s Museum in Portland several times. The annual pass is worthwhile. One of the girls’ favorite things to do there is to dress up and perform on the stage in the theater.

We made many trips to the library and to the park with picnics. We frequented Starbucks, one of our favorite places to hang out and read. They have board games and children’s books there, so the girls really enjoy it. We enjoy their delicious beverages too. My new favorite is the Green Tea Latte.

INTERMISSION (and photos to view):

We always like popcorn and movie nights. The girls like to play “movie theater” and “restaurant.” One night Skye and Hayley were in the living room ready to watch the move “The Pink Panther 2.” Skye asked Jenna, “Are you going to watch the movie with us?” Jenna told her “No.” Skye asked “So why are you in here?” Jenna replied “Because I’m looking to see how dumb it is.”

Brent quit his photography job with Olan Mills and landed a contract position as a software developer with Tri-County Mental Health Services in Lewiston. It’s an hour commute each direction, but it is so much better than Olan Mills in many ways! It’s also giving him good experience for his freelance business. We’re very excited.

Dr. Florman, my neurosurgeon, scheduled a supra orbital craniotomy for me at the end of August, because the transsphenoidal surgery I had in May was unsuccessful in reaching my pituitary tumor. Brent took fantastic care of me. The girls were also great. Not only are they good about taking care of themselves and being independent, but they are always eager to help out and willing to do extra. One day as Hayley was cutting her sandwich with a steak knife, I cautioned her not to cut her fingers. She said, “I’m six, Mom, and I’m a ‘Danler‘. That means I got your and Daddy’s genes. I’m smart and I’m good at cutting with a knife.”

That pretty much sums up our summer here in Maine. The girls and I are back in school, and Brent is busy learning about and starting a web developing freelance business. Clusters of trees have already begun to change color, and the mornings and evenings are feeling cooler. We’re ready for autumn!

My mom’s co-worker, Jeff, invited everyone from CICU and R9 to a work party. The party took place at his summer house near a lake. Mom took Jenna, Hayley, and I to the work party with her. We had a barbecue and I enjoyed my hot dog. Afterwords, I went down to the lake and played with Stephanie (a girl between Hayley and Jenna’s age). When Jenna and Hayley came down to join us, we all got into Stephanie’s paddle boat. I was in the paddle boat almost the whole time we were there. I kept jumping out of it but I was disappointed when we had to leave. I’m going to have a paddle boat when I grow up.

My mom had brain surgery over the summer. I was sad and happy at the same time. I was sad because I didn’t want her to get hurt and I was happy because I wanted her brain to be healthy. Dad, Hayley, Jenna, and I got to visit mom at the hospital everyday she was there. I sat on the windowsill most of the time reading, listening to my MP3 player, playing 20 questions, or playing sudoku. It’s like I was glued to that spot. Finally, we decided that mom was going to come home. I was so excited! I’m glad the surgery is over.

Skye was very safe. She listened intently as I briefed her on safety procedures, range rules and firearm operations. She primarily shot with my Ruger Mark III Hunter .22 pistol. When that got heavy she switched to my Glock G26 9mm, but she didn’t like the harder recoil.

Her shots early were high and to the right. After discussing techniques to improve her accuracy she was able to shoot a loose grouping around the center of the target. I was quite proud.

We had a great time. She says she wants to go again, which I think is terrific. She’s an excellent shooter.

Skye was very excited to shoot guns for the first time

Skye enjoyed loading magazines

Skye did a great job with both accuracy and safety

Skye had a great time with me at the range

Skye was thrilled one of her shots was in the bullseye

The 9mm Glock G26 was a bit much for Skye

I enjoyed shooting at my new club with Skye

Safe and ready to go

Supra-Orbital Craniotomy
Kirsten Uhler, Cogitations, August 23, 2009

We climbed on the rocks before playing wiffleball

I didn't read long before I had to join in the fun.

Keep your eye on the ball, Jenna

Keep those eyes open

Jenna got the hang of it and did very well

We had a great time at Fort Williams

We ate at Joe’s New York Pizza on Fore Street for lunch. It was wicked delish! I’ll definitely have to take Kirsten. Every night is ladies night. :)

We’ve had so many rainy days this summer it is almost a requirement that we spend non-rainy days engaged in outdoor activities. :)

The Moxie Festival Parade in Lisbon Falls, Maine

Jenna enjoyed the Moxie Festival Parade

Moxie: the official soft drink of Maine

Portland Head Light

Kirsten is cute in hats

I wonder what the reception is like with a rock phone

Hayley asked me to take her picture

The Dyer Library here in Saco hosted a Harry Potter Extravaganza: a film premier party for the upcoming “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” Jenna was especially excited about it because she has been reading and enjoying the Harry Potter series. She just started the seventh and final book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”

The Harry Potter Extravaganza was well done, and the girls had a good time. They had their fortunes told by Professor Trelawney, played games, colored Harry Potter pictures, and made wands. Hayley dressed as Hermione Granger, Jenna dressed up as Cho Chang, and Skye as Ron Weasley. The girls even convinced me to dress up as Professor McGonagall.

Cho, Ron, and Hermione

Professor Trelawney (in background) just told Jenna's fortune.

Coloring

Professor McGonagall, Professor Trelawney, and the head of the Slytherin house conducted a “sorting ceremony.” The kids each appeared in front of them, announced their character name, and were then sorted to the appropriate Hogwarts house. When Skye introduced herself, she said “Bloody hell, I’m Ron Weasley!” (in a British accent) Everyone laughed. She won two Cinemagic movie tickets for best costume, and decided she would bring Brent to see the upcoming Harry Potter film.

Skye being sorted into the Gryffindor house

Professor Trelawney, Professor McGonagall, and head of the Slytherin house conducting the sorting ceremony

Jenna as Cho Chang during the sorting ceremony

At one station the kids were instructed to estimate the number of jelly beans (”Bertie Bott’s Beans”) in three different jars. Hayley correctly guessed amount of beans (300) in the largest jar, and won the jar of beans. She’s quite the little math whiz! She was so excited. When she told Brent about it later, she said she “earned” the beans.

Hayley estimates the number of Bertie Bott's Beans in the jar.

Hayley and her prize

Skye enjoys the cauldron cakes, acid pops, licorice wands, and pumpkin juice.

We love the library, and usually go twice a week. The Dyer library does a great job with their programs. It’s nice that we can walk there, too. :-)