The end of summer and back to the books

 

Anddddddd.....we're back! 

Upon arriving back from our epic adventure in the RV, we hit the stagnate waters of the latter half of August. 

We did try our hand at gold panning in the Tualatin River....

Those final days of summer felt like we were swimming through mud; in my mind (and the kids) we were done. 

We've done summer. 

Soccer practices start, 

other districts start to return to class, 

and we wait. 

Our school doesn't return until after Labor Day, so we always have a bit more time to fill. 

However, one thing we look forward to over Labor Day weekend is Family Camp at Washington Family Ranch. This is a tradition in our family that was started five years ago when we were invited by some friends. 

Not thinking we were going to know that many people, we actually ended up recognizing and reconnecting with many people; many of the families are from our school, West Hills, and the Portland area church community. There were even a few teachers jumping off the diving rocks, which blew the kids' mind. 

The ranch is a Young Life camp, a former Rajneesh cult community, and the strangest little oasis of beauty and joy in the middle of no where in central Oregon. 

It's about a 3.5 hour drive, but the last 15 miles of the drive are down a dirt/rock road into a mysterious abyss. 

The rocks coming off the hills are actually faces that stare at us with fierce eyes. 

The kids were thrilled to be able to return and reconnect with families in a fun, carefree way after a two years hiatus. 

Some of our very dear friends have been made through this weekend together, and we were eager to continue the tradition. 

And it didn't disappoint. 

People hugged and embraced, and the water slides were still just as fantastic as I remembered them three years ago. The kids love it because they essentially get a weekend of "distant parenting" as they get free rein  of the camp and their friends. The only thing I ask is that they put on sunblock and eat some sort of plant that grows from the earth at least once during the weekend. 

James walked around the entire weekend with his swim top and swim trunks backwards and inside out. Every time I saw him the thought went through my head that I should tell him; but having to strip off a soggy suit and turn it around just seemed like too much work, so off he went. 

One time we found Levi in the pool fully clothed. He said that he couldn't find his suit and his friends were going down the water slide, so he just decided to jump in. 

Perhaps one of my favorite memories of "camp parenting" is watching James walk back to the cabin at midnight sipping on a blue raspberry slushie as he turned in for the night. 

I was sipping on some wine in my water bottle, so no judgment here. 

This weekend really couldn't have come at a more perfect time. I was worn out from the summer.  I really just needed them to be off and happy for a few hours. John and I sat in rocking chairs together over looking the mountains, and it felt wonderful. We needed the break to be quiet and still, something we haven't had for months.  

Part of the weekend is centered around various couples sharing with the group about their lives and how God has directed or provided for them. John and I were asked to be a part of that sharing, so we had moments to collect our thoughts and figure out exactly what we should share. 

We left on Sunday, which is good because we needed that buffer day before we launched into school. It was a good thing too because James apparently threw up several times in the night and was out for the count the following day. 

Personally, I think it was the slushie (and who knows what else) at midnight. 

He probably didn't eat enough things from the ground. 

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We are on day TWO of school, and I am blissful. The first morning after drop off I attended a "moms celebration party" and then got my hair done, which was long over do. 

I've done a huge Goodwill run, and I am just basking in my clean, quiet, peaceful home. 

Earlier today I did my training run. John and I have completed two half marathons this summer. We have one more in the books in October, and so, I begin my 6 week training cycle one more time. 

Today was ten, 90 second hill runs. I can't explain it, but this time around on the training cycle I just feel more mentally tough, like I can do it and it's not completely overwhelming to me. 

John and I also did the Hood to Coast run at the end of August and that was quite the experience. 

29 hours of running is painful, and horrible...but something about it seemed to toughen any frail spots within me. 

Walking to the starting line

On your marks, get set....

 

I started the race out and ran 5.8 miles down Mt. Hood; then I ran 5.6 miles in downtown Portland at midnight.  I "slept" in a sleeping bag in the middle of a field with grasshoppers. After I did my final leg, I said "never again."  I have never been so sore. 

We didn't know any of our team in the van. We were invited to participate by a friend, but they were in our second van. 

It's amazing how quickly you get to know people when you share a sweaty van with them for 29 hours.  

But I did it, and looking back, the whole experience starts to glow brighter than it did during my final leg. There is something about doing "hard things" that makes us into more durable people. I feel it. 

  

Will I do it again? 

That is to be determined, but I'm glad John talked me into it. It was definitely the experience that any Pacific Northwest runner should partake in at least once. 

But, back to the start of school and all the things that brings with it. 

Routine. 

Healthier eating. 

Normal sleeping and waking schedules. 

Evelyn is in 5th grade and her main goal is to have the prettiest locker. 

She was very excited to have a locker this year. 

The boys have a male teacher this year. I look forward to the different dynamic this may bring to my three boys.   

Levi, ready as he will ever be.

Caleb, ready to rock third grade....

And poor James, I cut off his head in the picture...

 but trust me, he is happy too. 

 

The kids are happy. 

I'm happy. 

And we can bask in the glow of a summer well done.        

Life in an RV with 6

 This summer was one of the fastest but best summers on record. 

Our doorbell is constantly ringing; there are grimy foot prints running from the front door to the back; and a cluster of bikes are usually gathered at the bottom of the driveway. 

This summer marked the beginning of a new era: freedom in the neighborhood. 

The kids have branched out, but our house is frequently the gathering spot. This means that most of my summer days have been spent simply monitoring all the "coming" and "going" while putting a trays of food in the center of the kitchen table. 

Their ages, 8 and 10, are such a delight. They are not yet too cool for their family, but they are really independent and enjoying their friends.

We did pull them away from all the neighborhood fun to partake in our annual trip to Illinois. 

James living his best life on the airplane.

Going to the Chicago field museum was definitely a highlight!

The kids were appalled by the taxidermies that were over 100 years old. 

We had to remind them that 100 years ago kids didn't have the internet. 

Stuffed animals at a museum were the only way some kids would see a cheetah or a bear. 

(They were a little creepy...all in the name of science, I guess....)

They really loved the "dinosaurs of the deep"exhibit because they had a dinosaur unit in school.
The megladon is among their favorite. 

And "Sue" the T-rex really was a sight to see. 




Besides the museum, there was the usual ice cream spots. 

Ice cream is always a midwest summer tradition! 

  

....As well as climbing on the army tanks at Cantigny park. 

We meandered through the beautiful gardens, and stopped to take a picture with Grandma and Grandpa. (this one is for the Christmas card!) 



  

We also happened to be in town for my cousin's wedding shower.
Evelyn was in charge of making the ribbon bouquet.
18 years ago that same cousin made my ribbon bouquet at my shower! :)  





We also made our annual trip up to Wisconsin for a few days.
Lake Geneva is such a lovely, peaceful place I look forward to going every year. 


We swam in the hotel pool and enjoyed quality time as a family. 

Sometimes Levi preferred to stay back and watch baseball with Grandpa. 

Those two really bond over the game. 

We also stopped by the Kenosha County Fair on the way home, and it was fantastic! 

The animals were adorable. 

Everybunny gets a Bunny!

...and a chick...

We watched this fantastic magician/stunt man.
 Evelyn was chosen to be the volunteer used in one of the tricks. 

She's floating!

I fell in love with some of the chickens. 

Lovely little ladies

And then, of course, ice cream....(With Aunt Robin)

Our time in midwest was wonderful, but we had more adventures ahead as we boarded an RV to experience Evelyn's dream of life on the road. 

We had five days to drive from Illinois to Florida.
This was Evelyn's "10 year old wish." John made it happen by finding an opportunity to deliver an RV from one hub to another. 

The whole situation stressed me out. 


But ready or not, we loaded up the RV and began our adventure south. 

I'm not a camper.
I hate living in dirt and chaos.
And six people in a class C RV really stretched me.
 

John and I mapped out the trip perfectly, driving in three hour chunks and stopping at various sights along the way. 
We left Thursday afternoon, saying good bye to my parents and grandma at the end of the driveway. 

Good bye Illinois! We love you!

We drove through the cornfields of Indiana until we arrived at the lovely home of one of John's co-workers. They made us a wonderful dinner, and the boys got to run around in their backyard before we drove another three hours to our campsite in Cave City, Kentucky. 

John was a rockstar.
He gassed it, drove it and hooked up pipes and emptied tanks like a pro. 

I think the kids enjoyed their life as RV children. 

After a nights rest in the RV, we spent our first morning touring Mammoth Caves, the largest known cave system in the world with more than 420 miles of surveyed passageways. 

A strange little door led us below the earth to a dark, cold maze of rock. 

The kids were a bit apprehensive at first, but they soon thought that the caves were incredibly cool.

After our morning adventures below the earth, we boarded the RV and drove through Tennessee, stopping in Chattanooga for dinner. However, the place we chose to stop was on top of a hill, and as the sunlight dimmed to end the day, John went in circles trying to find a safe route off the mountain that would accommodate the turning radius of the RV!

Alas, we made our way down, and off we were to Georgia! 

The heat of the South this time of year is truly not for the weak; I admit that after living in the Pacific Northwest for almost two decades, I am a wimp when it comes to humidity. 

Opening the door of the RV felt like someone slapped me in the face.

The heat and humidity truly felt unbearable, but we trudged on to the "Wild Adventure" park where we planned to spend the day. 

The amusement/zoo/water park was a great way to endure the weather. 

One of my favorite moments was feeding the birds in the aviary.

After our fun filled day at the Georgia theme park, we carried on to Florida.

 Crossing the state border, we cheered-we made it!

Our first morning in Florida was miserable. We woke up with our clothing stuck to our bodies with sweat. 

Opening the door, we were blasted by a  tormenting thick heat. 

The only thing we could do is stay nestled inside the RV and utalize the little AC unit. 

The kids loved the lizards!

We decided to drive to a state park that boasted of natural springs to cool off. However, upon driving there, it was over crowded and closed off to anymore people. 

So we drove to another one. 

Same thing. 

We simply didn't know what to do. 

By this time, I was Done with the RV experience and Done with Florida. 

John, the ever wise and rational one, decided we needed a plan. 

We ended  finding an over priced little aquarium we ventured through while enjoying their AC.

And then we planned for the next day, a water park. 

Actually, it was the Sea World waterpark, Aquatica. It was a fantastic place. 

We spent the entire day there and then headed straight to the airport to catch our 8:30 pm flight back home to Portland. 

John would spend one extra night alone in the RV. The airfare flying from Orlando to Portland was a lot more reasonable than Ft. Lauderdale, the location where the RV needed to be dropped off. 

And so, he sent the five of us home, while he cleaned out the RV and spent a lonely night in the trailer park. 

Overall, the trip was an experience I will not forget. 

The kids enjoyed the unique sleeping experiences. 

They enjoyed figuring out what was falling off the shelves as we made turns and twists on the road.

It was thrilling to try to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich standing while going 70 mph. 

I know the RV life is not for me; but I did treasure the sweet little moments with our family together. 

It's always nice to be home after time away, and the kids really missed Lucy. 

We can check the RV trip off our list. 

On to the next thing. :)