Another (technical) adult!!

 

Cabin Time

Head count: 1 mother, 2 sisters, 1 brother, 1 sister-in-law, 4 nieces, 2 nephews, 2 daughters, 2 sons, one significant other, two great nephews, Michael and I. 

Location: Cabin in Crouch, Idaho

Time frame: Six days. Most did not stay for the entire six days, but that only added to the madness. People were always coming and going.

Overall mood: Pretty dang good, not counting the preschoolers' meltdowns.

Activities:

rock throwing, 

mayhem making, 

river playing and floating, 

nap taking,

more naps, 

taking a break from arguing, 

getting toes wet, 

diving in the waterfall, 

supervising, 

photographing, 

and enjoying time with cousins.

Official Teenager

 

Five Days at Brookings with Mom and Sisters

Michael and the kids went home and left me at the coast. My mom and my sisters joined me that evening for another five days. 

Sexy sisters posed at the beach. No such photos of me. You are welcome.

I took my sisters to the tidepools. They were pretty amazing.

I took a picture while we waited for the restrooms on our way to Depoe Bay. We visited every single bathroom in Oregon and Idaho on this trip. All of them. Some of them twice. Middle-aged ladies make a lot of bathroom stops.

A month before we went to the coast, my sister lost her husband who has been struggling with his health for eight years. So while we were at the coast, we headed up to Depoe Bay. Lucinda chartered a boat and we went out to release Jefferey's ashes. 

Back at camp, we went on lots of hikes

and enjoyed lots of sunsets. Krys and I also completed our Junior Ranger program booklets and earned our badges. Heidi always did the Junior Ranger program, so we had to continue the tradition. 

On our way home from the coast, we stopped at Jedediah Smith State Park to complete another Junior Ranger program. Krys, Becca, and I were feverishly completing our booklets so that we could get back on the road, when Lucinda came bounding up, vibrating with excitement. As a huge Star Wars nerd, she had just learned we were in the location where the Forest Moon of Endor scenes had been filmed for the Return of the Jedi.

We took many photos before heading home. 

After visiting every bathroom on the way home, we made it home close to midnight. Ten days away from home and my bed was the best thing I have ever experienced, even with Michael in it.

Five Days at Brookings with Spouse and Offspring

After a day in the van, we were happy to finally find the ocean.

Soon everything we owned was wet, 

and sandy. 

While there, the kids wanted to see a redwood, so we took a hike.

 

Almost all survived. We lost Ethan at some point due to a wicked sunburn on his feet.

We also spent a lot of time at the tide pools. I have no pictures of Ethan, but many of Alia. We did bring Ethan with us. Alia was just much more likely to humor me.

 

An insane amount of starfish.

 

Lots of beautiful sunsets

with the people 

who were willing to make the hike.

Worth it!

We found a river that was slightly warmer than the ocean. So of course there was more swimming. 

We couldn't go home without some souvenir shopping, which ended in ice cream.

While we waited for our cones, we took a couple pictures.

And of course there were amazing views and hikes.

One hike even ended with a surprise yonic sculpture.

Unpictured: foggy firework display over the 4th, visit to the laundromat, eating fish and chips, the rented yurt, campfires, myrtle trees, and Ethan.

Montana and Emmett

Michael and his sisters headed to Montana to celebrate their cousins wedding. 

They had a great road trip, celebrated a great event, and only did minimal damage to the mini van.

While they were gone, my niece called me to see if I was interested in joining her on a trip to the Emmett Cherry Festival. The venue wasn't as pretty as where Michael was, but the company was mighty fine. And exceedingly energetic. Three nieces, two great nephews, a goofy son, and a barely visible sister were all ready to get the party started.

While most of the party went on rides, my sister, the littlest person and I went to the petting zoo. I have no complaints.

They Just Keep Leaving Me

Despite my unwillingness to let my children grow up, they insist on doing just that.

And they choose to surround themselves with a bunch of lovely people while doing so. Be still my heart. I cry when I see this picture as these people are already scattering across the country. 

They did help paint my shed during Libby's grad party, so I have something to remember them by. Libby will always be mine, but it's hard to see her group of friends scatter. I love, love, love her entourage.

The day after graduation, Libby and Sammy loaded up in the van, grabbed a tent (but forgot the stakes), packed some food (but forgot all the dishes and can opener) and headed to Yosemite to celebrate their new freedom. They had a great time, got in a couple of arguments, and didn't get eaten by a bear. Adulthood is looking pretty good.