August found us traveling to Steve's 30th high school reunion, gasp -- how did we all get to live this long??? The scenery, of course, was breathtaking in Washington state and we ended the trip to Port Angles by stopping off in Tacoma for the Northwest Regional Puppet Convention, running into many of our old puppet friends from California, as well as other parts of the country. The performance of Mallory Lewis, Shari Lewis’s daughter, was a total highlight of our trip, and we were glad to see her carrying on the torch of her mother's lifelong work with Lambchop and friends.

Speaking of puppets, Steve got it in his head to finish his longtime dream of building a southern show with a old coot in a rocker with his alligator side kick. So, with some creative work and several more trips to The Home Depot, yet another complete show was built -- this one included a widow dressed in black, the colonel (looking very much like the Kentucky Fried Chicken magnate), a gator, a snake and a swamp, complete with handmade wooden rocking chairs and a pier built by, yes, Marty (who STILL hates working with wood!!!).
To see more of its creation, click here.

Feeling kind of young again, especially after the visit to the class reunion (It almost seemed as if everybody else was there for their 40th reunion!) and the fact that Steve has now taken to wearing cowboy attire, we took some classy photo shots in the garden to send to friends and family. See, its not only the puppets that step in front of the camera. Fun time was had, although we did get some strange looks from the neighbors, from time to time, as the camera took the shots.

September found Steve on the road for a three week trip through the western United States traveling with this folks as they took perhaps their last big journey with their 38 foot motor home, (not counting the car they towed). The journey went through 13 states, most of the time with perfect weather from Oregon to Texas to visit with Ken’s relatives, and then up to Yellowstone and Mt Rushmore, than finally home to Oregon. The highlight of the trip for Steve was meeting his cousins and their incredibly charming kids, who enjoyed the puppets and some slapstick storytelling on his Uncle's ranch deep in the heart of Texas. Yes, it was quite the road trip, and with Steve and Ken taking turns driving -- we often did 450 miles in a day, stopping occasionally for Bobbie to shop. So now you know where some of Steve’s new leather and cowboy clothes came from.

October found us back in the shop finishing up Scene One -- the garden set. We added stone walls and mounted the wrought iron gates and fencing as well as the rock slate paths and final touches. Seeing pictures of it, most folks think it is our real outside garden, which is truly a tribute to the craft and vision of all who worked so hard on this lifelike set. Remember, the puppets are only three feet tall, what are we going to do, hold midget weddings in it?

October also found us looking for another dog. Not to replace Aaron, but to add a new companion to our home. Marty insisted that we take a shelter dog, and had begun sneaking looks on-line at available candidates. We finally went to the Family New Life shelter,
where we met Sam(urai).
Her family had moved to China, leaving her behind. Her long time buddy, a Golden Lab, had long since been adopted out (in a heartbeat).
Her first adoption had not worked out, after she had an incident with a possum. (The possum lost). She waited alone in the pound for over a year until we came along and fell in love. She's nine years old, a Basenji-Sharpei mix and LOVES peppermint ice cream, going walkies, and rides in the car. This picture was taken the day we brought her home -- she's not nearly as apprehensive any more. She's now family, after all.

Both Ken & Bobbie's and Steve & Marty's houses got the complete outside Boo make overs for Halloween with lights, special effects, and goblins to thrill the trick or treaters.