Marathon Capming

When scheduling camping trips with two different groups I didn't realize I was planning them back to back because Labor Day fell so early this year. I think it turned out for the best. We didn't have to unpack and clean up the mess just to turn around and repack and head out again. Instead, we went to Lake Chelan for three nights with friends and then headed directly over to Mt. Ranier to camp with family and friends for another 3 nights. I think it's the longest I have ever camped. Everyone was worried about me doing that being 7 1/2 months pregnant, but it was true, all you really to is eat and sit around and your husband is always there to help! And the kids ran around and played so much they were asking to go to bed every night at about 8pm. That part was great since school started the next day. Highlights of the trip were Slidewaters where the kids did not stop all day long, except for some long breaks in the giant hot tub and the flea market in Packwood.
Tyson and Rick swimming in Lake Chelan after jumping off the dock.Kate playing in the sand.Bradley (with Logan and Tyler) after a trip to his favorite place, the camp consession stand.

Sean, Mike, and Rick, getting some 'air'. An annual favorite.
The women taking a lunch break, not to say that we didn't hit the slides.

Even the younger boys felt like they 'ruled' the park heading wherever they wanted. Not slowed down by the cool/sometimes gusty breeze.
Kate loved ALL the slides, I'm glad she's a little daredevil at such a young age. By the end of the day she was swimming across the hot tub underwater to me.

Next, we were on to Mt. Ranier which was much darker and COLD (40's and 50's with some sprinkles). It was also much dirtier because in Chelan we were camping on grass. But Kate was happy with her new set of friends. Brooke Greenwood, Sam Hartman, Christine Rew, and Megan Hatch (not pictured).

Feeling even bigger than I look. And getting bigger faster with all of the good camping food.

The boys went on a few hikes to the Blue Hole and Purcell Falls.
And then back home to loads and loads of filthy laundry....... but look at those faces, it was all worth it!

Hanging out at the POOL

The kids and I spent two weeks in Tri-Cities at my parents house. It's become an annual thing. The kids get swimming lessons and lots of swimming time. We all get toasty brown (and blonde) and I get to spend time with my mom decorating, shopping, garage saling, and visiting. (and bonus-Grandpa babysits alot!). This year was great because Bradley got comfortable with the deep end of the pool. He ended the two weeks doing cannon balls and dives off the diving board. Yea! And Kate figured out how to get rings off the bottom of the baby pool, submerging most of her body each time. Once she learned she did it 100 times in a row. And she was as excited each time she did it as if it was the first time, so I was too! I'm glad she's so comfortable in the water at this age. Tyson passed from level 5 to 6 and learned the breaststroke. He's becoming a really good swimmer. It was fun to spend time with my brother Brian, the kids sure loved building forts for baby Zachary (9 monthes) and luckily he survived the experience. This kids also got to take trips to the dump with Grandpa, and hang out with their Richland friends. And I did too. We also went to an outdoor movie when Rick joined us for the weekend. The Gealtas also joined us again, for what we think is our 5th year running. They didn't come to the pool as often because Rebecca's sister has moved an hour away, but it was great when they did come and fun to carry on our little tradition.