Family and Fun!

July was pretty front-loaded for us. We left on the first and drove down to Rapid City, South Dakota for a family reunion in the Black Hills and at Mount Rushmore. As we loaded up the van, the kids were whining a bit about taking another long trip. "How long will we be driving?" Addy asked. "About eight hours," we told her. "No, I mean how many days?" When we told them we would get there in less than one day, they could hardly believe it.

Despite a bit of rain, and oh yeah, sleeping directly on the ground in our tent (as testified by the large purple bruises I got on both my hips), it was fantastic to be with my sisters and brother again, not to mention my parents. All our moves have made it hard, some years, to fit in all the visiting we need. I'm so glad we've started having these reunions, although without fail they're too short. There was some landmark visiting and toasting of marshmallows around the fire, but the real highlight for us was Theo's baptism. We're so proud of that guy for taking such a big step, and glad that he was able to have his grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins there for his special day--one I think he'll remember for a long time.

Seeing Mount Rushmore was a little surreal. It's a little unbelievable that such immense figures could be carved directly into a granite mountain. We enjoyed a hike around Sylvan Lake, where a part of National Treasure 2 was filmed, and had fun exploring the lake around our campground. Fourth of July fireworks were great (although we didn't make it to the Mount Rushmore display), and the kids loved our trip to a Cowboy Chuckwagon for dinner one night. We couldn't have asked for a better (or more convenient) family reunion! We're already looking forward to next year.

After we got home, we finally got to enjoy a bit of "regular summer." The kids made some goals to work on, we picked up schedules for the libraries and science centers, and the bikes and roller-blades and scooters and tricycles all came out of hiding. To be honest, I feel quite terrible that I complained about this city so much during the winter, because they sure do an awesome summer! We've visited water spray-pads, lots of beautiful parks, gone to puppet shows and science discovery activities, read books, gone to movies, and played with friends. It's been so lovely that I'm not even joking when I say that I don't want it to end. There are even daily "Play Escapes" at the local recreation center where there are organized activities for the kids while I go grocery shopping or whatever--all free!

So, for the next few weeks, we're going to live it up all we can. It hasn't gotten warm enough for us to go camping at the nearby lake here (we're learning that when Canadians talk about camping, they generally mean in a trailer or RV), but we've had so much fun doing other stuff, and trying to slowly accomplish some renovations on our house, that we've barely noticed. The kids have strengthened their friendships, we've established some better behavior and expectations in our home, and Aaron and I are just having a blast enjoying this fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime summer with our kids!

New Places, Big Faces

Nothing like family and food around a campfire!

A hike around Sylvan lake

Uncle Sam took these big guys on a bit of a rock climb

(and can I just mention how fun it is to hang with an Uncle Sam over the Fourth of July?)

It doesn't get more patriotic than Mount Rushmore on the Fourth of July

These kids sure liked it

And so did these big kids--when did all my little siblings get bigger than me?

We had a fantastic cowboy dinner and cowboy show at a Chuckwagon--

we're pretty sure these two had a good time . . .

. . . and then off for some fireworks!

But honestly, the best times were when we just chilled with the fam, back at the camp

Howie and Theo playing frisbee

Emerson and LucyMae

I decided to match each of my kids up with one of my sibs:

Sera looks quite a lot like my sweet sister Rennie when she was "my baby"--cute 'n' spunky

And these two blondies make a nicely matched set

I have the cutest picture of Howie with Emerson's same haircut at around this age

and Chelsi has been Theo's special buddy and "favorite aunt" since he was born

It's Great to be Eight!

Oh, my Theo,

What a year.

You've grown, you've changed, and did I mention you've grown?

Fastest runner in your class . . . or second or third, I forget . . .

Tousled hair, glittering green eyes,

And are those muscles on your arms?

We've struggled, sure.

What do you expect with two parents,

both as stubborn as you are?

But that laugh, that infectious laugh,

the one that draws your siblings to you like a magnet;

Makes us want to be around you, stay around,

Listen to you, hug you when you let us.

You're starting to know your power, the power that lets you lead.

You notice how others watch you,

Follow you, listen when you speak.

Use that power wisely, think before you act,

Be a friend first, last, and always.

Be pure. Choose right.

Keep the spirit close, let it guide,

And always look up, not around.