Campsite Commuting

While the kids and I have been busy having fun, Paul's been going into the office everyday so we figured out a way for him to feel half way on vacation.

This beautiful campsite was reserved at Spruces up Big Cottonwood Canyon just 10 miles from Paul's office.  We set up just after work on Monday with enough sunlight for the kids to get their fill of adventure and play.  Then after wiping them all down with half a package of wipes we enjoyed cooking our dinner of hot dogs and kabobs over the fire.

Family Night was held around the camp fire as well and I don't know if it was the mesmerizing cracks of the fire or the crisp mountain air that contributed to an unusual reverence and attention from the kids but it wrapped our family in a warm closeness.    

All snuggled up like little puppies most of the kids fell right to sleep . Their sleep continued past 9:00 am completely undisturbed by the rest of us who's night was not so restful.

We were short one sleeping bag and unprepared for 39 degrees.  Baby George was wrapped in my sweatshirt but Henry refused to be contained by a shared sleeping bag.  Both of them cried for what seemed like most the night.  Paul wrapped Henry in his puffy vest and held him close enough to keep warm and finally settled.  So we did get some some rest here and there.  During the in between times it was a treat to stare up at the stars and pine trees above us.

I love sleeping outside because I always have great dreams.  This time was no different so although I didn't get much sleep I did have pleasant dreams, so much so I actually woke up laughing.

By 6:00 am there was no sense wrestling Henry back to sleep so Paul took off with him in the Kelty backpack for an early morning hike. When it was time to wake the older kids I did so through the smell of bacon over the fire.

Meanwhile Paul got a head start on his day at the office.  When we drove him back down there he brought in with him a trail of campfire smell.  There is a shower at work though so by the time we picked him back up again in the late afternoon no one would have guessed he was on a little camping excursion.

We actually reserved two nights but only attempted one.  With dental appointments at 8 am the next morning and more than a couple of hours of sleep to catch up on we retreated back to my parents by 9:00 pm.  The kids were kicking and screaming as we packed back into the van but we assured them there would be many family camping trips to enjoy in the future.

African Art Day

With the weather too hot for our favorite field trips and most of the cousins away at Lake Powell we had a free day at Oma's.  She has stacks of great craft books and a room stocked with supplies so we put them to use.

These two projects came from the book Hands on Africa written by Yvonne Merrill.  My mom went to high school with Yvonne so she purchased the whole collection of what I am very jealous of.

The boys each made Kikuyu initiation shields and the girls made Masai jewelry.  The boys are still working on their initiation dances and have also been inspired for Halloween.  The girls are twirling around calling themselves African princesses.  

Flipping through all the books I kind of wish I'd studied anthropology but I suppose it is never too late to learn and discover, it is especially great that now I can do it along side my kids.

The Other Side of Fun

For as much fun as we've been having, there's been equal and opposite experiences to match.  The above picture was taken after one of our zoo trips but the scene has become familiar, in our family this is known as "blarbing".  Not pictured are the three youngest crying screaming and James, the oldest who usually just retreats to a quiet corner with a book.

Bedtime and naps have been optional and meals only happen on the days we run out of great snacks. It also took me a few days to realize that the clocks in my mom's basement are a few hours off so I guess bedtime doesn't matter anyways.

In some ways it feels great to lose track of time and days but I'm also losing track of my nursing schedule which in turn has resulted in painful milk clogs.

Occasionally I'm questioned, "what day is it anyways"?, or informed, "Mom, I think we forgot to have lunch and dinner today"! but my favorite is "please can I go to bed now"?

My parents aren't really helping much with the routine.  As soon as my Dad hears stirring he calls down the stairwell, "who wants licorice"? Of course they all jump out of bed (or off their couch) for that!  But that is still on the fun side of fun.

What I'm talking about has to do with the girls who all the sudden forgot how to use the potty because they were "laughing too hard" or "to busy having fun".

Then there's little Henry.  This would not be an accurate record if I failed to mention his recent struggles.  The poor little guy has been experiencing recurrent allergic reactions to the most basic foods (even rice!).  I'm now armed with two epi pens and have already taken him in to two different urgent care facilities.  I mostly blame the stress of that for our mealtime disruption - it's hard enough to feed a small crowd on vacation but even more challenging when you can't take any shortcuts.

Speaking of shortcuts I just realized that William has been wearing that Gators T-shirt for days but I guess that saves me a bit on laundry.

I certainly feel torn between the familiarity and fun with family and the cravings for normal routine and balance.  But I suppose the disruption of summer vacation actually does bring balance to our life, this season with its lack of daily routine is a part of our yearly routine.

I suppose also it is laziness that brings balance to our summer fun.  And that is why I just bought a box of books at D.I. and another pile at a yard sale today..... to encourage the kind of summer laziness pictured below.

  

The Heber Creeper

My grandpa use to take us on the Heber Creeper just to get a good view of his Charleston farm.

Here I am standing on the edge of that same farm with my own children thinking of him.

Old Favorite Field Trips

We've been busy visiting old favorite places.  First the Hogle Zoo where the kids know most of the animals by name and told me it felt like a reunion with old friends.  We've been back a few times but the day pictured below was unbearably hot!

Heritage Park , where they enjoyed riding ponies, dipping candles and the new gold panning river.

And finally Cabelas with Opa, where we "just looked around", ate some candy and of course went through a bag of coins at the shooting gallery.  

Montpelier, Idaho

While up at Bear Lake it's sometimes just as much fun to go "into town" as it is to the beach.  Montpelier, with its three stop lights is the biggest town within 20 minutes so that is where we go.

Here's my Dad at a road side  junk sale.  He's great at "dressing the part",  just like he use to wear Willis & Geiger in Africa and lederhosen in Germany, he nailed the local look here in his farm wear.

Of course I had to check out all the junk.  We picked up two 1920's metal baseball figures for $2 then hung them in the kids sleeping quarters back at the farm house.  For $5 I couldn't resist this little bookshelf - it reminded me of the one I had built for the girls old room.  I just don't know how it'll fit in on the trek back to MI....... I'm hoping luck will find me a nice car top carrier or bike rack at a garage sale or DI before the time comes.

Here's the theater that my parents decided to take 14 young kids to see a 9:00 pm showing of Karate Kid III on the night of their 50th wedding anniversary. 

Here's what I found at the town thrift store - actually it is the thrift store/hospital.  Nothing beats stitched leather shoes for toddlers and vintage parenting books.  My Dad and sisters picked up a few interesting things including an old Book of Mormon bound with photographs of ancient Latin American ruins, a Hummel painting and glitter toddler helmet for riding the four wheelers.

Finally for all the food storage gurus, the jewel of the town....... Walton Feed!  Now I was really wishing there was more space in the van but remained sensible in only picking up a few #10 cans of grain a variety of #2.5 cans to sample.  It was great to be there just to see it all in person but especially to experience the chit chat and slower pace of a small town.

Bear Lake Tradition

Summer is not complete without at least one trip up there .  Playing in the sand and water with cousins has become a tradition, just as much as pushing all the twin beds together to make a mega jumping pad .

My parents were up there this time as were 11 other cousins, I think the kid total was 18 with the adults totaling 5.  Every sleeping space was occupied and just like old times my mom was constant in keeping everyone fed. 

One tradition we wish we could have skipped was the stomach bug.  I don't know if it is the lake water, too much junk food or just too many people crammed together in such a small space but it happens every year.  James even prayed before our trip that this would be avoided.  I encouraged him not to give energy to this little fear but the poor kid spent half the trip in bed then tossed up his raspberry shake on the car ride home.

We tried to fly the pocket kite but there was not enough wind.  Instead my sister Emily convinced me that the mineral rich water would be a nice treatment for my hair.  It was freezing..... but my hair did feel softer so we'll add hair soaking to the list of Bear Lake traditions. 

Family Reunion 2010

This is my immediate family - brothers and sisters with their families, total we add up to 100+ people.  With so many people we were able to pull our talents and resources together to make this a great event, it was more than memorable!

The festivities started last Thursday night at Cheryl's where she hosted a cookout and swim party.  Friday night the adults participated in a temple session and then small reception at the Lion House where my parents had their reception 50 years ago.

Saturday was non-stop.  First a carnival at the park..... everyone in their reunion t-shirts, the colorful blend participated in games, crafts, soccer, ice blocking, and more.

My contribution was designing and ordering the T-shirts.  The challenge was coming up with a design universal for all ages and sizes.  With the help of wordle I created a word collage that included everyone's name and to keep things interesting I got them printed on a variety of colored T's at shirts illustrated in UT .  As much as I enjoy clothing design this project was big enough to convince me that I'm not yet at a stage where I could start my own business.

Saturday's celebration continued into the evening at the Joseph Smith Building in downtown Salt Lake City.  Once the professional photos were through (it is not that easy to capture such a crowd) we enjoyed a nice dinner then crazy dancing (with a baby sleeping on my back).  The other favorite activity was dressing up silly for the rented photo booth.  There is nothing like having a party with the people you love most.

The night resulted in a large group of over tired kids.

 

The reunion came to a close after a large Sunday dinner and family night hosted in my parents backyard. 

When it was all over the kids asked....when are we going to do that again?  It is great to be a part of something great!

Celebrating 50 Years!

Our family of 100+ people have been gathered together all weekend celebrating my parents 50th wedding anniversary.  Here is the tribute I presented to them at the reception last night.  But since it is impossible to talk over such a crowd comprised of mostly young children I thought I'd post it here for my parents and those who love them to enjoy.

Mom and Dad -

We have all come together to honor you at this special time.  As you sit here you may wonder at how so many years could have passed so quickly.  Or perhaps you just gaze out at this large gathering, in awe of what you have created, day by day, together over the last 50 years. 

Our hearts full of gratitude for the covenant you made to each other in the Logan temple, for being part of this large, eternal family.  This is the greatest gift that you could have given to your children and to all of your posterity.

This covenant is based on love for one another and love for our Heavenly Father.  All of your actions over the years spoke of this love.

As children most of our days were started with the smell of fresh cologne mixed with cooked eggs and slightly burnt toast, the noise of Mom then scrapping the burned toast and Dad calling to her for morning prayer.  You always prayed close to the stove - maybe so the eggs wouldn’t burn also - but it was always on the carpeted area between the kitchen and dining room.  That patch of carpet wore smooth and grey over the years - both from running children but mostly because of your morning prayer routines.

We would sometimes eaves-drop on the prayers and hearing you plead for the needs of our family collectively and as children individually gave us a comfort and confidence to begin our days, knowing we were being watched over by loving parents. 

After each prayer you always exchanged kisses and “I love you’s” - so often that even Elvis our parrot said "I love you" every time he heard "amen."

This marriage had a storybook beginning, a brilliant nerd wooing the beautiful, and sought after socialite.  The story of your courtship was a favorite to be told often around the dinner table.

No amount of children, laundry or work ever got in the way of the romance that began in your courtship.  With the exception of one hay bailing anniversary at the farm, no July 7 was complete without roses as a commemoration of the beginning of our family.  Though the roses may have been placed on a counter covered in paperwork or dirty dishes to be cleared – they were there as a reminder to us children of the love and honor Dad felt for Mom. 

At 5:30 every weekday Mom would fluff her hair and reapply her bright red lipstick.  Why? Because, she'd say, “I want to look pretty for my boyfriend when he gets home”.

Friday evenings smelled of Chanel perfume, the perfume Dad picked up for Mom in Paris.  These date nights were set apart as an escape from the ongoing rigors of raising our family, and the Chanel meant that these dates were still special.  Especially beloved was the annual Providence Hospital ball when Dad would dress in a tux and Mom in a floor length skirt. 

Dad protected Mom and would not hear of even the youngest of children speak in ill tones to her.

Mom honored Dad and never criticized him – even when he shipped home yet another African animal trophy.

All that is good in us today is a result of your vision and what you strived to teach your children.  Your example of hard work, service and love now extends into the lives of your grandchildren - and soon great-grandchildren - as we all try to emulate your great legacy of faith and love.

A probing reporter once asked Dad: “what are your thoughts about planned parenthood?”  Dad looked him in the eyes with a deep, straight face and boldly declared… "this is the plan". 

What a great team you both made in executing this plan. Today we celebrate the fruits of your labor and the 50 beautiful years full of love and laughter.

Camping Along the Way

Our road trip started 36 hours past our original ETD.  That's okay because we gave ourselves a week to make it out to Salt Lake City for the big family reunion.  The first stop was suppose to be overnight camping in Indiana with the second night along the plains in Kansas.  Instead we hauled it straight to Denver where we had our first "real" sleep in a tent in the woods after 27 hours in the van.

The older boys took the train from MI to CO with Nanny and Poppy.  We picked them up at Paul's Uncle's house and they admitted that it was hard to climb back into a such a crowded stinky van after enjoying a week of one on one time with Nanny and Poppy.

The next planned stop was Moab UT.  We found a perfect campsite along the Colorado river where the kids let their wiggles out, covering themselves in dirt and sand.  

We had a campfire but the boys wanted to make sure they read all of the Wall Street Journals before they were used to help start the fire.

The most memorable part was having Nanny and Poppy caravan along side the adventure in southern Utah.  There is nothing like nature that brings a family closer.