Happy Camper

We had a fabulous camping adventure with my parents this week!  This is the same location that we camped in last year, just a different campsite.  Upon arrival we noticed that we were by a small stream and pond and our first thought were mosquito's.  However, I am happy to report that our group received zero bites and all was perfect.

In order to preserve the true essence of how this adventure started I must first disclose that I am not a spokesperson for tent camping. I do so because my parent's trailer is parked just outside the tent walls should I need a bathroom break in the middle of the night, and running water and refrigerated food during the other parts of the day. All the comforts of camping are supplied by my parents. I do the tent-thing with a smile and good attitude to set a positive example to my children.

But when it came to 3am on our first night I wondered if I had to smile any longer and put up a good front. There was a thing crackling branches and moving through the brush just outside our tent.  It woke both of us up, and that certainly proves how loud the noises were as my husband can sleep through anything.

Flashlight?  Yeah, about that. We left it in the trailer. We had a head-light looking lamp inside our tent for in-the-tent-use, but it did not shine like a flashlight.

The intensity of the branches breaking and the on again, off again noise, really didn't sound animal-like. I was not nervous about it being a bear. The park website didn't mention bears in this part of the area; my dad smirked at that comment during breakfast. No, I was certain that it was a crazy-human that needed to get some aggression out and chose our little tent. Never mind the fact that it was situated behind a trailer, with trailers and tents throughout the entire 50+ campsite area. It had chosen our site specifically; amongst the dense trees toppled on top of one another and thick brush. Hence the loud noise of the maneuvering to come get us.  At 3am I was certain it was human.

My husband asked me if I was ever going to settle down to sleep.  I wasn't so certain as my mind had been made up that I was
s-c-a-r-e-d.  Knowing that he didn't have much of a choice, either stay awake with a panicked wife, or find some rest, he politely escorted me to our Toyota for a little break from the action. If you know my husband, you will know that this was truly a sign of love as he would never do this in a million examples on his own free will. He did it out of love for his wife and love for peace and quiet from his wife.

For the record, the backseat is no pull-out sofa.  My husband made it work, however, as I heard evidence that he actually fell asleep.  I kept watch in the front seat, nestled down low, and tried diligently to get comfortable and fall sleep.  After thirty minutes I knew that sleep was no where to be found in my section of our mini-SUV, so I stayed hunkered down with a book that I had kept in the car and read the rest of the night. Sigh. 

The second afternoon my son was sitting around the campfire and just happened to look up to see this:

I am now certain that this was our 3am intruder.  Just a harmless little deer having an early morning snack along the stream and pond in our campsite.  I am sure she had brought all of her friends because this sweet thing barely made a sound.  I am now certain they were having a GNO when they woke me two nights prior; partying it up with every crackling and snap of branches.

Happy Camper in the end.  And in the final, final end, on our trek home, we swung by a mega-camping-store and upgraded our tent. Oh. Joy.

My Dad

Today is my dad's birthday! I like his summer birthday because it always brings out the good weather for family time with an outdoor activity.  This year we celebrated it few days early during our camping adventure with him.

My son was the Master Chef for the party and fixed individual Macaroni and Cheese meals for everyone over the campfire. Those were very easy and tasty good.  He enjoyed every minute of the cooking away from home.

My daughter had made brownies she brought from home and saved the decorating until we were camped.  I like how you can feel and see the love she put into her decorating.  She was excited for this surprise. The brownies were so moist; she did fantastic!

My mom made goody-bags for fun and brought them along for the camping birthday party. We were not certain how the party hats were supposed to be assembled and worn, so we created our own way. My husband looks like a secret spy from Mission Impossible ... or a flunky from the Corps.

My dad is just plain fun.  He knows how to relax and enjoy his surroundings.

 He is multi-talented in the kitchen at home and around a camp stove.

He is quick-on-his-feet and has a great sense of humor. 

 He knows how to fish and try new things.

 He loves his wife, his dog, his grandkids, and his children to the moon and beyond. My dad is a good friend.

He is a one-of-a-kind that I hold dear to my heart and love with all that I have to give. My buddy. My dad.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!!! I LOVE YOU!!! XOXOXO

Water Play

We are on the final hours until we head out the door for a camping excursion. But before we packed up the bathing suits today we headed to a local area lake for some water play with our awesome neighbors, who really are our neighbors, but we prefer to refer to them as our close friends.

It was a perfect ending to a jam-packed-summer-fun-filled week for us.  We put all our shopping and packing to dos on the table and left for a couple hours of this ...

My son's theme was the faster, the wilder, the better. To which my theme back was Oh dear, I can't look and thank goodness I have only one boy! While his friend got up on water skis my son opted to try the knee board.  His friend is a multi-talented athlete and made getting up on skis look so easy (even though it was only his second time out and first time going straight from the water). And my son made knee boarding look like so much fun and easy too that my daughter opted in.

 While he started on his knees, my girl started on her belly and had to pull up to the knee position and then pull the rope off the board. She made it, but lost her balance before we could snap a good photo. She tried a couple of times but by the second face full of water she decided that while it was a good try she'd rather switch back to the tube. I'm proud of both kids for trying something new in the water today.

The sun was nowhere to be found earlier in the day and popped out as we hit the dock to join the fun. Perfect timing. Their boat is gorgeous and our friend drives it like a pro. It is nice to know that while the kids look like they are flying chaotically behind the boat that really they are not, and that they are in great care with our friend's knowledge of boating, sports, and caring personality.

Thanks, C + S + boys, for a wonderful water play day!!!

I'll be out in the wilderness till the weekend ~ have a fabulous week!

Backyard Barbecue

Yesterday we ended our afternoon and into the night with our Montana Second Cousins.  My husband's Uncle and Aunt take their grandsons for two weeks during the summer.  Our calendar's finally matched and the four of them came out to see us for an evening of fun.  The kids have only met on very quick occasions in the past, but after some barbecue in their bellies they became non-stop chatter of activity.

The evening was a switch for my daughter. She is used to always having lots of girls around; from friends in the neighborhood to lots of girl cousins. She found out quick what it was like to be solo at a party. But she didn't seem to mind, as she enjoyed hanging with the adults like an extra big kid.

The three boys play golf, so we got out the clubs and let them hit into the practice net. My daughter decided to give it a try and giggled and acted like she "didn't know" what she was doing. The boys, of course being boys and younger, decided to give her some friendly kidding. Until ... she chipped it perfectly into the bulls-eye red ring of the chipping net. The boys were not only quiet, but they scattered quickly to the swing set. It was classic and my daughter felt pretty cool; being a girl about to enter Middle School and all.

Dessert time around the fire pit brought out endless rounds of the telephone game. The cousins were hilarious at trying to get the message sent. I think a few times the older of the two would actually just switch the message to keep the game moving, because his little brother couldn't spit it out fast enough.

A great evening reconnecting with family by enjoying lots of stories and laughter.

TKD Memory

Today we were up and out early to my son's Taekwondo High-Green Belt testing.  I am so proud of my son. He has come a long way since starting last August, and he's done it all by himself. We drive him to and from, but he puts in all the hard work during class time and at home to get to where he is today. And the bonus ... he absolutely loves it!

I got to watch him Spar this week for the first time. Talk about nerves for this Momma.  My sweet boy was padded up from head to toe as he had to kick and punch, and be kicked and punched by his classmates. This part of TKD I could do with out, but I understand the purpose. From a self-defense view and confidence builder it is vital training.  I just don't like to see the action and have to constantly remind myself of the purpose.

My son moved up to a higher belt class in June. Which means that he is now the low-man on the totem pole, again.  And he likes that.  It makes him work hard to climb the belt ladder all over again. There is a boy (Jake) who is just shy of his black belt, who is the same grade as my son (yes, I know - amazing!) and about the same height as my son, but stocky ... and obviously very good as his belt rank shows.

My son was asked by his Instructor to be Jake's partner during sparring warm-up and practice technique. This other boy was very nice at helping my son learn the ropes. In other words, he didn't go all-out like he very easily could have.  He was very respectful and my son got a great workout.

Then the Instructor asked the students to sit around the mat and sit in pairs if two wanted to freestyle spar with each other; meaning (in my words) you just go for it; kicking and hitting and blocking your opponent. There were two sets that wanted to go in the center mat. The first up were two high-ranking belts, one of the students was Jake.  The two boys were very impressive and looked intimidating out on the mat. When Jake was done, he went and sat next to my son.  I noticed that my son scooted over a little.  The other pair went. Then the Instructor turned to direct this question to Jake, "Okay, are you sitting next to ** because you two are going to Spar?" and the boy replied, "Yes." and my son immediately replied, "We ARE?!"

It was very cute as it was obvious that my son was not so sure about the match-up.  I took it as a compliment that this boy had confidence in my son, and that he had fun with him previously in the class warm up. Or, I could be completely naive and perhaps Jake just wanted an easy target.  But he's a really good kid, so I like to think my first view is the correct one.

They went out center ring and began.  I must say, Jake did some great moves and made my son work hard at my son's level ... and ... my son made contact to Jake at prime times ... the Instructor was very complimentary of my son's moves and thought process of getting his Sparring in towards Jake. It was actually a fun match to watch and I'm proud of both of them.

When my son sat down and took off his helmet, only a proud Momma could love his dripping wet, sweaty head.

Island fun

My children and I had such a fun vacation to an island where we met my college buddy and her two girls. This island is not far from our house, but it felt like worlds away when we were surrounded by God's beauty, little responsibility, and great friends. My friend lives full time on the mainland about forty minutes from my house, and during the school year we try to get together at least every three months.  However, the children see each other about once a year.  My friend and I catch up quick wherever it is that we left off, and the children seemed to do the same.  They were quickly chattering before long once we arrived. It was great!

There is much to do on this island.  One of the favorites is enjoying the waterfront. We saw lots of little critters during the start of the low tide and my son was helpful to pick up each one the girls' requested of him. He loved that duty!  Kite flying and Fort and Lighthouse exploring at an historical monument on the island created great entertainment!

Our friend's island property by itself is a mecca of fun too. My two quickly joined her two in building the Squirrel Fort that is on the side of their detached garage.  That gave my friend and I about two hours of chat time before breaking out the barbecue for dinner.  It was great and the kids were very team work oriented and had the same vision for these squirrels; hotels, spas, bathrooms, cafe ... the squirrels are set!

Of the 25+ acres of property, 9 acres are a dense forest with neat trails that my friend's husband created. Her kids have named little spots here and there; we saw Peter Pan's house, Turtle Rock, The Great Owl Tree, so much more that I couldn't keep track.  But the zip line was the hit of the forest!

Stopping by one of my favorite property pieces, The Cottage, I asked for a group photo.  This Cottage is darling inside and out!  So very cozy as it sits in the back of the property line and somewhat hidden with tall trees around and pretty landscaping. And I love the wrap around porch. About this time we happened upon an animal sighting.  About our dozenth one for the day.

It was after dinner time, after a day of play, of fort building and zip lining, that this Buck walks right past us down the Cottage lane and finalizes his walk to the front deck of  the house we were staying in for his late evening's meal.  He stayed the rest. of. the. night. parked. right. there!! But who could blame him; look at that majestic view!!! By the time we went to bed, he had invited three additional friends.  When we woke up the next morning, two were still there.  The other two were across the driveway in a different field.  My son was in paradise!

The animal lover that he is he did not want to head to bed.  We got ready for bed and his friends chose to follow directions and head to bed, but he was certain that he just had to say another (and another and another) goodnight to those dear still by the back deck.  My friend was gracious to answer all of his questions in the dark of the living room spying on the pack of deer; and bats flying around.  It was neat. A memory my son will never forget.

We went down to the beach at the end of their hill before heading back to the boat to come home. When we woke that morning the fog was thick, but burned off enough to enjoy some sun and sand. It was very relaxing which made it hard to pack up to leave.

The island has a relaxing appeal.  Life slows down and you are able to enjoy the beauty of the majestic scenery all around you with the massive water, the mountain range, the forest trails, and all the wild animals graciously walking or flying about.  It was fantastic!

A great mini-vacation that the three of us will never forget!

Thank you, J.H. and girls!!!  We loved your company and entertainment.