Alone Time

Tho all this snow (that is still falling) makes for hushed and beautiful streets around our neighborhood, I had to get out in it to enjoy them this afternoon, just glancing out the window was not cutting it; going a little stir crazy (and that's a lot coming from a stay-at-home-homeschooling-mom). I had enough of the repeated begging to watch movies, and tattling. Molly and I hit the street headed for the nearest Starbucks. I returned to a sleeping 2-year-old and a serene 7-year-old.

*Thanks Babe, I needed that break.

Snowed In & Out

Molly enjoyed her off leash snowy walk/romp on our quiet deserted street this morning.

Lake Chelan 2011

You know the drill. I've taken this camping vacation every year of my life, save 2 or 3 summers. My mom before me and her mom before her; it's tradition. Some of you have joined my family over the mountains, some I hope to come in the future. We were thrilled to have Molly with us this year, and my sister and Laila joined us for a few nights too! The weather was hot and the water cool. Here are the pictures in no particular order (but cannot believe I don't have even one shot of Gram, the one with E jumping rope does not count, so sorry Mom!).

Daddy time

Kids making the pancakes

N loved sweeping

D did all the cooking!

beach boys

water time

float in a boat

float in Papa's boat

reading at the shore

cousins and Papa in the background

dinner at the drive-in

Karlee and Laila

swings

peeking out of the tent in the morning

E learned how to jump rope

bath in a box

baseball

relax

Slidewater's

sea-saw

water boy

fast slide with E

impromptu hairbrush concert

the DJ

balloons with Papa

Fresh local Bing cherries

E and D Go-Karts

N's first Go-Kart

Ocean Shores 2011

I've visited Ocean Shores a few memorable times in my life, but not quite like this:

Eileen and I reserved a site for 2 nights at Ocean City State Park, it came highly recommended by my trusty camping in Washington book. We expertly packed our van with all the necessities and drove to the coast with our 4 children, and 2 canines...it was a tight fit but I'm happy we could all squeeze in together. You'll remember, our first overnight camping trip went so well 3 years ago, we decided to add another kid and pups to the mix to make it more interesting/challenging...

We set up camp, ate a few snacks (fished N out of the fire pit - no it wasn't lit) then set out to find the sand and waves!

 

After a nice long walk, we were ready for supper, a climb in our tree and of course a fire with s'mores!

When we woke the next morning, it was a quick bite to eat while we dodged mosquito's then loaded up the van again for a drive onto the beach where we parked next to a tiny stream and set up our spot for the day.

Complete with lots of playing in the water, food, sandcastle building, food, kite flying, food, naps, hot coffee and loads of smiles.

The next morning was spent trying to keep the kids occupied while we packed everything up; not an easy task. But we were all rewarded with another quick lunch/playtime and popcorn roast on the sand before the long drive home (but not before fishing N out of the fire pit, again - WTF?).

Thanks so much dear Eileen, here's to many more trips with the kids and dogs!