lake time .... camping for a change

We had an excellent September long weekend camping with old friends and new friends. I was a little suspect at first ... not sure how I would make out with 4 kids camping with no services, as we were camping at a lake in the middle of a community pasture! Thankfully I was able to use the trailer complete with a generator, so I didn't have to rough it too much! And the big bonus ... we had the lake to ourselves, with the exception of a few cows.
The weather couldn't have been better on Saturday. We enjoyed the sunshine and the skiing. Both Kiethan and Samara tried skiing. Even I tried one ski ... and got up on the boom, but didn't succeed with the rope, this time! It was a busy weekend, with 9 kids 7 and under ... and 2 others who joined us at times during the day (Jarvis is in the photos with Grady). Jarvis is the same age as Grady ... but weighs twice as much and talks 10 times as much! Looking back at the summer photos (even though I never take enough) it seems like all we did was hang out at the lake! We're going back to the cabin today to close things up for the winter; a little earlier this year as usually we're too busy with harvest at this time. Phil is hoping to go to the farm next week for harvest - what there is to do that survived the frost and dry spells!

this one is for auntie carla

Auntie Carla has made it known that she was tired of loading the blog only to see the old ketchup bottle AGAIN!!! So, here are a few photos for a change of scenery. We went to the cabin a few weeks ago and our neighbors (extended family) came with us. The kids go back and forth so much we should really just take down the fence in between us! Both Keithan and Thomas started Kindergarten this year, but go to different schools. This is probably a good thing for them and for the teachers!

Lake fun 2009

We've been spending some weekends at the cabin this summer ... 3 nights for Phil! Last year he never spent one night, so this is progress of some kind! The resort people pulled out the rotten dock this spring and piled it in front of the cabin. It was unsightly for a while, but as of last weekend all the rubble was taken away - yay! Now we are enjoying our own beach area. We welcome visitors!! This is a collection of photos from the summer so far. The weather has been great this month for cabin life. Our crops on the other hand are not faring so well.

Samara is Seven

Almost a month ago Samara turned seven. We are finding out that summer, especially right after school is out, is not a good time to have a birthday party. Oh well, two friends came and she wasn't disappointed with her party. She got an Easy Bake oven ... which we haven't used yet, a 3-D puzzle, a "real" pet parrot, a Barbie, a watch ... as well as some presents from grandparents, auntie Carla and mom and dad. It was pretty much a last minute decision on what kind of cake she wanted - limited choices were given by mom, but she decided on a beach party theme. Thanks to Polly Pockets we had some small beach decorations for the cake!

a fairly good time!

I took the kids to the fair on Samara's birthday. It seems to be at the same time every year, so the kids anxiously wait to see the West Coast Amusement crew roll into town around Samara's birthday. I should have taken photos of some of the ride attendants as they were more interesting than some of the rides! The weather was terrible. It was cold and rainy and I'm certain the rain almost turned into snow. We did the wristband thing this year and the kids did the rides they liked again and again and again. There weren't any line ups so I'm sure we got our money's worth! The tilt-a-whirl photo has a funny story to go with it. These were BEFORE pictures. Samara DID NOT like this ride. It went around 3 times and her face got scarier on each time she went by! They stopped the ride and she and Rhett got off. Rhett thought the ride was over so he didn't mind getting off! Phil wasn't there with us this year so I was with Grady while the kids did the rides. I would have loved to go on that one, although I'm not sure if I have the head to go on rides like I used to. I went on one ride where you lay face down and spin around while it goes up and down; made me a bit dizzy! Guess I'll have to wait until next year for the tilt-a-whirl!