Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Day 60: Sunnyside Up
It was a much needed low key day today. Even Rebel played "quietly" today with a new toy.
Day 59: Safety First
After a long 15 hour drive, we are finally back in California. We got home just in time for Brad to welcome us with dinner, and some Amazon packages greeting us on the kitchen counter, including a set of life jackets for the boys for our upcoming camping trip.
Camden of course wanted to try it on, and then, of course, didn't want to take it off. So he ate his dinner at the dining room table with his life jacket on. In case you know, a flash flood, or a water main leak, or a Super Soaker attack.
Pick Your Battles.
Camden of course wanted to try it on, and then, of course, didn't want to take it off. So he ate his dinner at the dining room table with his life jacket on. In case you know, a flash flood, or a water main leak, or a Super Soaker attack.
Pick Your Battles.
Monday, August 6, 2018
Day 58: Little Green Front Lines
Today is our last full day in Washington, and we kept it pretty low key, visiting with my grandparents and playing at my Mom's house.
The boys brought their Little Green Army Men (the official ones from Toy Story) with them and spent literal hours building, creating and role playing out an entire war on my mom's living room floor.
Mostly it was a war, with waves of attacks that were annihilated with rocket explosions from space (foam rockets) and the occasional "volcanic tornado" (a tornado of lava...obviously) wiping out entire fleets of soldiers.
Boys are the best.
The boys brought their Little Green Army Men (the official ones from Toy Story) with them and spent literal hours building, creating and role playing out an entire war on my mom's living room floor.
Mostly it was a war, with waves of attacks that were annihilated with rocket explosions from space (foam rockets) and the occasional "volcanic tornado" (a tornado of lava...obviously) wiping out entire fleets of soldiers.
Boys are the best.
Day 57: The Wenatchee
It hit a a chilly 106 degrees today in Leavenworth, Washington.
Seriously, where are we, the Sahara desert? Why is it so daggone hot lately? I'm not one to complain about the weather, but for crying out loud, we don't need to pretend we live on the equator around here.
In order to beat the heat and have some fun along with it, my mom took the boys and I to the Wenatchee River in town. It's a lot colder and rapider than the Russian River in California, but you can't beat the clean water and the view of the mountains.
We played for about an hour, throwing rocks and having lunch on a little island in the middle of the river. Even Rebel willingly dove in up to his neck to cool off.
It was a great way to cool off on a stupidly hot day.
Seriously, where are we, the Sahara desert? Why is it so daggone hot lately? I'm not one to complain about the weather, but for crying out loud, we don't need to pretend we live on the equator around here.
In order to beat the heat and have some fun along with it, my mom took the boys and I to the Wenatchee River in town. It's a lot colder and rapider than the Russian River in California, but you can't beat the clean water and the view of the mountains.
It was a great way to cool off on a stupidly hot day.
Day 56: Booby Trapping Grandpa's House
This morning we said our goodbyes to the west side of Washington State and headed over the mountains to visit my mom and grandparents. My grandmother has been declining rapidly with Alzheimer's, and we wanted to make sure we made it up to visit before she gets any worse, and to provide some much needed puppy and kid therapy.
Thus, we spent the day at my grandparent's house (with my mom visiting also), watching the puppy leap and bound all over the house (my grandfather was absolutely in love). Rebel didn't disappoint to entertain, and stole shoes throughout the day, purposefully knocked over his water bowl to play and ate my grandpa's shoe lace in half (while it was still on his foot).
The boys entertained themselves upstairs in the loft mostly, and made a "booby trap" with Rebel's leash, some toilet paper rolls and some pillows. The idea, I think, was to walk through the leash and half the toilet paper rolls hit you in the face. I found this innocent mischief extremely clever.
They also got to go to the grocery store with Grandma With Glasses (my mom) and pick out a new Hot Wheels car.
Can we talk about how grateful I am that they are still little enough to be thrilled with new 99 cent Hot Wheel cars?
Later, my mom taught the boys how to make rootbeer floats. For some reason neither of the kids were really into it, which translates to me that they aren't actually my kids and were face swapped by aliens.
That was basically all to report. It was a quiet day but fun visiting more family.
Thus, we spent the day at my grandparent's house (with my mom visiting also), watching the puppy leap and bound all over the house (my grandfather was absolutely in love). Rebel didn't disappoint to entertain, and stole shoes throughout the day, purposefully knocked over his water bowl to play and ate my grandpa's shoe lace in half (while it was still on his foot).
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| Grandpa Hank and his new favorite buddy Rebel |
They also got to go to the grocery store with Grandma With Glasses (my mom) and pick out a new Hot Wheels car.
Can we talk about how grateful I am that they are still little enough to be thrilled with new 99 cent Hot Wheel cars?
 |
| They got to pick one new Hot Wheels car. Decisions, decisions |
Later, my mom taught the boys how to make rootbeer floats. For some reason neither of the kids were really into it, which translates to me that they aren't actually my kids and were face swapped by aliens.
That was basically all to report. It was a quiet day but fun visiting more family.
Day 55: Aquafest and Grandma's House
As with most of our vacation days back to Washington, it was another jam packed day of fun. Those that know me, know that's how I like it! Let's get busy and have an adventure.
As it happens, Brad's grandma just moved out of her house of 50 something years into assistant living, and as luck would have it, the facility was holding a big wild west style barbecue today.
I use the term "facility" lightly. This is probably the most un-assisted-ey assisted living place I've ever been in. It's basically college dorms for the elderly. The apartments are darling, and look completely normal, except for a few pulleys here and there to call the front office in case of fall. There's a huge cafeteria ala restaurant style, sitting rooms, rolling ice cream trucks, and of course, large family friendly festivals with live music, like today. I'm totally not for retiring in such a place, but I would retire there.
We got to tour the grounds and then met up with Brad's sister Kristi and her two boys, and had a big picnic in the parking lot with them, Grandma, and my inlaws. The food was good and the music was great, and the four boys made due with entertaining themselves by hunting for bugs and leaping over traffic cones.
After the festival, we headed out to Kristi's house and the cousins played in the chicken coop ("PUT THE CHICKEN DOWN!!!" is yet another new one I never thought I would yell outloud) and the new play area under the deck. Rebel met his puppy cousin Sunny and they played and played until we headed out to Aquafest!
Aquafest is a festival in a neighboring town (Lake Stevens) every summer. It's the basic carnival faire, a few rides, some food stalls, live music and demonstrations, and games. We even met a velocirapter!
Rebel was put to the test as far as heat, being over touched by ten thousand squealing kids, and loud balloons popping every six seconds (followed by screaming toddlers that their balloons popped). He passed the test with flying colors. Holding up pieces of popcorn in the middle of the crowd, and even if people were running up to him and petting him, he still wouldn't break eye contact with my sacred little piece of popcorn.
It was a full day but a super fun day, and we were all exhausted by the end of it.
As it happens, Brad's grandma just moved out of her house of 50 something years into assistant living, and as luck would have it, the facility was holding a big wild west style barbecue today.
I use the term "facility" lightly. This is probably the most un-assisted-ey assisted living place I've ever been in. It's basically college dorms for the elderly. The apartments are darling, and look completely normal, except for a few pulleys here and there to call the front office in case of fall. There's a huge cafeteria ala restaurant style, sitting rooms, rolling ice cream trucks, and of course, large family friendly festivals with live music, like today. I'm totally not for retiring in such a place, but I would retire there.
We got to tour the grounds and then met up with Brad's sister Kristi and her two boys, and had a big picnic in the parking lot with them, Grandma, and my inlaws. The food was good and the music was great, and the four boys made due with entertaining themselves by hunting for bugs and leaping over traffic cones.
After the festival, we headed out to Kristi's house and the cousins played in the chicken coop ("PUT THE CHICKEN DOWN!!!" is yet another new one I never thought I would yell outloud) and the new play area under the deck. Rebel met his puppy cousin Sunny and they played and played until we headed out to Aquafest!
Aquafest is a festival in a neighboring town (Lake Stevens) every summer. It's the basic carnival faire, a few rides, some food stalls, live music and demonstrations, and games. We even met a velocirapter!
Rebel was put to the test as far as heat, being over touched by ten thousand squealing kids, and loud balloons popping every six seconds (followed by screaming toddlers that their balloons popped). He passed the test with flying colors. Holding up pieces of popcorn in the middle of the crowd, and even if people were running up to him and petting him, he still wouldn't break eye contact with my sacred little piece of popcorn.
It was a full day but a super fun day, and we were all exhausted by the end of it.
Day 54: A Family Affair
It's our second day here in Washington and we had a full day of fun. We spent the morning laying low and playing in the back yard of Brad's parents' house, shooting off foam rockets and hiding from the (extremely unusual) heat.
At lunch time, we drove five minutes down the hill to McDonalds and surprised Calen's best friend Cameron (who's mom, my BFF Allison and I were in cahoots to plan) with lunch together. His face was priceless and he picked up Calen in a huge hug! These are the moments we live for.
After lunch, we all went back to my inlaws' house and the boys swam (by swimming, I mean a ferocious hour long water gun fight while launching themselves cannon-ball style into the water) in the pool while Allison, her daughter and I sat in the shade and visited with Brad's parents.
Also, it was way too hot for Rebel, who decided laying under the patio chair on the cool concrete was the way to go.
Later, after the "war" was over, we parted ways with our friends and headed over to my older brother's house for dinner. We had a great visit in the back yard and a bbq dinner, and even played a little pie face.
Great day visiting family, this is the whole reason why we come to the homeland.
At lunch time, we drove five minutes down the hill to McDonalds and surprised Calen's best friend Cameron (who's mom, my BFF Allison and I were in cahoots to plan) with lunch together. His face was priceless and he picked up Calen in a huge hug! These are the moments we live for.
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| Lifelong best friends |
Also, it was way too hot for Rebel, who decided laying under the patio chair on the cool concrete was the way to go.
Later, after the "war" was over, we parted ways with our friends and headed over to my older brother's house for dinner. We had a great visit in the back yard and a bbq dinner, and even played a little pie face.
Great day visiting family, this is the whole reason why we come to the homeland.
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Day 53: Hitting The Road
We started the day at 2am, and drove for 16 hours straight after that, only stopping for gas and bathroom breaks.
Doesn't that sound like the epitome of FUN? Who wouldn't want to do that?
This is a typical drive for us to Washington State. We are too cheap to stop at a hotel or to eat (we do pack picnic lunches and tons of snacks), and time is money, so let's just GET THERE and not waste any time.
And now here we are, reaping the rewards of our long drive by visiting family in Washington State.
The drive itself wasn't terrible. We learned quickly that Rebel enjoys sitting on our center console (aka the "pilot's seat"), so he has a panoramic view through the windshield and side windows. And that was the only place he was truly happy, even though I drive like the biggest car on the market.
And then that got old and obnoxious having a dog literally in my face, so he spent most of the drive in his crate, in the back. Go away, panting face.
We got to my inlaws house in Washington a little after dinnertime, and enjoyed a ready for us bbq dinner with family, and since it was 90 degrees out (in WASHINGTON! What?!), the boys got to have a little nighttime pool time in the grandparent's pool.
And now, to sleep for a year.
Brad could not make this trip, unfortunately, due to his work schedule. He is holding down the fort at home, fending off raiders and surviving on ready made microwave meals for one.
Doesn't that sound like the epitome of FUN? Who wouldn't want to do that?
This is a typical drive for us to Washington State. We are too cheap to stop at a hotel or to eat (we do pack picnic lunches and tons of snacks), and time is money, so let's just GET THERE and not waste any time.
And now here we are, reaping the rewards of our long drive by visiting family in Washington State.
The drive itself wasn't terrible. We learned quickly that Rebel enjoys sitting on our center console (aka the "pilot's seat"), so he has a panoramic view through the windshield and side windows. And that was the only place he was truly happy, even though I drive like the biggest car on the market.
And then that got old and obnoxious having a dog literally in my face, so he spent most of the drive in his crate, in the back. Go away, panting face.
We got to my inlaws house in Washington a little after dinnertime, and enjoyed a ready for us bbq dinner with family, and since it was 90 degrees out (in WASHINGTON! What?!), the boys got to have a little nighttime pool time in the grandparent's pool.
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| Sandbox time with Rebel |
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| Rebel loved chasing the boys into the pool (without jumping in) |
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| Pool time after sunset is absolutely unheard of in the Pacific Northwest |
And now, to sleep for a year.
Brad could not make this trip, unfortunately, due to his work schedule. He is holding down the fort at home, fending off raiders and surviving on ready made microwave meals for one.
Day 52: On Thin Ice
We are super busy packing up for a last minute trip to Washington to visit family, so we were really stretched thin for time, patience, or excitement today. But, we did take an hour break from the chaos to add more chaos (because chaos is how you relax from chaos) to go to hockey-skating practice with Camden.
Because I needed more to do today.
I have literally nothing to report about the actual class, but there's something super cute about a tiny hockey player sitting on a bench waiting to skate and his skates not being able to touch the floor.
Hockey is officially the world's cutest kids sport.
Because I needed more to do today.
I have literally nothing to report about the actual class, but there's something super cute about a tiny hockey player sitting on a bench waiting to skate and his skates not being able to touch the floor.
Hockey is officially the world's cutest kids sport.
Day 51: The Happiest Place In The Desert
As the entire world (as in, all 18 of you that might read this blog) knows, we take a family vacation to Walt Disney World in Florida every winter. And so, around July or August every year, we need to buy our admission tickets, so that we can reserve fast passes for rides ahead of time.
And since Florida is basically as far away as you can get from where we live, we have to order them well in advance, and the only military base nearby that will actually order Disney World tickets for us way out here in California is Travis Air Force Base, an hour and a half away from our house.
So, the boys and I packed up this morning and took a long trek out to Fairfield California, i.e. the God Blessed Desert.
It's hot, it's dry, and those little heat wave things are always floating above the roads. It's the worst, and I strongly dislike going up there in July. But, Disney calls and I must go!
We entered the ticket the office with the intention of ordering tickets and having to pick them up in 4 weeks or so, but we were in luck, and they had them in stock! So, after dropping a disgusting amount of money on that, we headed to the Commissary, bought some cheap groceries, and then ate lunch at Burger King, because that's all the money we had left for.
Not an exciting day on paper, it seems, but having those tickets in hand makes us even more excited for our vacation in a few months.
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