Ohanapecosh 09

This weekend we took our annual camping trip to Ohanapecosh. I drove the truck with Dana, Aubrey & Malcolm; and Laurel drove with Daddy in his car, since he had to work on Saturday and Sunday. Doug was in the lead and missed the turn off for Hwy 123 ~ lucky for us! Because before we turned around, we stumbled on Tipsoo Lake and a series of trails just past it. It's on our list for next summer!

We arrived and got the tent set up. This year we camped with The Campbells, Uncle Scott, and The Stuards. When we arrived, Camp Stuard was already set up, and we were anxious to show them around and take a short hike before it got dark.

Uncle Andy helped Laurel and Malcolm build the campfire. They used the very intricate log cabin style, and it was great! Doug headed back down the mountain after dinner and some campfire fun.

On Saturday morning (much later than we normall get going) after the rain seemed to be done with us, we took the Silver Falls hike. It's my favorite part of camping at Ohanapecosh. We ended up in 2 (and sometimes 3) different groups along the trail. Mindy, Cam & Julia are apparently much faster hikers than Dana. ;) We all met up for lunch, and then again for a group picture (timer set by Malcolm) before we turned around and headed back to camp. Mindy's group was so fast I didn't get many pictures of them!

Sunday was a BEAUTIFUL day! We wanted to take advantage of the slower, lower river level and jump off the rocks near the bridge (read: MALCOLM wanted to jump, I wanted to take pictures). However, Dana and an unknown subject met up overnight, and her right forearm swelled up to alarming proportions. After a lengthy visit with a National Park Ranger EMS dude (who was very nice and patient) we decided to leave for home ~ specifically Enumclaw General Hospital. There were some very disappointed (dare I say angry) children in the truck.

As we reached a specific point (which has since been forgotten), the views of Mt. Rainier were simply too breathtaking to pass up...Dana's breathing was still normal, and she wasn't complaining, so we piled out of the truck and snapped some pictures.

And as we reached Skookum Falls Lookout, it was time to stop for lunch. We had SO much fun playing in the river. It was cold -- and much faster than it looked, but we all enjoyed getting out of the truck & car and exploring. Uncle Scott rescued a rogue flip-flop. Uncle Andy & Uncle Scott had a strong-man rock throwing contest. And we all ate way too many salt & vinegar potato chips. I'd love to go back to see how much this particular part of the river changes with each season.

But as we pulled into Enumclaw, I realized that the swelling in Dana's arm was increasing, and it was starting to change colors, too. So we stopped at the Enumclaw Emergency Room. The doctor decided that most likely she was stung by a bee. He gave her a dose of Benadryl, and put her on a prescription. And then warned us that because this was her first sting, she should be cautious around bees in the future. Dana was thrilled when the doctor presented her with Disney Princess tattoos, and insisted I put them on her -- one on each hand, and one on each arm.

After almost two hours, it was time to leave. And as the old saying goes, "Red sky at night ~ sailors' delight..." We sure are glad summer isn't quite over yet...

Sounders FC | Meet the Players

Laurel and Malcolm attended a Sounders FC soccer camp this summer. As a reward for their efforts, they were invited to watch a Sounders FC practice at Qwest Field, and then to meet the players. Dana stayed for a fun play date with Preston, and Doug took the other 3, plus our friend Megan.

They had a great time, and collected a LOT of signatures on their t-shirts as well as player-cards. The weather even cooperated for them. And they got to meet Chris Egan from King 5 Sports.

On the way home, the van ran out of gas and our little group was stranded for almost 2 hours. Doug was late for work (very late), and our poor babysitter (who had never 'sat for us) thought something horrid had happened to them. It was an unfortunate end to an otherwise very enjoyable day.

Escaped!

We're not sure which one dug the hole, but we know that Henry is the one who got under. And then couldn't get back. Silly dog!

Fort Casey, Coupeville and Meeting Sam

When Laurel got home with such rave reviews after Camp Casey this summer, we decided to put it on our Summer To-Do List. I didn't realize it would be at the end of the summer! But it was worth the wait!

We got on the road later than I wanted to (surprised?) and ended up waiting in a long line for the ferry from Mukilteo to Clinton. This gave the kids some time to pick blackberries ~ just at the peak-ripeness!

When we finally reached the terminal we had another 45 minutes to wait, so we visited the Mukilteo Lighthouse. It's so cute and small. If memory serves me correctly, there are just 25 steps to the top.

The ferry ride to Clinton was much shorter than any of us expected, but it was a great chance to stretch our legs again.

Then we were finally at Fort Casey! We flew kites, explored the Fort, and visited the Admiralty Head Lighthouse. It was a beautiful day to be on Whidbey Island!!

And just when we thought it couldn't get any better, we made our way to Coupeville. And the Candy Store. And the ice cream shop. And they were as wonderful as Laurel promised us back in March!

If you think it's not possible for the day to get any better ~ you're wrong. On the way home we drove across Deception Pass (at sunset!)...

...and landed in Lake Stevens for dinner. Where we finally got to meet Samuel Benjamin Aprecio. He's Hottie's & Matty's baby. That almost makes our kids his cousins. He is as cute as a button. We couldn't tell he'd emptied the contents of his poor tummy (and then some) just hours before our arrival. Or that we kept him up well past his bedtime. We could only tell that he loved us -- his smile told us so!

I loved this day so much that I want to go back and do it again. And not just for the amazing licorice taffy. The memories are priceless!

the kids have become quite fond of Books on CD. On this road trip we listened to another "Hank the CowDog" and a book called "The Ghost of Fossil Glen" ~ which was a bit spooky and which we finished before falling asleep in Laurel's room (because nobody wanted to sleep alone).