Sleepy in Seattle

After the first week or so of school, my friend Laura, a lover of all things seminary, asked me how Abigail was enjoying seminary and I couldn’t say because I hadn’t really seen Abigail all week.

This is how I found Abigail Friday night (9/9) at 11:15pm.

This is after waking up the previous morning (Thursday) at 5am so she could catch her ride to seminary at 5:45am – a full day of school, followed by her first high school volleyball game (held way up in Marysville) – which didn’t get her home until 11pm, at which time she had to finish up some homework, shower, and get to bed so she could once again wake up at 5am (Friday) for seminary, school, volleyball practice, followed by playing clarinet in the pep band at the high school football game – which didn’t get her home until nearly 11pm, at which time she had to brush up on the rules of soccer (which are the papers in front of her) so she could wake up and ref three soccer games from 8:30am-1:30pm (Saturday) after which she would need to come home, shower, do chores, and homework so she could be ready to babysit at 7pm…. the girl is busy!

But don’t tell her she needs more sleep – she’s adamant that she hasn’t been caught napping.

between reffing and babysitting 

   

catching a few zzz’s before heading back to the school for volleyball practice & pep band 

   

conked out right before hometeachers showed up 

   

This is the first year we’ve run into issues with Abigail not waking up to her alarm (either she doesn’t set it or she turns it off in a groggy, incoherent state).  There have been several mornings that Justin wakes her up with just minutes to throw on clothes before her seminary ride shows up.  Justin’s even had to drive her to school/seminary a few mornings.  I feel for her.  Not sure I could have hacked early morning seminary.   Hopefully once volleyball ends she’ll be able to catch a few more zzz’s.

Annual Labor Day Campout – Daroga {September 2-5}

Our annual Labor Day campout is always much anticipated.  It’s always a bummer when school starts before, but it doesn’t change how much fun we have – just makes it a little more crazy, especially since we’d just been camping the previous weekend.

Once again I wanted to get out of here as early as possible on Friday.  The kids get out of school early on Fridays so I wanted to be on the road by 1pm.  Once again, Abigail had conflicts with volleyball and couldn’t miss her practice that afternoon/evening.  So, once again, I packed up and headed out on my own, leaving Justin and Abigail to join up with us late that evening.

Keeping with tradition we stopped in Wenatchee for Café Rio on the way.  We kept expecting some of the other families to join us, but no one did.  When we got to camp we found out we misunderstood that the plan was to set up camp first, and then head back down to Café Rio for dinner.  Oh well.

As soon as we arrived at camp I took off Drew’s diaper and replaced it with a pair of ‘big boy’ underwear!  And with that Drew was potty training.  I was actually planning on starting the weekend before when we were at Zarahemla, but it was too dirty and cold.  Drew spent most of the weekend running around in just underpants.  I figure what better place to learn (and have potential accidents) than out in mother nature.  We had a few accidents here and there, but he did awesome!   So awesome in fact that we’ve been back now for four weeks and he’s only had one daytime accident (and it was during our first week back and Carly was babysitting).   And he’s been dry throughout the nights now for over two weeks.  Pretty awesome!

Anyhow, the weekend was a blast.  We had two new families join us this year since the Barlow’s and LeeMaster’s both moved since last year.  I hardly took any pictures because Erin is a much better photographer than I am and she had her camera out a lot.  Unfortunately, that also means I’m at her mercy for when I actually get to see said pictures.  I’m sure they’ll be worth the wait and I know she’s got some great pictures of Drew running around nearly naked and the kids having a blast with friends.

We brought back the super fun Kickball Slip-n-Slide from last year.  Not sure much if any kickball was actually played but the kids sure had fun slipping from one little pool to the next.

Funny tidbit from the picture above – Drew is wearing a 6-12 month swimsuit with a 18-24 month rashguard.  I knew they were on the small end, but didn’t realize I’d been pushing them that far past their prime.

The weather was perfect for any and all outdoor play.  The group site is right by the lake so the older kids came and went as they pleased.  A couple families brought paddleboards and they were rarely not being used.

Typically there’s quite a bit of nighttime wind at this location, but this year it was perfectly calm.  We couldn’t have campfires at this location either, but the Millers had a great propane fire pit that we congregated around each night.

Carly once again had a separate tent with three friends.  Abigail didn’t have anyone her age there, but thankfully the three seniors included her in everything they were doing.  Such great kids!

We’ve visited the same ward in Chelan the past few years and it was fun to have a few members remember us.  It’s a small ward so we always significantly increase their sacrament meeting attendance.

The drive home was a bear!  A major accident probably added an hour onto what should be an under three hour drive.  This was the scene in the back of my car when we pulled into our neighborhood.

Weekends like this are so good for my soul.  I feel so blessed to have such great friendships and especially love those friendships that include my family as well.  Always such great memories made!  I’m already looking forward to next year!

First Day of School {August 31}

There’s typically one and only one day I get up early enough to see the girls off to school and that’s on the first day of school.  Thankfully, early morning seminary had started yet so it wasn’t too early.

First off was Abigail – Freshman in high school!  Thankfully we currently have a 9th grade campus so she has a year to ease into the high school scene without being already thrust into the lions den.

Shortly afterward Carly was off – 7th grade (middle of middle school) for this one!

I had to wake both Jason and Katie up to get ready for their first day.

4th and 1st grade for these two:

And that leaves Drewbee home alone ALL DAY with just his Mama.

We’re still adjusting to Drew not having any playmates.  He still naps everyday, but last year his nap aligned with when Katie was in half-day kindergarten so he always had a playmate around when he was awake.  I’ve never been the best and playing with my kids so we’re both figuring out our new norm.

A brand new elementary school opened up this year just down the hill from our house.  While we are thrilled to have a school closer, and that our kids won’t be on the bus nearly 1.5-2 hours each day, we are so, so sad to leave Fall City Elementary.  I loved the laid back vibe at Fall City and I’m concerned that being at a neighborhood school will be too foo-fooy for my tastes.  We’ll see.

Anyhow, that meant my elementary kiddos are now walking to school each day.  I walked with them the first couple days, but honestly, that hill is a BEAST and I have no desire to do that everyday (been there done that when I was in elementary! Up hill both ways AND through blizzards and sub-zero temps).  After the second day of school Jason and Katie actually asked me not to walk with them anymore I was happy to oblige.

Here’s my little crew all ready to make the trek to school!

(Drew was sad I didn’t let him take the light saber with us)

They usually meet up with a few other kiddos from the neighborhood along the way and Jason is under strict command that he has to stay with Katie.

Funny story that happened just last week: 

Jason burst through the front door after school and quickly rushed into the bathroom.  Katie walked in exhausted, bursting into tears that Jason was walking too fast and kept getting after her to keep up.  Again, the hill is super steep so I totally understand her pain.  I felt bad for Katie, but clearly Jason REALLY needed to go and he knew he could only get home as fast as his little sister.

We were supposed to have a Meet the Teacher event the day before school started, but construction on the school isn’t quite finished so they had to cancel.  The interior is complete though so school was able to start as planned.  Since this was everyone’s first time in the school it was a crazy morning.  All the parents came in with their kiddos and adding to the craziness all of the school supplies we had to drop off as well.  Guess it gave me a chance to get a first day of school picture of the kids at their desks.

Behind Jason (on the left) is the Mom of twin boys Jason is friends with from our old ward.  Now that we attend a school in Snoqualmie my kids actually get to go to school with friends from church.  Jason’s class is packed with friends from church (mostly from our old ward) and plenty of friends from the neighborhood as well.  On the right is his teacher Ms. Coleman.  Carly had Ms. Coleman at Fall City for third grade and we were thrilled when we found out Jason would get to have her this year.

It really is a beautiful building and I’m excited to have them so much closer to home.  Added bonus is that they get home an hour earlier than in years past.  It sure is nice to have that extra hour with them before the evening rush of activities sets in every day – though it’s still taking me some adjusting to not having as long to myself in the afternoons to get stuff done.

Katie brought this home after her first few days of school.

I love that she’s happy about school.  Pleased that she feels good about math.  But perhaps she may need a little help with spelling :)

We’re off to a great start!  I’m still waking the younger kiddos up most mornings for school.  And Katie has been a bit sassier than normal as she’s adjusting to all day school, but I think we’re getting into the groove.

Last Day of Summer {August 30}

The last few weeks of summer were pretty packed. 

WORK:

Carly wrapped up her trashcan cleaning business – she ended up cleaning 59 containers over the summer.  Hopefully by next summer we’ll have a power washer to help things go quicker for her.  Abigail did quite a bit of babysitting, Carly had a few babysitting gigs as well (and has taken on a lot more since school has started and Abigail is so busy). 

SPORTS:

Soccer practices started at the beginning of August – between Carly, Jason, and Katie that means practices every day except Friday.  Abigail was/is spending hours everyday at the high school for volleyball (more on that to come).  In addition she is in the pep band this year so there were a few rehearsals before school started.

PLAY:

The kids were also spending any free time with friends.  Night games, trips down to the ridge for candy, yogurt and/or Starbucks (big girls only).  Jason and Katie were outside nearly every day playing with neighborhood kids and riding bikes.

We had one final excursion on our last day of summer!  {insert drum roll}

WINCO!  The kids were actually quite excited to run errands and they each got to pick out some candy from the bulk section at Winco.  

We also met up with Grandpa Fletcher at Café Rio for lunch.  Drew was already exhausted by the time we started eating and I ended up having to take him outside for a time out – I can’t remember what exactly he did but I think he threw some food on the floor or something.  He had to stand there until he said he was sorry – the kid is pretty stubborn so we were out there for a while.

I tell you even when he’s naughty I still find him absolutely adorable.

Thankfully everyone felt they had a great summer. No one was quite ready for school to start back up – most especially me :(

Camp Zarahemla {August 25-28}

The kids (less Abigail) and I were the first to arrive at Camp Zarahemla Thursday afternoon.  We got ourselves situated into our cute little cabin (#2) and waited for the other four families to arrive.  We have camped at Zarahemla a handful of times over the years and returned again last year.  We had so much fun that we booked the cabins again this year and invited the rest of the Auburn gang to join us.  The Summers camped with us in 2015, but have since moved to Texas.  We took a long shot and asked the Evans (now living in Utah) to join us this year and were THRILLED when they accepted!

It didn’t take long for folks to get out on the lake and enjoy the canoes.  The water was even lower this year than last.

Justin and Abigail didn’t arrive until late that night – after all the younger kids were already in bed.  Unfortunately, a burn-ban had just been enforced just a few days before we arrived so we couldn’t enjoy our usual evening campfires.  We set out a lantern in the middle of our circle and still stayed up chatting each night.

Last year we arrived on a Friday night and only had one full day – Saturday – to enjoy.  I loved that this year we all came up on Thursday so we had two full days together.  Friday was Abigail’s only full day as she had to be back home early Saturday for volleyball commitments.  Her time with all of us was short, but she had a great time reconnecting with some friends she’s known since she was just a wee-one. We referred to this group of girls as the 'big girls'.

Once again the hammocks were hours of fun - they always seemed to have someone hanging around in them.  Pretty sure we had a few boys sleeping in them at night as well.

There was a lot of playing in the hammocks as well – the kids got a really kick out of spinning themselves around in circles.  We’re very, very lucky nobody had to visit the emergency room over the weekend.  (Though there was one cut foot that was a close call.)

Justin and I took Drew out on a canoe after breakfast.

On our way back in we passed a couple canoes of girls heading out.

When we got close to shore we noticed kids hanging on the rope swing along the lake.  This would be our boy fully dressed.

The kids had lots of fun swinging on the rope – most didn’t jump in the lake, some just dipped in their toes as they swung, and there were a few that fell in on accident.

I liked how Katie was squatted at the top of the hill watching the action.    

Lots more canoe rides.  Abigail and her friends made an long excursion out to an island in the middle of the lake Friday afternoon.  They packed up a bunch of snacks and spent several hours out.

There wasn’t as much squirrel catching as in years past, but the kids did create a little frog habitat.

We teamed up for joint dinners this year.  I love not having to pack and prepare every. single. meal.  It was fun to all gather together each evening and eat yummy food.

Carly and the other ‘middle girls’ slept together in the tent on the right.  We don’t do sleepovers so that was a real treat for her.

My boys were able to sneak in a quick kayak ride after dinner before the traditional talent show.

I don’t think the talent show quite measured up to years past, but the middle girls (ages 11-12, less my non-performing daughter Carly) sure had fun putting together funny skits.

Even the boys (including mine!) put together a little skit.

Justin and Abigail were up at the crack of dawn (4am-ish) Saturday morning so Abigail could attend an all day volleyball event/practice.  Thankfully, Justin’s Dad was willing to meet him so Justin didn’t have to drive all the way the Bellevue and back.  Justin was already back at camp shortly after the rest of us woke up. 

The weather was perfect all weekend.  So much fun to be had…

Our cute little cabin #2

Justin brought back each of the kids a big Gatorade.  Drew held onto that thing most of the day.

Typically the adults play lots of games when we get together, but there wasn’t much of that going on this weekend.  There was an intense Wackee Sixes match though.

So Zarahemla is a dirty campground.  Not much grass, but lots of dirt and dust.  Camping with little ones in tough – we’ve done it every year with every possible age.  The Andros’ are the best at just letting their kids be kids.  Little Miss Jocie sure had a blast and was covered in dirt 95% of the time.  BTW, that’s a ball of some type of candy in her hand that she munched on.  It’d fall on the ground and she’d just pick it up and munch away on whatever twig or grass was stuck on it too.  Such a happy girl!

We went on a little hike Saturday evening.  It’s nice to be at a point where us adults can take off and that the kids will be fine in our absence.  Drew was actually napping – he napped for several hours each day and slept like a champ at night.  Katie and Leah were the only two kiddos that wanted to join the adults.

Some of my most favorite ladies!

The five us now live in four different areas – so glad we were able to get our families together for a few days.

The gentlemen – Jared (to the right of Jon) had to leave this afternoon to get Hunter to sports commitments.

What a fun group!

There was the coolest sunset tonight.  The clouds were amazing!

I was in charge of bringing desserts for both nights and was excited to figure out a way around the burn ban so we could still have smores.  Yum, yum!

Sunday morning arrived far too soon and it was time to head back home.  We packed up and showered so we could catch sacrament on the way home.  We pulled into a completely empty church parking lot just minutes before the meeting was supposed to start.  Must have been stake conference or something – oh well, at least we tried :)

Until next time!