My back has been "speaking" to me since just before we left California. It has been stubborn about feeling better, even with rest, and was beginning to get pretty swollen, so Ron got me in to a chiro today. Man, what a difference! I will see her again on Friday to get another tune-up before going to Gabriola Island next week.
The illusion was broken a few times though. Once when, much to his daughter's horror, Ron modeled his "man-kini" for us.
We spent nearly the entire day at Goose spit, roasting hot dogs, making smores, snacking on salami and crackers, fresh fruit, chatting, wading in the water and watching the kids and dogs all romp. This is a leash optional beach for the dogs and there are also a few fire pits to use. The weather was just perfect and it was surprisingly uncrowded. . .well except for the crowd we brought with us. The day was topped off with a fireside discussion with the sister missionaries about Pioneer Day. July 24th commemorates the first wagon trains entering the Great Salt Lake Valley in Utah.
Yesterday I thought we were going to have Ron's family up for a visit,but they had some things come up and couldn't make it. Instead 4 teen girls stayed here for the night. They are really good kids and I am so glad they all get along so well. We also had one set of parents join us for mexican food dinner on the deck with the kids. Everyone seemed to have a good time, but somehow the cookies that were made yesterday afternoon didn't make it beyond morning (I guess that is one way to get your oatmeal). . . I wonder how the cookies disappeared like that . . .evaporation maybe?
Today, after doing a few chores, the kids spent the afternoon with their friends at the "free pool day" down the street. I pulled a few weeds and did a little housekeeping stuff, but I really have been taking it pretty easy lately. Tonight Ron and I went out with friends to see Salt. I really enjoyed it. Tomorrow looks like a beach day for the family.Well, except Adam who gets to go to work instead.
The weather has been pretty great, sunny and mid-70's during the day with mid-50's at night. It is pretty hard to take, but I think I'm up to the challenge.
Here is the last month or so in a nutshell~
We meet the newest addition to the family, Haley. In this photo, she seems pretty happy to be in cousin Adam's lap.
Next, the older kids attend EFY in Santa Barbara, they probably look so happy because they just had In 'n' Out Burger for breakfast. . .
There were a few days spent gold prospecting on the beach with Grampa Bill.
After Farmer's market in San Luis Obispo, I showed the kids "Bubblegum Alley". When I was a kid it was only on one side of the alley. Our kids didn't make any contributions this time (I think they couldn't quite get over the "eww!" factor.) Maybe next time. . .
This is the cake I did for the farewell bar-b-que at Mom's place. The sides are dark and white chocolate planks. The bottom was devil's food cake with strawberry jam filling, the top was vanilla with apricot/pineapple jam filling. The whole thing was covered with butter-cream icing and fresh strawberries.
After the blazin' heat the last day at Gramma Gale's place, it was almost surreal to drive across the fog enshrouded Golden Gate as we made our way North. We stayed on the 101 (with a quick overnight at cousin Liz's in Rio Dell) until Reedsport in Oregon. The second day of our trek, Ron drove from ~9:30 am 'till 3 am. We made it home at about 5:30 pm the 3rd day (Monday).
Tuesday was spent getting unpacked, doing laundry, shopping for supplies and packing for Girl's Camp. I was asked to drive and be a "tent mom" at camp. . .It was AMAZING! There were about 50 women and girls, one small boy and two older men (who made themselves extremely scarce until they were called into action for something). I could not believe the lack of drama with that much estrogen floating on the air. There was very little sleep to be had, outhouses and fairly primitive circumstances, but very little complaining. The weather could not have been better and Sprout Lake is unbelievable . . . huge, with clear water and just about the perfect swimming temperature (you know, refreshing without being bone-chilling.) It was really nice for me to be able to relax and get to know a few of the women from our stake a little better. I also got to feel useful without really being responsible for too much. I helped with a few packs, answered a couple of orienteering questions, bathed in the lake, went on a few short walks, sang songs around the campfire with everyone and did a few other minor things here and there. This was Elizabeth's first year at Girl's Camp and Kaili's fourth. The fourth year girls went on a canoe trip and camped over night across the lake.
This week is looking like it will be a pretty busy one too. . .
We searched Paso for the Canada Day festivities yesterday! I know it will be shocking for you to hear, but we were unable to locate any. We took Elizabeth to see Eclipse at the movie theater to celebrate instead. Then, we shopped for the supplies that she and Kaili will need for girl's camp when we get home.
Ron and I have been laying low while the older kids are away at EFY. Tuesday night, Elizabeth went with the youth to a bonfire and beach party for the evening. They paddled around the bay at Hearst Beach in San Simeon and BBQ-ed burgers and dogs for dinner. She had made snikerdoodle cookies to take with her, then forgot to put them out for everyone to eat. She brought home a bag of cookie crumbs home. . .I think the chickens will enjoy them when they finally make it into the coop. While Ellie was at the beach party, Ron and I went to see Knight and Day. We really liked it and thought it was smart and really pretty FUNNY. I enjoyed the blend of romantic comedy and action.
Wednesday evening, we all went to Uncle Gary and Aunt Doris' place for a really nice dinner on the deck. It was a very relaxing evening and the mosquitoes seemed to have been kept at bay by an application of Listerine before we got there. Gary gave me a BIG surprise by presenting me with my great-grandma and grandpa Sheffer's old phone. I have been asking for it and threatening to steal it for a long time now.
I borrowed these "culinary mystery" books from Mom. I have been reading about 1 a day. They are the Hannah Swensen Mysteries by Joane Fluke (her web site is www.murdershebaked.com ) We refer to them as bubblegum-type books. . .they aren't really very challenging or too deep, but they are fun. There are also more than a few new recipes I want to try in them.
Unfortunately, Rocco is still on the lam; I am relatively certain someone decided to appropriate him when they found him. He was wearing tags, a collar, a halter and was dragging his leash when he took off. I have been alternating between anger, sadness and guilt over his disappearance. I hope my brother and Jamie will be able to forgive me for their loss.
I can't believe it is almost time to get ready to head North already, just one more week before we leave.
Thankfully, the weather continues to be on the cool end of normal here. . .
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