October Getaway

It's the middle of October...  what have we been doing with our time?  Building a campground?  I should go back and find some random daily life photos to share... but in the mean time here are some photos from our 3 night trip to the coast.  The boys and I went camping with the Renekers at Costona.  I met my spring camping resolution of setting the tent up on my own (I did a practice run at the Inn Town Campground before we left) and feel like I could handle going camping without Dan again (although it certainly helped that he packed all the camping gear).    

A little San Francisco culture with Uncle Bob.

Debra 2015

So July is really a blur in my world, so here we are months later and I finally finished editing the photos from our trip to Debra in July.  Favorite highlights this year:  jumping of Whisky, canoe trips in the Black Hole, driving Woodstock, swimming at the Beach & Tennis club, taking Peg for a canoe ride, reading, hanging out with family.  Here's a collection of photos before they get lost in the archives.

2nd and 5th grade

 

First day of school, 2nd and 5th grade for these monkeys.  I keep wanting to make the time for all the amazing summer fun family memories here on the blog, and I probably will, once I fully recover from motel summer season.  So in the mean time, we'll celebrate another start of the school year.  Both boys have the same teacher they've had for the last 2 years, so they're both like, "Yeah, been there, done that."  Ben's really excited about a computer programing class he gets to take on Wednesday with his enrichment class and Josh is excited about the tumbling class.  They're both suppose to be working on their country projects (see below), Josh is doing Botswana and Ben is doind Ancient Greece.  We're trying to find the right work/school balance, it's a bit more of a challenge this year with the campground project full steam ahead.  

Happy 10th Birthday Mr. Ben

Happy 10th Birthday Mr. Ben.  There are so many wonderful things about this young man, he loves reading, is obsessed with Mine Craft, is training for his black belt in Kuk Swool Won, still eats most vegetables with ketchup, loves pepperoni pizza and cookie dough ice cream.  His highlights this year included: a trip to Alaska, a visit to Disneyland with Uncle Mino and Lisa, Camp Nana on the Salmon River, a day trip to Camp Augusta, going skiing in Crested Butte, going camping, going swimming in Nana's pool, going to the Maker Faire, playing with his friends.....

For his birthday party we went to 49er Fun Park with Raja, Tavish, Reyn, Amarion, Toby, Orion and Aiden.  Thanks Geoff for helping drive one of the Go Karts.  

Dan and I are proud to have such a fabulous kid, and kudos to us for surviving our first decade as parents!  We get that this is a life time agenda and are excited about the future.  

Alaska Sea Life Center, Caines Head hike and more

More photos from Alaska, a trip to the Alaska Sea Life Center, a hike out to Caines Head, a wet walk up the river creek.  

O Alaska

O Alaska, so many beautiful places...  we loved the train ride from Anchorage to Seward (I say that in the plural by meaning that Erica and I loved the train and the boys had varying moments of loving it and loathing it).  Welcome to Alaska.. so great to hang out with college friends and relax.

Camping in Lakes Basin

3 nights away, my camping check list continues to include: no cell phone coverage, a nap, coffee and wine outside and reading.  Taking a hike is bonus.  Spent Thursday day hanging out with Jesse, fun to go for a hike in the rain.  The boys joined us Thursday night.  Friday afternoon and evening we were joining by Lillian, Julian, Kim, Peter, Ana and the Dixons (Erin, Randy and Ani).  It rained quite a bit, but thankfully we had the gas fire pit, an awning and a heater in the caravan.  It was a treat on Saturday to go for a hike in a hail storm, how often do you hike through high alpine lakes with every weather pattern available (it rained, the sun came out, we heard thunder).  Dan's first try with the dutch oven didn't quite go as planned, but I think we'll give it another try.  We'll skip the details on Josh's intestinal issue, but just say that Dan continues to prove himself a saint.  Great to spend time with friends and get away from the never ending to do lists.