East or West, Home Is Best

I’ve been waiting a long time to write that phrase – “summer fun.” I was sure all my bragging about the Connecticut sunny skies to my Seattle friends had jinxed us forever, when finally we’ve been seeing some shreds of summer weather. School’s been out for nearly two weeks and we’ve been having a blast.

Our first summer Tuesday we kicked off Camp Liberty. This co-op daycamp is the brainchild of three friends and mine and serves our collective nine children who get together two mornings a week for fun and learning. Each camp day starts with opening ceremonies, including the Pledge of Allegiance and singing time. At the first session, hosted by Jessica, the kids learned all about the Liberty Bell. The second session, at Tricia’s house, centered on freedom and the American flag. This morning’s session wove first-aid essentials into a teddy bear theme. I can’t wait for my turn to host on Thursday!

Amongst the structured activities we’re getting around to some fun local destinations. One afternoon last week found us at Ocean Beach Park with Nancy, Gabriel, and Madeline. That night the rain held off just enough for Nancy and Ben’s

Rivergods gig at Michael’s Dairy which had been rained out the week before. We’d been looking forward to this year’s event, and while the sprinkles kept some fans away, we had a great time.





Last Thursday afternoon we visited a local strawberry farm with MaryLynn and JJ, where in just over an hour the five of us picked twenty pounds of berries. All the way up and back we belted camp songs to the strains of Jessica’s most excellent Camp Liberty CD. Since then we’ve been happily ingesting strawberry-rhubarb jam, strawberry shortcake, strawberry milkshakes, and strawberry ice cream. Yum!

Last Friday night we braved forecasted thunderstorms and headed back to George Washington campground with Tricia, MaryLynn, and JJ. Chad proved the usual firemaster, ultimately conquering pine that was determined never to burn, while Tricia and I set up camp. The kids were entranced by the tiny creek dividing our two campsites, and after a scrumptious fire-cooked dinner convinced us to head down to the beach with them. In a rare scene, the clouds hovered high enough to sprinkle a fine rain through the warm light of a lingering sunset. Tricia and I chatted on the big rock, basking in the beautiful view and watching the kids play in the sand.

The next morning we ventured off on a two-mile hike, after which we headed out onto the lake. It was our first voyage with Tricia and Brad’s new boat – what fun to all be on the water at the same time. We wrapped up this camping trip jumping in the lake. Gavin showed off his swimming moves, Arwen was more comfortable in the water than ever before, and even I joined in the fun!

Stay tuned for lots more summer fun . . .

Father’s Day was especially fun with both Grandpa and Chad to celebrate with. We started with a special breakfast – and had time to enjoy it together, thanks to Chad’s abbreviated before-church meetings in honor of the holiday.



We’ve been working on church behavior with Gavin and Arwen for some time. A few weeks ago we hit upon an effective incentive – a pancake party for lunch to reward reverence and respect during our worship service. Chocolate chips somehow got thrown in for extra-good behavior, and this week I offered whipped cream to motivate Gavin to join in the singing. Both he and Arwen were in rare form this week sitting next to Grandma and Grandpa. I’ll always count as one of the proud moments of my life looking over during the sacrament hymn and hearing Gavin singing “Oh, it is wonderful . . . “ The feeling as I caught his eye was far more of a treat for me than the pancakes (though the multi-grain / chocolate / whipped cream combination was heavenly).

It just about takes a holiday for Chad to get a nap these days, and he did this Father’s Day. Meanwhile, Gavin and Arwen had their usual after-church Lego session while Merry and I whipped up a feast fit for two kings – barbecue pork with garlic mashed potatoes, broccoli, mile-high biscuits, and fruit salad. (We were all so stuffed, the pumpkin pie had to wait for breakfast the next morning.) And the gifts – the most memorable of which was Gavin’s poster complete with his visual and descriptive renditions of Chad (click the picture below for a good look).

As we settled down for some relaxation in the living room, the kids delivered their own a special Father’s Day treat. To the strains Chad’s favorite, Canon in D, they started dancing. Not just the usual random movements – something seemingly inspired by ballroom dance classes I took years ago at BYU. When Chad asked if they’d been practicing, Gavin came back with “No, it’s just natural.”

It looked so fun, Chad and I had to join in. Then the dancing somehow morphed into horsey rides with Grandpa, then to a full-blown wrestling match. What a great Father’s Day!

Wednesday afternoon the sun peeked out from behind a cloud long enough to motivate us to load the kayak and throw the life jackets into the car. We took off for Green Falls Pond, about 45 minutes away, where we took turns maneuvering past islands and around peninsulas in this wonderful pond.

Gavin and Arwen were dying to take a dip at the swimming area and managed five or ten minutes before succumbing to the shivers. On the way home we stopped at Ortega’s for some first-rate Mexican food, compliments of Chad’s grandparents. (Little do they know, we will get them out here to visit us in person!)

During their stay, Grandma and Grandpa each tried to get some one-on-one time with Gavin and Arwen. Wednesday morning Grandma and Arwen walked to the library where they read story after story and put puzzles together before a long stop at the park. Gavin managed to pull



Grandpa away from the tile project long enough for a round at Monster Golf. He also drew Grandma into the excitement at Chuck E Cheese, where he ran up and down the slide and played air hockey with a new-found friend.

One of our favorite and most-anticipated outings was a visit to Cows & Cones. (Can you believe Merry and I both left our cameras home??) While some selections were predictable (Arwen – strawberry, Gavin – cotton candy), I decided to try something new – fat free, sugar free vanilla. Hey, at least I got in on the action. In the precipitation-free afternoon we made the rounds to the pigs, cows, sheep, and chickens. So fun to be there with Grandma and Grandpa!

A week ago Monday night Chad’s parents flew in from Salt Lake City for a week’s visit. We had all kinds of fun at home, working on projects, going on outings, and celebrating Father’s Day. Here’s a look at some of the things we did at and around home:

Tuesday Grandma, Grandpa, Arwen, and I descended on Gavin’s classroom for lunch where we chomped on peanut butter sandwiches and sifted through Gavin’s projects as he sat mesmerized by a last-week-of-school video. Then it was time for recess, where Gavin amazed us with how high he could swing all on his own. Arwen had a great time on the playground with the kids as usual. It’s been amazing to see how much Gavin’s reading and writing have advanced this year.

Last Thursday was Gavin’s and Arwen’s last day of school. After Arwen’s farewell ice cream party, Merry and I dropped by the preschool with some cookies for Arwen’s teachers who she’s enjoyed so much this year. A few hours later we met Gavin at the bus for the last time for 10 weeks. Hooray!

One afternoon Grandma and Arwen drew a massive panorama on our driveway depicting the path from our house, to cousin Anna’s place, to Grandma and Grandpa’s homestead, to Grammy and Grandpa’s house. Arwen made sure her pigtails were true to life, and Grandma added all kinds of detail to make it fun (and realistic).

Friday night a dismal forecast (will this ever end??) and several delays with the tile project (see project post) moved our planned campout to our back yard. And what a great time we had! We tried out our reclaimed fire pit for the first time, roasting sausages, hot dogs, and s’mores. It was great just sitting around the fire enjoying a wonderful spread and even better company. The kids begged for “just one more” push on the swing. Then everyone joined in a game of tag.

After the dinner festivities Gavin talked us into camping out. One thing I loved about our area when I visited for the first time was the stars, and they did not disappoint that night. How fun to gaze up at them through the tent window. Arwen and Gavin managed to score places in the tent with Grandpa. What fun!

On Ken and Merry’s last night here, we joined the families of the guys Chad works with at church for a Family Home Evening barbecue. There were pineapple-studded shish kebobs, spice-rubbed pork tenderloin, fresh grilled corn, potato salad, and more. So delicious. But the main attraction, at least for the younger set (that would include me) was the rope swing. Tim had spent the past two weeks figuring out how to get the rope 60 feet into the air – success came half an hour before we showed up! While the kids went back for another round on the swing, the adults huddled around Kim and Tim’s new firepit for some good conversation and another round on the food. What a great night.

All last week we were looking forward with great anticipation to our first multi-family camping trip of the summer. As Friday drew closer, the forecast called for heavy rain all day, with sunny skies likely on Saturday. Two of our three families ventured out undaunted Friday afternoon, driving the hour to the campground with rain pelting our windshields.