Leavenworth

I wouldn't call this real camping, although the dirt is real and kids get just as dirty as real camping. Our plan this year was to camp at a KOA in Leavenworth. It's not real camping because it had a pool, a game room, go carts to rent, tub rental for the Wenatchee River, and paved roads. It was a fun place. They have flush bathrooms, showers and the best part, a sink to do dishes in with hot water. That was nice. Savanah dancing in the tent. Yeah, we all fit in there.

Stud

Savanah and her best bud, Joshua.

Deer

The kids loved the paved road so they could ride to their hearts content.

An apple tree at a camping spot?? Seriously?
Lucy aka "The Mermaid" is doing great at swimming.

Savanah was in Dog heaven. So many dogs around. She had to pet every "nice" pet there was. This dog reminds me of Sunny. Sunny passed away a couple of days after this picture was taken. She was our adopted dog who lived on the Royal Slope and belonged to the Lee Family. We love you Sunny.

We checked out the City of Leavenworth.

We had so much fun camping with the McClungs.

Wonder where year 5 will be? They truly are Great Friends.

Family Pictures

My Mother-in-law found the perfect spot for all her family to gather and take a big family picture by the water. It was a very hot day. And for our family who are accustom to the Seattle weather, I'm not surprised at all by the outcome at the end of the day. Notice Lucy's shirt in this picture. She was up to her neck before we even took pictures.

Finally as everyone was leaving I told em to just jump in.

My kids were the only ones swimming.

I would have too had our outfits been a different color.

Summer Finale

I've been receiving comments lately regarding my dormant blog. But you've got to give me some slack people, I've had five kids home full time with me all summer long. This Wednesday it all ends. The fun ends. I love the no set schedules, no homework, no this and that of school routine. Just them and I. Doing what we do best, play. And this summer was no disappointment. In fact I think this was by far the BEST SUMMER EVER! I love my kids. I am not ready to let them go back. I just might cry the first day of school just because I miss all the excitement in my house, not to mention that I'll have a Fourth grader, Third grader, Kindergartner, a Preschooler, and a helper at home

Some of our 2010 Summer Adventures were:

Went to Ut for 2wks

vacation on the Royal Slope (BlissfullLEE)

took family pictures

visited Seattle fountain

took Ferries to Bremerton and Bainbridge

Saw Battleship Joy Turner

first time at Pikes Place

camping w/friends

went fishing

swam in a pond

smores on our very own fire pit

slept under the stars

tubed down Wentachee River

found 120 snails

attended a family reunion

didn't stop at one yard sale! gasp.

Weekly Den meetings

hiked Lake Youngs trail

biked on Cedar River Trail (finally)

passed Ellensberg 8 times (coming and going to fun places)
Cub Scout Day Camp

Painted my living room

Removed a tree from my yard

Swam in neighbors pool

Snorkeled for the first time in a murky lake

saw a seagull pick a sting ray from the water five feet from me

I needed this bright summer to give me opportunities to bond, laugh and learn from my little family. I am happy to experience life with them. And can honestly say I felt joy from them many times. Learning to unify ourselves in activities, strenghten our testimonies of the Savior together and learning to laugh, let things roll, sometimes, to forgive and forget and move forward with one another. These are some of the treasured things I will take from this summer.