Father's Day Trip to Cape Disappointment

This year for Tyler's Father's Day celebration we went on a trip to the coast. Tyler's mom and his step-father have been working for the National Parks Service as Light House Keepers at the Cape Disappointment State Park. They have been providing tours of the lighthouse and my father in law has also been keeping trails intact for hikers amongst other tasks. We were excited to see where they had been working and to learn more about Washington State history and ...of course...enjoy the ocean.

Reilly ended up not being able to go with us. Her week long Dance Camp ended up being that week unfortunately. The cabins and campgrounds there fill up very quickly for the summer and we had only this one opening to go so we had to go without her. It was VERY STRANGE to be minus one child on a vacation. The entire time I kept looking around for where she had wandered off to. Luckily my mom saved the day and came and stayed with her until camp started and then took her to camp at Gonzaga. She also by the sound of it spoiled her rotten and became the hero of the Dance Team by helping them out with their craft projects. My mom is awesome!! Thanks so much for all that you have done for us!! We love you.

Back to our trip. We drove through the night to arrive there early in the morning (it is the best way to travel for us) The day we arrived was rainy, windy, and cold. We made good time and arrived extra early so we crossed the bridge into Astoria, OR so Tyler (a big Goonies fan) could see where The Goonies was filmed and see the Goonies House. It is now a private residence but there was a sign that said that "Goonies" could walk up to the house on foot. Well, Tyler drew the line at that...fan or not...he wasn't about to do that. But he wasn't above stalking the house from the road and zooming in for pictures. See below.

 There it is in all it's grainy glory at about 5:30 am. GOONIES NEVER SAY DIE!!

Another interesting sight was spotted in Long Beach. Before we drove to Astoria I had to pee like you couldn't believe...driving through the night whilst consuming vast quantities of caffinated beverages to stay awake will do that to you. Word to the wise...there are zero...I repeat zero... 24 hour gas stations, grocery stores, anything...anywhere in that neck of the world. Zip. Zero. Zilch. As we drove through Long Beach desperately looking for anything to be open... a gruesome sight caught our eyes. Tyler was like "Check that out!" In between two store fronts, on a set of stairs, were two people seriously going at it...doing the deed...right before our very eyes. Wouldn't you know it all the kids woke up just in time for the show. Luckily not a one knew what was happening. I would've had Tyler circle the block another time for another looksie...because you just don't see that every day now do you?...but I was getting desperate. Nothing was open...no park bathrooms, no beach bathrooms, absolutely nothing. I was just telling Tyler to find a nice dark corner when low and behold we spied a port-a-potty. By then the gruesome twosome had finished and shuffled on. It got the trip off to an exciting start.

When we arrive at where Grandma Judie and Grandpa Joel were staying it was about 40 below, 60 mile an hour winds and a driving rain. Luckily Grandpa Joel had hot pancakes and fresh local strawberries waiting for us and some much needed hot mint tea for me. (Another word to the wise...getting to the Cape Disappointment State Park is VERY windey. If you suffer at all from car sickness...prepare. I was green as can be. My nephew Dane would've have been sicker than a dog. Although I do feel it might be blamed on the maroon mini-van we were traveling in. To long time readers of this blog...yes the curse is still in effect. Maroon mini-van rental = puking Johnsons.)

Nothing is more restorative to the body than fresh sea air and we Johnsons... like the Goonies....never say die!! So out into the wet wild we went.

What a glorious sight we beheld. There is nothing that stirs the human soul more than the sight of the sea. I can't explain it. When it's been a long time since I've been to the ocean I seriously LONG for it. The ocean has a pull on the hearts of men and women.

We were a little bit chilly but gloriously happy to be there!! It doesn't matter the weather. The ocean is a beautiful sight. And it doesn't matter the temperature. I have Ellersick blood running through my veins and true to my blood and our absolute love of water no matter how cold. I ran directly into the ocean. Much to the shock of those around me. That was the sign my children had been waiting for and into the ocean they ran. Much to their Grandma's dismay and worry about undertows and riptides. But we kept a close eye on them and only one went swimming...take a guess who? Oh yeah. It was Bryn. It didn't take her too long to run into the water...plop into the icy surf...and yell "I swimming!!"

The boy felt the call of the sea and couldn't deny it. Soon he was up to his knees in the icy water with a thrilling grin on his face.

This one wasn't so sure. Ailey is our most timid child. She fears quite a few things. Heights, bridges, and she thought the ocean. She liked to stay close to Grandma looking for shells and other interesting things on the beach. But then...I came for her. She couldn't get away. I grabbed her hand and ran as fast as I could dragging her into the water. And guess what? SHE LOVED IT!! As I knew she would. Sometimes Ailey just needs a big push. Then there was no stopping her.

Bryn's joy was absolutely a pleasure to behold. It was all new to her. Check out this video. It will make your day. Ignore Tyler's finger in the corner. This was Bryn just finally figuring it all out. She was so excited. This is how excited she was over a little puddle on the beach. Times that by a million and you will get how excited she was by the actual ocean.

Grandma and Grandpa had buckets and sand toys perfect for collecting shells and other interesting items to be found on the beach and for playing in the sand. Ailey and Bryn were in HEAVEN.

Speaking of interesting things that were washing up on the beach...lots of tsunami debris. Here my father-in-law is holding up a buoy with Japanese writing on it. There were a lot of Japanese bottles, buoys, a Japanese golf ball...just tons of stuff. My mother and father-in-law were on the news a few days before because they spotted a Japanese dingy floating in from the lighthouse. They had to guard it on the beach to keep people away from it and ended up being on the news.

It didn't take too long for the sun to come out and for the weather to turn beautiful. Perfect to take some pictures.

Here we are with Tyler's Mom Judie

Grandpa and Grandma with the grandkids

Ahh...feels so good.

Kameron had fun writing in the sand

My favorite message!!

We checked into our cute little cabin. It was just the right amount of "camping" for me. Unfortunately there were no bathrooms and you had to use the campground bathrooms and that was just a bit "too much camping" for me. Especially with a 3 year old who has to pee constantly.

Here's a little look inside our cabin:

It slept the five of us very easily. We could've crammed Reilly in as well without any problem. It was super cozy and cute.

 Kam chillin' in the cabin. You can also rent a Yurt...which would be super fun. I mean who wouldn't want to say that they have spent a night in a yurt? Those were also closer to the nicer bathrooms.

Of course this is where I would like to stay the next time we go. The historic lighthouse caretaker's home. You can rent this for $400 a night (we would need to bring some friends or family with us), has bathrooms, a kitchen and even a ghost. Can't beat that!!

 We also went here which was very interesting if you are into history and museums...which I happen to be. I learned a lot. They also have all kinds of fun hands-on interactive things for the kids to do. They could touch nearly everything which makes it a lot more fun for them.

Bryn ran around madly touching things...she had a marvelous time.

Kam liked to look at things he was interested in at his own pace.

Ailey was loving the whole thing. She was super into it and was madly filling out all the paper work and quiz that they gave her to earn her "Junior Ranger" badge. She stayed right with Grandma and listened to all the extra knowledge Grandma had to share. The museum was interesting to the kids because it was all about Washington History and Lewis and Clark. They have both studied WA history in school...especially Kam.

Having passed the test and taking the oath to be an official Junior Ranger

It was pretty cool. The kids had to really pay attention and fill out a big questionnaire to earn the badge and patch. Kameron can actually wear that patch on his scout uniform sash thing. Cool. As for Bryn...let's just say she was an honorary junior ranger. :)

 Man we missed having Reilly there with us. She would've loved every minute of the vacation.

This is the other light house at Cape Disappointment. There are two. This one is the North Head Lighthouse. Both lighthouses are still in use.

 We explored the old fort there as well. This was a fort that was used to defend this area from Civil War times through WWII. It was fascinating. You could see the places where the cannons used to be located. Very cool.

Grandpa took us hiking

 This is a hike that he took us off the beaten path. It was on a trail that he has been maintaining. It wound around the cove and took us up a hidden stone staircase to an old battery tower...all the while over looking the most gorgeous views. You can't believe the size of some of the fallen trees that Joel has had to saw through. He is a great hiking guide. Bryn was unbelievable. She hiked the entire time all on her own even after having run down the beach looking at things for about 3-4 miles. Seriously. She is a little dynamo.

 There are several other hikes that would be so much fun to come back and do. Next time we will definitely bring our bikes. There were some fantastic biking trails.

 We ate the most amazing seafood while we were there. Hands down the best steamed clams I have EVER had. Holy moly. Fabulous fish and chips, chowder, crab...so good!!

 We loved this place. OleBob's Seafood Market and Cafe. I had done a bunch of research on the Internet before coming and this place got rave reviews. Judie and Joel said that this was the place that all the locals recommended as well. Talk about fresh...the fishermen were coming in the back door from the marina (right behind the market) in their rubber fishing boots dropping off the catch of the day as we were walking in. FABULOUS!! We will definitely be back.

It was fun to catch up with Judie and Joel and meet all their friends. They have definitely enjoyed their stay and they have been asked to come back in the fall and do it all over again. I guess fall is a great time to visit Cape Disappointment...better weather...etc. So we will be making another trip then.

 This is the lighthouse that Judie and Joel have been working at. The actual Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. It is the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast. It protects ships from the treacherous area known as The Graveyard of the Pacific.

 It is located in the most beautiful area. So stunningly gorgeous. Lots of wildlife. A bear was spotted the day before and it is a great spot for whale watching.

It doesn't get much prettier than this!!

 Grandpa Joel gave us the "official tour". He does a great job!! Brynnie had to stay at the bottom with Grandma. She is too young to go up to the top. You have to be 7 or older. Also, you cannot wear flip flops. You must have proper shoes to make the climb to the top of the lighthouse.

Kam making the climb. Not for the claustrophobic or Acrophobic (fear of heights). I suffer from these occasionally but wasn't bothered a bit. Ailey...phobia girl...had no problem. Oddly it was Tyler who never suffers from either of these who felt it while making the climb. Weird.

 I cannot for the life of me describe how unbelievable beautiful it was up in the glass tower. Pictures and words cannot describe. I never wanted to leave. I wanted to stay there forever soaking it all in. Fabulous. Fabulous. If you ever have a chance to go up in a lighthouse I HIGHLY recommend it. For whatever reason I felt very Anne of Green Gables up there.

Joel still giving us the tour...so interesting. He also told us the ghost story while we were up there. Apparently the old lighthouse caretaker from the 20's had a wife who never got used to living out there all isolated with the constant wind and crashing waves. She was miserable. One day she took her coat, kissed her husband, took her dog for a walk down the path to the lighthouse, and leaped off the cliff into the sea. (She had to be a fool because I would've LOVED to live out there with Tyler in that rad house and beautiful spot). Anyway...the story goes that she haunts the place...the house, lighthouse, and surrounding area. I asked Joel if he had ever seen anything weird. He said no but that sometimes you just get the strangest feeling that you aren't alone...a feeling that makes you look over your shoulder and no one is there. Now my father-in-law is NOT a fanciful man. He is a 100% practical man. So when he says that he has felt something...I BELIEVE. :)

Anytime that we weren't on the beach Bryn was put out. She wanted to be down in the sand and the surf ALL.THE.TIME. This was her famous saying... it always either began with "Uh Mommy...", "Uh Daddy...", "Uh Grandma...", "Uh Grandpa..." "I need to have some sand on my toe!!" (Her version of "I want to put my feet in the sand.")

We tried to oblige her wishes as much as possible. This was Tyler's favorite beach...Waikiki Beach. It is where Lewis and Clark came ashore when they finished their expedition. It is also the only "Swim-Safe" beach in the area and it was fun to watch all the surfers out there. Next time if the weather is better it would be so much fun to actually "swim in the ocean."

Grandpa Joel loves the Ocean just as much as we do. He was in the water nearly as much as we were.  Love that guy!!

Check out that smile!!

 He played and played with the kids. Dug big holes for them to wade in. Got totally wet and sandy having fun with the kids and boy do they love him. He also makes amazing toys and had twin penguins for Ailey and Bryn when we got there. Bryn thinks he is invincible. We went into a gift shop that had a bunch of toys and she told the woman at the counter "Grandpa made all these toys!!"

Grandma fed us well and kept a good eye on the kids so that Tyler and I could run around and have some fun too. We had a really nice time visiting with both of them.

Trying to drag Kameron out of the ocean was nearly impossible. He flat out refused to come out of the water. The kid is part fish.

 It was impossible to get a good picture of Bryn because she always looked like this...see below...madly on the run!!

Ailey with Bryn...doing her Mermaid pose

 We drove home via Portland. We didn't have much time but we did drive around to get a feel for the city...located the temple, stopped at a few shops and places that I wanted to go to...and went to eat at a place I have being wanting to try. Cafe Yumm.

My friend Janyse has been talking my ear off about this place and how much I would love it. She even brought back some of their famous "Yumm Sauce" and made me lunch with it. So, of course, I was excited to try it out for myself. This is the perfect place for my family of vegetarians and good for non vegetarians. It was DIVINE. (One thing I absolutely love about Seattle and Portland are all the vegetarian food options!! Fabulous!! Come on Spokane get with the program.)

 That dangerously addictive sauce

 I loved Portland!! I've been there before but for some reason it seemed all "new". Tyler and I definitely need to do that trip sans kids. There are so many quirky places and fun things to do. It would be a great little romantic getaway.

Our ride home was long and hellish. Somewhere along the route I caught a HORRIBLE cold and so did Kameron and we were miserable. It seemed to take forever to get home and we were so happy when we did. I love to travel but I especially love coming home!!


 “Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think.”--Robert Henri

( I whole-heartedly agree!!)

Summer Has Started!!

It has really gotten off to a fun start!! School got out on Friday and on Friday night Tyler and Kameron took off for Kam's first official Scout Camp Out. Kameron had a great time and was so happy to have his Dad there too.

 

 

 Here he is cooking dinner. The boys had to cook their own meals. H is making Mac and Cheese and Hot Dogs.

Then it was Father's Day...

My kids are so lucky to have such an amazing man as their father. He does such an incredible job with them. He can be strict; he has high expectations; he is always in their business; but he plays hard; has fun with them; and loves them dearly and they know it!!

Then we packed our bags to head to the coast for a few days. It was wonderful!! Reilly wasn't able to go with us because she was starting her Dance Camp at Gonzaga at the same time. Luckily my mom was able to come and stay with her and get her off to camp. My mom is amazing. We love her so much and are so appreciative of all that she does for our family.

The Coast was BEAUTIFUL!! When we arrived the weather was cold and rainy but later in the day it warmed up and the sun came out and we had fantastic weather while we were there. More on that later. But here are a few pictures:

This is where we were visiting...Cape Disappointment. It was stunningly beautiful. It is amazing how invigorating the sea air is and the sound of the waves crashing. Absolutely restorative. I could have stayed on the beach all day every day.

A little chilly at first...but very happy to be there!!

 Then the sun came out and it got warm and beautiful!! Our kids had the best time just running madly on the beach. We did too. It was a fantastic trip. We had a ball and even got to explore Portland a bit on our way home. We love to travel and definitely make the most of it when we do. We jam packed as much fun and activities into a few days as we could. It was a great trip. We came home sandy, dirty, exhausted and full of fun memories. I also acquired a wicked cold on the way home unfortunately.  Reilly comes home from camp tomorrow and we are looking forward to enjoying every bit of summer!!

Book Reviews

Oh yeah it is!! Since Summer has officially started at our house today with it being the last day of school and all it is only fitting that I do a few book reviews. In just a few short minutes I will load up the kids and take them to the library to enroll them in the Kids Summer Reading Program as is our tradition.

In case you were wondering what I am currently reading...here you go:

Both are...so far...quite good and interesting in different ways. Also on my night stand is:

 

It is wonderful. Very thought and discussion provoking. I am highlighting the heck out of it. I have to say that it has already given me some much needed insight. 

But we are talking about Book Reviews here. I just finished these two books:

  From Goodreads: 

 On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Force bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood.  Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared.  It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard.  So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War...The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini... Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater.  Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.

This is a book that so many people I know have read and loved. It has been on my list to read for quite some time. I just couldn't quite find the right mood to read a book that I knew would be a heavy read. As Memorial Day rolled around my thoughts were turned to the men and women of the armed forces who paid the ultimate price for my freedom and for those who were currently serving.  Sometimes I don't necessarily enjoy being reminded of the price of freedom. It's hard to think about and hard to comprehend and usually hurts... but I need to be...over and over again. I am grateful for the reminder that I received by reading this book.

I am not going to lie. I didn't always LOVE this book. I had to put it down and walk away from it for a few days and then come back to it. It is a heavy book. The obstacles that Louie (a former Olympian) overcame were almost impossible to believe. The experiences he had adrift at sea and his hellish time as a POW of the Japanese were difficult to read.

I am guilty of not being as aware of the history of WWII from the perspective of the Pacific Theater. I enjoyed learning more. One of my grandfathers served in WWII in the Pacific and I now want to know more about his experiences and wish I would have asked more questions when he was alive. My other grandfather was a B-17 Bomber Pilot who flew missions over Germany. He flew 30 combat missions in his plane The Goin' Jessie. I felt like I learned so much more about what his experiences must have been like as I read about Phil and Louie and their crew and their plane Superman.

This may not have been the easiest book to read as the story of Louie Zamporini is both inspirational and absolutely heart-wrenching. all at the same time. The images and this story will be with me for quite some time. It is a beautiful book and I am a better person for having read it.

My Rating: EXCELLENT 

From Goodreads:

If you look at an atlas of the United States, one published around, say , 1940, there is, in the state of Indiana, north of New Castle and east of the Epileptic Village, a small town called Mooreland. In 1940 the population of Mooreland was about three hundred people; in 1950 the population was three hundred, and in 1960, 1970, and 1980, and so on. The book that follows is about a child from Mooreland, Indiana, written by one of the three hundred. It's a memoir, and a sigh of gratitude, a way of returning. I no longer live there; I can't speak for the town or its people as they are now. Someone has taken my place. Whoever she is, her stories are her own (taken in part from the prologue).

This was the book that I read while simultaneously reading Unbroken. It was another highly recommended book. People LOVE it. Hmmm...really? I didn't. I mean I didn't hate it but I certainly didn't love it and, despite everyone's assertions that I would, I never once laughed out loud. I just found Zippy to be annoying. I was always wondering to myself "Can there really be this many odd ducks in a town of 300 and are they annoyed that she wrote about them?" and "What is the POINT of this book?" and "Is something ever going to HAPPEN?" That said, I did enjoy the glimpse of small town America in the 1970s and the unique gaggle of quirky townsfolk. I just don't get all the hype about the book and found the writing to be disjointed. I am in the minority here people so read it and decide for yourself but I found it to be rather blah.

My Rating: Ok...nothing spectacular.

 Winding Down

Things are FINALLY starting to wind down. Well...sort of. School ends tomorrow. I have mixed feelings. I am looking forward to more relaxed days and evenings with school out and most activities over until the fall. That said , we are still going to be pretty busy but nothing like during the school year. Just this next week...we are heading out of town for a few days, Reilly starts a week long Dance Camp, Tyler and Kameron are going on a scout camp out...and then we will start up with swim lessons, tennis lessons, golf, summer piano, multiple vintage sales, big trip to KC, Dance Team stuff, and hopefully a lot of lake time.

Here are some of our latest activities:

 Ailey with her piano teacher...my friend, Jodi

Ailey had her Spring Piano Recital. She did a great job!! She played the Bridal Chorus by Wagner. She is hoping Aunt Jordin will let her play it at her wedding. Ha ha!!

  So darn cute!!

 

 

We also attended our friends' daughter's graduation party. Those are some big smiles. It is hard to say who was more excited about this graduation...Stephanie or her parents! Love the Thumstedters!!

I had friends over for lunch yesterday (should have taken a picture) as our last hurrah...before all the kiddos are home for the summer. It was fun.

As the school year draws to a close...once again I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out good teacher gifts for this year. Both Ailey and Kameron have had wonderful teachers. They go to such a great school and all the teachers are amazing.

This is what their teachers are getting this year...lucky devils:

 Only the best cupcakes in the world from my friend, Judy's bake shop...Sweet Frostings. I got the BEST birthday cake from there this year. (Not the one pictured in my last post...from my birthday party at Luna's...but that one was good too).

I'm talking about this one. Check it out!! Salted Carmel Birthday Cake. Carmel Cake with Carmel Frosting. OH.MY.GOODNESS!! It was so FABULOUS!! Due to it's deliciousness and the fact that, I alone, ate 90% of it... I am currently doing the Jillian Michael's Cleanse to rid myself of the poundage packed on because of it. I'll let you know if it works!! ;)

So the end of the school year is in sight...the weather is still slightly chilly...BRING ON SUMMER!!

I'm 40

Well...it's official. I am forty. How does it feel? A little weird. But also not that bad. My friend Becky put things in perspective on her post to me on FB. She said that forty is kind of exciting and that perhaps 50 will be a more sobering birthday. That worked for me. I plan to enjoy the heck out of my forties and save a mid-life crisis for 50.

I did have a wonderful birthday...multiple celebrations!! I am a very blessed woman who is married to an amazing man. I have 4 fantastic children. I have the BEST friends and wonderful family. I am one luck lady!!

So here's to 40 and FABULOUS!! 

 

Forget March Madness
(Disclaimer...Blogger is really ticking me off with it's inability to do what I want it to with spacing and placement!! Ugh!! I give up.)


It's more like May Madness into June Madness...Mother's Day, Anniversary, 50 million school programs, recitals, performances, sports wrap ups, Memorial Day, into my birthday, Father's Day, Ailey's birthday, Ailey's baptism, vacation, camps etc. Wow.

Here's the latest: 

Ailey had her Ballet Recital. She was a Flower in Peter and the Wolf. I am truly amazed at how much she has improved since last year. She has worked really hard and it shows!! She did a fantastic job.

 Reilly's Choir Concert

Reilly had her final Choir Concert of the year. Her high school Music Department put on an absolutely fantastic concert. The band, orchestra and choir were amazing. Seriously. There are some very talented kids and hard-working teachers at her school. Reilly was in Treble Choir. She tried out and has since made Symphonic Choir for next year.

Reilly's wearing the red ribbon:

 For the grandparents or music lovers:

In this particular song you can hear her voice loud and clear. Right around minute 2:35 when you hear her singing "Oh yeah...are you listening? Can you hear them calling" over and over. That is pretty much all Reilly.

Next up Kameron .... who had yet another Band and Strings Concert. This one was just for the 5th and 6th graders at his school. All I am going to say is that there is a special place reserved in heaven for elementary school band and orchestra teachers!! Kameron did a good job on the ol' trumpet.

Reilly also completed year one of early morning seminary!! Awesome. She actually didn't mind going...being on time however was another matter. Her teacher is a lot of fun and one of Tyler's old mission companions. Bro. Shirley kept the class amused with stories of their antics while serving in North Carolina. One year down...3 more to go!! Reilly also sang with a youth choir at Seminary Graduation and did a beautiful job.

In between all this hullabaloo Stacey and I held a Yard Sale in her small town. I must say we sold a bunch of stuff...even some Sisters Creed leftovers...made good money...and were treated delightfully by her towns folk. Not like my previous yard sale experience. I think I could be up for doing it again in a year. 

Then some super exciting news for us!! We have more cousins moving to Spokane. Justin and Hannah and their three cute kids (and one on the way) will be moving here soon. We can hardly wait!! Last weekend they were here house hunting and we got to have some fun cousin time.

 

 Gavin and Kameron. They had a fun time playing sports together!!

 

Ailey and Haylee...both the same age. I just started calling them A and H.

  Grace and Reilly...angsty preteen and teen. :)

Brynnie was pouting because she was left out and didn't have a cousin to play with. Good thing there is a new baby on the way. Perfect. A cousin for Bryn.

And...

 I turned THE BIG 40!! 

(Here I am dealing with my angst by eating cupcakes and gelato at my friend Judy's bakeshop...Sweet Frostings) More on my momentous birthday later.

Memorial Day Weekend 2012

  Photo by Misty Alger

Leading up to Memorial Day Weekend we had several exciting events occur. Reilly made her High School Dance Team!! We are all so excited for her. It is very competitive and difficult to get on the team. Reilly tried out last year and just missed it...she was three below the cut off. This year she took another Jazz class and a Hip Hop class and it looks like it paid off. Our whole family was on pins and needles Friday night waiting for the list to be posted online!! There was a lot of screaming and jumping up and down at our house when we saw her name on the list. Then she was off to celebrate with the team. We are so excited for her and looking forward to watching her perform!!

 Kameron also had a big night this last week!! He got to perform in his first Band and Strings Concert. Kameron has been playing the trumpet this year. Where we live all the kids in the school district who are in Band or Orchestra perform in one HUGE concert at the Arena. It was quite the event!! This was our first time attending because Reilly has always been in Choir. It was amazing.

There were several thousand kids performing!! One of our local newscasters was the announcer for event. Ailey was thrilled to see someone from T.V. She and Bryn were passing the binoculars back and forth.

Kameron's age group did a great job! You can kind of see him in this picture. Look for a white shirt towards the back next to a woman walking in a floral skirt. That's Kam!!

Then we were off to the lake to spend the weekend. The weather was pretty rotten...windy and cold. But we were still able to have some fun.

Elle, River and Bryn

 

Kameron and Dane played a lot of basketball, frisbee...and there was a lot of fishing going on.

 Elle

Bryn loved riding that scooter

Kelley demonstrating her hot dog roasting technique...aka "the stringer".

We did have several perfect nights for bonfires. One night we sat around the bonfire talking until about 1:30 am!! The lake looked so pretty with all the bonfires all around it. It was so peaceful and gorgeous out there. There weren't too many boats due to the less than ideal weather. It was nice.

 We celebrated Granny's Birthday!!

 I love this singing shot...they are all singing with GUSTO!

Hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend!! Only a few more weeks of school...this week is going to be another busy one with lots of performances. Should be fun!!