Annual Family Vacation

Every year, we decide to take a family vacation to someone who lives far away.  We have only begun this tradition when we decided that our kids are capable of not moaning too much about the distance we have to traverse.  One new idea of late that helps is to play audio books (rather than DVDs) to keep the kids' minds focused on something other than the long drive.  The nice part is that while the story is playing, they still can look outside and see things.  Plus it prevents that nauseating, stomach turning feeling Luke gets from looking at a screen too long while driving.  

In years before, we have went to Seaside (just Coralie and I), Shawn's (including Lake Tahoe and Big Tree), St. George and Zion's National Park, Yellowstone (with April and Grandpa Stark), Ryan's in Coeur D'Alene, and this year we decided to go to Seattle and visit Jeff's place and Aunt Robin and Claire's home.  Because it is 8 hours from here to there, this trip required Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.  I actually liked it.  We listened to the whole thing in about 16 hours.  I never plan on reading the books but listening is a great option.  Next year (fingers crossed), we'll go to Katie and Jared's in North Dakota where we will be able to listen to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows.  (Yes you live that far away)!  

But we arrived in Tacoma to Aunt Robins on a sunny Wednesday afternoon where we had a scavenger hunt, water balloon fights,    

 (Colton pelting Robin)

 (Yup, I hosed April with the left over water.  I may have enjoyed that a little. Not sure what she thought.)

and dinner.  Shawn brought his brood up also which made for a pretty cool evening.    

 Here the girls are refilling the balloons for cousin Stacy who drove up form Portland to see us.

She got worked over as well.

But the big moment (and Sadie's most favoritist part of the trip) came when a doe and a buck came strolling through.  She about exploded in a loud girly shriek that would put Banshies to shame; she had to cover her mouth.  But then the nature hunt was on.  Claire led the pack towards utopian unity tracking the doe for at least 45 minutes through people's yards and through every clime until the doe stopped.  Sadie even fed it an apple placing it on the ground and backing away allowing for the animal to approach and eat.  Having not witnessed the grandeur of the moment, I imagine the scene from legend when the princess approaches the unicorn to touch it, pixies and all.  

At lease I got a snap shot of the prize. 

 We slept every night at Jeff's house which was absolutely fun.  I have a great brother.  Thanks Jeff!  The next day, we all (with Jeff this time) took the ferry to Seattle and walked around downtown.  

 While the kids were busy watching for Metroids (jelly fish) and seals, I caught this cool picture of Liono (?) from Thundercats. She is one cute kiddo.  Enjoy the pictures.

 Near the Downtown Markets

 The cousins infront of a metallic squid.

Jaden is the cutest thing since a pink pearl necklace.  She loved us and we loved her.    

 Riding the Monorail

We eventually made it to the Space Needle which was neat.  But my squad decided to play in the massive fountain there.  It spurt water to the rhythm of music.  My favorite was "Ode to Joy" by Beethoven.  I called this rendition "Ode to [kids thinking that they can outsmart and out maneuver the massive silver water ball because they think the know everything and have yet to learn what the term 'grand finale' means] Joy.  I liked it because the ball completely exploded water at the end covering the kids in an unexpected torrent.  There was nothing they could do to avoid it.  Of course me, in an effort to get our kids so we can go home, thinking that I am any smarter than them, got toasted forgetting the human element of surprise, Jeff.  Who do you think is in the red t-shirt cursing the guy in the black?  I still feel cold... wet... socks!   >:{
I was ticked at Coralie because she didn't warn me.  She affirms the opposite in that ESP and wishful intentions should count.  If you look closely though and study the evidence in the above picture, (and ask who is taking the snap shot), you can see a white, toothy grin of "warning" from behind the lens.  Scandal, that's all I have to say.

That Friday, we made off for Mt. Rainier (8th highest in the planet).  Claire and Robin were our guides and we saw some beautiful sights.    

 Luke running from a chunk of ice that I chucked at him.  

 My snowball wind up scared Maia so bad that I think what you see here is her ghost.  Her body is down at that lodge you see in the background.   

 Last morning at Jeff's.  Skyler is so funny to me.  I like that guy.  He has a great heart and will make anyone laugh.

Jeff was such a good brother to me and a great host to us all.  We went mini-golfing with him and Jaden and had a great time with him.  It was good to catch up with him and I hope that it is not the last time we hang out.
A big thanks to all (Jeff, April, Shawn, Stacy, Robin, and Claire with respective families) who made this vacation so good.  We can't wait to do it again (minus the wet socks).

11 year-old Scout Camp

So, since I am "in charge" (meaning last willing person by default) of the 11 year old scouts, it becomes my honor of babysitting these fine young men (or moaners as I call them) for one whole day devoid of any parents.  Luke has officially completed his 1st Class rank and is now fleeing my group to work on becoming a Star, Life, and eventually an Eagle Scout.  Thank goodness he can swim unlike me.  To quote my dad, "Casey... All that iron in your blood turned to lead in your butt."  At least I make a good snorkeler.       

Not much to say really except that Luke got a cool knife, I made good burgers and horrid pancakes, and I had to follow up another scout leader since I lacked one in my ward.

Looking at this photo makes me feel fat.  Why did my wife pick this one?  Oh yes, because I only took four.  And now she is proof reading this with a smile like "Don't blame me!"

Luke is used to me and camping pictures by now.  I never take any pictures until we leave.  At that time I say, "Luke it's time to pose so that your mother doesn't kill me."  Inside it gives us both, especially me, a smile.  Look at how he posed above.  What a goon!

Now, even though I want to camp with other people's kids as much as I want fleas, I actually do like camping with Luke.  He is a good boy and will be a better man that I ever will be.  Keep workin' toward that Eagle!!!  I am proud of you son.

Maia, The Grasshopper Hunter

Maia marks the beginning of spring with the first grasshopper she sees.  Every year she'll shriek with joy when she spots the first one of the year and then run inside to grab her "bug house" and try to catch it.  Then all summer she goes out and catches them, and butterflies, and anything else she can! So I felt I needed to document this annual ritual for her.

Here's Luke being a good big brother and helping her get her grasshoppers in the bug house.

Showing me her awesome catch of the day...6 baby grasshoppers!!!!

Here she is, so proud of herself! 

And I am, too.  Love you, crazy girl!!!

Karen's Wedding

Karen has been my friend now for more years than I can believe and I was so happy to hear that she was marrying her long time friend, Justin.  

The ceremony was beautiful and so was Karen!

Don't they just look happy?

They had a dance as part of the reception during which Katie Belle was in her element.  She danced like crazy the entire time, even if she was by herself!

I love this picture of us...he loves me. :)

The wedding was so much fun.  Karen and Justin had thought of the kids and to include them, they'd planned a photo scavenger hunt for them.  The wedding itself took place at the Boise Train Depot so we also had the chance to go up into the Bell Tower and explore the grounds.  Between that, the dance, and the funny pictures we took of ourselves at the photo booth, the kids declared it the best wedding they've ever been too!  

And one of the best parts?  I got to see friends I haven't seen in a LONG time.  It was so fun to see those familiar faces again and catch up.  

We were lucky to have Brandon, Laura and the family stay with us for the weekend.  We played games, took kids swimming, caught a baseball game and just had a blast!  

And maybe even better...we got to see the next generation be friends, too!

14 YEARS??? 14 YEARS!!!

I guess I am responsible for all things written on this blog.  (At least by stating thus, Coralie hits me while I smile).   =)  But yes, in an effort to be good, I told her I would try to write more.  I hope you like it.
Thanks to Grandma Rawson (and all who helped), Coralie and I were able to escape for a week to Utah and celebrate our 14th anniversary.  We visited some familiar sites where we began our family.  We went back to the temple in Logan for the first time since then, where we were sealed, and reminisced on the promises we made to each other.  Like that beautiful day back then, we also went to the tabernacle, to Annie's restaurant, and stayed at the same hotel.  Later we drove up the canyon, a beautiful drive for those who go through there.
The next day we departed to Park City for a night.  We shopped at the outlets and visited the 2002 Winter Olympic venues hosted there.        

The Ski Jump.  It's massive!

Us in an authentic 2002 bobsled.

We also stayed two nights in Salt Lake before coming home.  The first day we saw Star Trek: into Darkness, shopped downtown, and ate a little.  But the highlight of the trip was watching RSL play the LA Galaxy and whoop 'em 3-1.  

That guy in white... #10 from LA, yeah that's Landon Donovan.  He scored the only goal for LA pulling down a header at the top of the key with a quick half volley snapping it into the left back of the net to tie the game at 1's.  It was magic.

That Saturday, we walked around Temple Square where there were 8,000 weddings happening.  We actually decided to tour the Conference Center and visit the Lion House (a.k.a. the Beehive House) instead since neither of us had done so before.  Those were both awesome to learn about.  We had the fortunate experience to meet a British couple visiting from Dubai, of all places, in the Lion House who seemed more interested in the place than even the tour guides.  According to his Arab ID, his name is "Whiney" to which his wife laughed as I read the Arabic.  "That is exactly what they call him!"  They couldn't figure out why they couldn't just call him Wayne.  He gave me some monies from there so I could show my students.  What a cool couple.  

If you get a chance, go take a tour of the Conference Center and look at all the beautiful art found there.  Somehow, reprints don't do any justice.  All of it is spectacular.  Here is the SLC temple from atop.

One item worth mentioning for anyone looking for a great place to scrub up some good grub near the downtown Salt Lake area...Go to Hires Big H, you must!  Those are the burgers and fries you are looking for!  Move along.  Move along. 

For the last bit, we went shopping in Boise together while Grandma Rawson watched the kids a little longer.  Coralie had won (shocker...) a radio station Mother's Day contest where she got a ton of gift cards for the downtown area which she spent happily.  

Thanks again for those of you who allowed us this time!!!