Sixteen Candles

I am so proud of the kid, even if I wonder were he came from. He loves working out and lifting weights, he loves working on cars, he love identifying cars, and he only wanted tools for his birthday. He is so uniquely himself.  

At the beginning of his 16th year, he is doing well. He's starting his Junior year of high school, his second year of auto mechanic classes, and is currently looking for a job. He's independent, self-assured, and a person of few words and a wicked sense of humor. He really is a great human.

Dino Days

The wildfire smoke and heat have been really bad this year, so we have been on a quest to find fun, indoor activities for Saturday's with the nephews. Through work I had a pass to the Discovery Center and the Discovery Center had dinosaurs. Of course we had to go. The boys were hesitant at first, but were soon ecstatically happy. 

These eggs hatched some scary little monsters. 

 

This beast ate some scary little monsters.

After the dinosaur exhibit we took some time to visit the classic exhibits. The boys were very proud of their art. Also, butts make people of all ages laugh. You are welcome!

Independence Day

The 4th of July came this year, and Michael and I were empty nesters. Both girls were working at their island camp, Ethan and Bailey were off being adults, and Sam was hanging out with friends. Michael and I were both very, very tired that evening and had crashed out on the couch. It was getting close the when the fireworks were supposed to start, and we strongly considered staying home. Instead we both heaved ourselves of our respective seats, grabbed a couple of chairs and walked down to the park. 

Watching all the families run around before the fireworks started made the walk worth it. Everyone was laughing, running, snacking, and having a generally good time. Then the nice couple next to us pointed out we were facing the wrong way. We were facing where the fireworks were going to be lit, but we didn't know that there was a drone show first!

The drones winked, changed colors, changed shapes, and changed intensity. It was so beautiful and so quiet! We were so glad that we had summoned energy to walk to the park as the drones were amazing. We both felt like we were watching the future unfold above us.

After the drones, we enjoyed the standard cacophony of glorious explosive fireworks and packed up as soon as they finished. We scuttled quickly away, hoping to be faster than the crowds that were about to start streaming from the park. We mostly succeeded and headed to our quiet, empty home.





 

June

June brought all the plants to life and the garden started putting out a its first little peas. Appa looks forward to this season every year. At long last the garden produces something for her, raspberries!

She loves her raspberries! She follows after me, I'm picking raspberries and she is nibbling all the berries she can reach. She leaves everything else, including other berries, alone. But the raspberries are her favorite summer treat. 

In mid-June my sister Lucinda decided she wanted to celebrate her birthday with a sisters' craft night. So the girls got together, ate a lot of good food, and did a youTube painting class. While our "art" will never grace the walls of a gallery, we had an enjoyable time and were pleased with our products. Except Becca, she kept painting over her art when it wasn't exactly correct. She was still proud of her blank canvas. I believe she eventually painted something on it, she just wanted to take her time.

The end of June found Michael, our nephews, and I at a touch-a-truck event. The boys enjoyed climbing in all the vehicles and honking all the horns. Plus there was free ice cream. What more can a person ask for? Finn, who is working hard on his verbal skills, asked the attendant for strawberry ice cream in a cup. He was pleased to get his ice cream, the attendant was pleased with his cute persona, and I was so pleased that he was making himself understood by a stranger! 

The last week of June saw Grace and I heading up to Bellingham, Washington for the weekend. She had applied for and been accepted to be a camp counselor intern at a YMCA summer camp on Orcas Island. She was so excited and very scared. She would spend five weeks on the island, have one hour off a day, one day off a week, chase kids for the all the other hours, and she got to pay for the opportunity. 

We headed up a few days early and stayed at Libby's apartment. Libby was already on Orcas Island, killing it as (paid) Unit Director. So Grace and I had a few days to explore the area, get our bearings, and squeeze in a few panic attacks about the upcoming adventure.

We, of course, had to visit the ocean.

We walked up and down a lot of hills and stairs. Libby's apartment is in a very walkable neighborhood, the ocean is only a mile away, the university and a lovely park is a quarter mile away, there is even a little corner market. And everything is uphill. Really uphill, and really downhill, and then more uphill. And then probably some stairs, before another uphill. My calves have never been so toned. 

One night I suggested we walk to the beach for sunset. It was only a mile away! Grace begrudgingly said yes. She wished she had said no after a quarter mile. The hills were brutal, unending, and unforgiving.   The scenery was fantastic, but Grace swore never to walk anywhere with me ever again. It was a very long mile.

Libby managed to get one night off of work, so Grace and I rode the ferry over to meet her. She was sticky, dirty, and a little smelly but we were happy to find her safe and content. The girls begged for Chipotle, so we grabbed burritos on the way back to the apartment. Libby was happy to drive, so I sat in the back seat contently knitting, completely oblivious to how lost she had gotten us. 

When we eventually made it back to the apartment, Libby headed straight for the shower, while Grace got herself repacked. We had to head out early the next morning, to get them both back on the ferry to get on with their labors.

After an expensive stop for all the personal hygiene items, we got to the ferry fifteen minutes before it left. One quick photo, one quick hug, and I sent my girls off to live on an island, with the responsibility to keep other people's children safe and alive. There are a lot of complicated emotions to sending my children off to take care of other peoples children. Pride, worry, sadness, happiness, exhaustion, and some more pride. 

I walked back to the car, and started the long drive home. I was sad but also gloriously relieved to be by myself in the quiet for a little bit. My brain had been in overdrive making sure the girls had everything they needed and where were they needed to be. It was amazing to just worry about myself for a moment. I also realized I hadn't been the in car by myself for more than an hours in decades. I wasn't even sure how to travel by myself. Thankfully audiobooks, the Chicks, and Diet Coke were plentiful and the trip was relatively painless.

Everyone made it safely to where they needed to be. We did well.

Eight Days at Sue-Meg

Let's start off with an important correction. We were there for eight days but were only supposed to be there for seven. Michael made all the plans, found the campground, reserved the cabin, loaded the truck and did almost all of the driving. He did a great job!  He just happened to get us there the day before our campground reservation started. We arrived at the campground after twelve hours of driving, with exhausted adults and three tired and sore teenagers. We were looking forward to making the world's fastest dinner, walking down to the ocean, and stretching out in a bed. Instead we discovered we had got the dates wrong and there was no room at the campground.

We pulled into the visitor center to take a moment to reset. The teens and I walked around a few paths while Michael took some time to breathe and Google. By the time we made it back to the truck, he had a hotel reservation fifteen miles down the road. We loaded back into the now-dreaded truck and went off to find our hotel. Grace was crying, Sam was zoning out, and Lily was trying to stay positive. We found our adequate, if a little worn-out hotel room, blew up an air mattress for Sam, and went to get burgers. We were safe and sound, but everyone was very stressed. Both girls ended up crying at various times, Michael was in problem solving mode, I was in soothing mode, and Sam was along for the ride. It was not how we hoped to start our trip, but we endured. Michael dug out everyone's necessities and we went to sleep. The next day after partaking in a very humble breakfast spread, we packed up and headed for the tidepools. It was time for vacation to begin!

Lily had never been to the proper, beachy ocean before, so she was a bubbling ray of sunshine. She was so excited for any glimpse of the ocean, and she was almost beside herself when she was finally able to view it in person! We went to the shore and found starfish, baby crabs, anemones, and even one tiny orange octopus. All of the travails were worth the joy.

After the ocean we made it to the campground where we could unpack and unwind. The cabins at Sue-Meg were so nice. It is one large open room, but there was plenty of room for all of us, all of our stuff, and room to sit around a table. And the path to the ocean was just on the other side of a grassy field from the cabin. 

It was heaven to be so close to such a gorgeous beach. The next morning Michael and I walked down to the beach at low tide. We found the beach scattered with agates, shells, skate cartilage, mermaid purses, and urchins. It was a truly amazing beach.

We spent the next several days exploring all the area had to offer. Grace and Lily were told if they licked a slug, it would make their mouth go numb. They decided to pose as if doing just that, but stopped short of licking the slug for many, many reasons.

We saw the sunset from a different viewpoint each night.

One day we drove into Eureka to visit Sequoia Park Zoo. It cost a bit to get us all in, but it was such a pretty zoo.

Sam loved the petting zoo. He decided he was going to make friends with and brush the goats. He was sad that the pygmy goats didn't share his enthusiasm. It amused me to see my giant teenager petting goats with the elementary school aged kids. 

I, also, enjoyed the petting zoo. I kept coming back to visit my favorite guy. I felt like we had a communion of the soul. 

The big draw for heading to the zoo was not the animals, which were great, but was actually the trees. The zoo had built a set of wonderful bridges and paths among the sequoia trees. Even hovering several stories about the ground, with the tree roots below you and the tree tops still far above, it is hard to understand the true scope of the trees. 

When we first entered the zoo, a little boy was running ahead of his family shouting, "Everyone is getting ice cream!  Everyone gets ice cream!" When we saw the cafe serving ice cream on the way out, we decided the boy was a prophet, and who were we to argue with that? There was only one thing to do, so we left the zoo well-entertained and with bellies full of ice cream.

Not being content with only seeing the trees at zoo, we also went for a hike through the Redwoods. We decided to park at a campground and hike toward Fern Canyon, made famous because of it's amazing canyon filled with ferns and, and also, its screen time in "Jurassic World." We knew we wouldn't make the entire hike, as it was twelve miles round trip with a sizable climb, and Grace and Michael were both fighting cold/covid/mystery illness. So we started out with our walking shoes and water bottles. After going about 3.5 miles with a lot of downhill, Grace said she wanted to hike the entire path. I pointed out that we would have to go uphill on the way home and we hadn't brought extra water or snacks, and she was still sick. It would have been fun but unwise to push on, so we turned back. We still had a lovely time and the trees, ferns, and mushrooms brought joy to my soul.

The last day of camping we headed into town and a sandy beach. Despite my suggestions, I was assured that everyone was sure that they would only do a little shopping and tide pooling. There would be no need to bring bathing suits. So we did a little shopping and a little beach combing and then we walked to the beach for the last time. The day was slightly warm and very sunny. Next thing I knew Grace was swimming in a "make-do" swimsuit. 

Sam, unfortunately, was wearing jeans and an underlayer that wouldn't pass as a swimsuit. This led to Sam and I hiding behind a rock trading my shorts for his pants. The love of a mother....

Lily, not being insane, was happy to sit on the beach and take in the experience. 

After a few minutes swimming, but enough to give Grace a wicked sunburn, we loaded everyone up and headed back to camp to start packing up. The trip had been fabulous, but slightly too long (maybe by a day?), (editor's note: "Ha ha!") and we were ready to head home, even if it meant another 12 hours on the road.

May

Our May started on a sad note. Five years ago, when life was hard and painful, we decided to adopt a cat. After much research, we drove to the humane society to adopt a young three-legged cat. Instead, we left with Gertie. Gertie had four legs, was thirteen years old, and was missing half her teeth. She was also the sweetest, cuddliest cat we had met. Once she made it home with us and got settled, she informed us that she was more of a stuffed animal than a pet. She just wanted to lie in a warm place and would cuddle, if you insisted. She did decide that living on Libby's bed was ideal, and cuddling at night was manageable. She did not appreciate being picked up and quickly trained the dogs to leave her completely alone. She was a welcome addition to the household, and she gave a lot of comfort during rough times.

As we knew would happen, though, she continued to age and slow down even more. Then her kidneys started to shut down, and prescription food only helped a little. Eventually, she quit eating and drinking, so we called the vet for an appointment. They could not see her until Tuesday, but on Saturday she spent all day cuddling with all her humans and then slipped away. She wasn't great at being a cat, but she was our cat, and we loved her. I'm glad we gave in to the begging children and adopted an old, toothless, lying cat. She fit right in.

May marched on and Grace turned 17 years old. She had a great time having family and friends join us at the park. She only has one more year until graduation, adulthood, and college adventures. In my heart, seventeen to eighteen is the fastest year as a parent. It always passes in a blink. I think I have one more year with this person, but only get a heartbeat.

Just a few days after Grace's birthday, Lily had the audacity to graduate. She is attending BSU in the fall, so at least she will still be close to Grace. I'm not sure Grace will survive without her. 

In May all the plants bloomed, the trees turned green, and my babies turned into independent people. May, in fact, might be the cruelest month.

April

I'm just going to do a quick run-through of all of our April adventures. 

This year only my two youngest hunted for easter eggs at the annual get-together, and, adding in cousin Julia, there were a total of three people searching for eggs. Everyone is getting too old for this tradition, but Georgette keeps doing an amazing job of hosting the hunt, and my kids still love the fun of it, so the tradition continues. These faces make it worthwhile, every time.

Shortly after Easter, Michael had a friend who was heading up to Montana for work, so he hitched a ride and visited a dear friend he hadn't been able to see for years.

He spent a few days seeing the sights with his friend Kim. The went to the planetarium, the science museum and even visited Yellowstone.

Yellowstone in the spring was amazing, and Michael was so happy to be able to have a few days to catch up with a dear friend. 

Meanwhile, I stayed home and kept everyone mostly alive. While Michael was gone I attended a Superbowl party that our dear friends invited us to. While there I ran into the amazing Milo and sent a picture to Libby, so she could see all the fun she was missing. (Editor's note: Katie apparently forgot I was there too. And Grace.)

With barely a break, the next weekend was prom. Once again, Lily and Grace went together. Once again, they are not dating. Once again, they think they are hilarious. 

While her dad had the camera out, Grace had to show off her handstands and cartwheels. Her favorite party trick is to stand on her head and play piano man on the harmonica. If you are lucky enough to see the performance, it is not something you will soon forget. 

The very next weekend, Michael and I headed to Bellingham to visit Libby. Her community choir was doing their big performance. Michael and I had never been able to make it work to visit her new town, and we were able to get the weekend off, and Libby needed Michael to fix her car, so to Bellingham we went. 

Libby and Kylie are roommates in Bellingham, so they took us to all the beautiful areas. While Michael and I enjoyed the ocean sunset, Libby was making questionable rock-climbing decisions, which led to Kylie having to lend a helping hand. It's so nice they have each other to depend on while they are away from from their birth homes.

Michael and I went on endless hikes and fell in love with the area. Things just grow. Everywhere. And you don't even have to water them. And the temperature rarely gets above 75 degrees. It makes one wonder why we live in a desert. 

On the night of the concert, Michael and I had a pleasant surprise: Libby and Kylie didn't tell us that they were singing a duet! They sang beautifully, and I got a little misty-eyed. I can't believe how much these girls have grown and changed since they started singing together in junior high. They are both so talented, kind, and genuine, and I'm thankful for both of them. 

After a crazy April, we took a big breath and jumped into May.