Opening Weekend of Camping Season

End of May and the first camping trip of the season. We went to La Pine and as we were packing up the Suburban to head home after 3 days, Carter says, "I really like camping. This is the Pine I want to go camping at next time too." To which Jack says, "I yike pinecone!"

We really, really had a great time. It was so much fun watching the kids build forts on the property. (In the picture is Natalie, Micah, Shayna and Carter... but also note that Grace and Jack are hidden a bit in the fort-- bottom left corner of pic. It was a really great fort!)

We loved watching them explore with their walky-talkies in hand, make Smores, shoot their bows, and get so dirty that their formerly white socks were literally completely brown. When we got home and I started a load of laundry I contemplated just tossing all the socks in the garbage. Don't worry, I didn't... but that did teach me that I would probably not do well with a baby in cloth diapers--- and no, we are not expecting a baby. Sorry, Mom.

Jeff and I took the boys in the boat for a float down the Deschutes river (I should get a medal!). Jeff was stoked that I had a good time on the water and it was actually relaxing. I can't even describe how beautiful it is on that river (so I'll post a picture).
We had a good time relaxing and hanging out with family and just spending a couple of days away from "regular life."

But now "regular life" is back on. School is wrapping up and we are all looking forward to summer (apparently the weather didn't get the memo that the kids are out of school pretty soon though because the rain is POURING DOWN outside right now). I get to go on a field trip with Carter tomorrow morning (that is outside-- seriously, someone give the weather the memo already!) and we're both really looking forward to it. It's at the "Raptor Center." I think it would be fair to say that Carter's a little more excited than I am, but I love seeing him get excited about... everything!

I'm trying to get back into my routine of running after 4 days off and seeing some unflattering pictures of myself, but man! it's not easy after taking a "break" to jump right back in, especially when I've got so many excuses, like laundry... and... and... okay. Maybe I should just do it, like laundry has ever really kept me from doing something... Who am I trying to kid? So, when my Dad gets here tomorrow morning to spend some time with Jack while I go to the Raptor Center with Carter's class the house will be a mess and the laundry won't be done but I will be 5 miles closer to my goal of... well, I'll be 5 miles closer to "goal."

After the long camping weekend and needing a day of recovery (yesterday: Tuesday) today is the refreshed Monday (and it's just a super-short week). Here's to the first (WET) week of June!