Fort Stevens

Oops - This has been a draft for almost 2 weeks!! Is summer kicking anyone else's back end or just mine?!

Grab a blanket and snack, this is going to be a long post folks!

Every year my family goes to Fort Stevens in Warrenton, OR (Astoria). We book our sites for 14 days, yes I typed that right.

14 days

When I say we I mean my siblings, parents, aunt & uncle, cousins, grandpa & long time family friends. It's crazy nuts! We basically own the loop of campsites! This year we only stayed for a week. Anyway I've decided to make this one long post instead of several but I took several hundred pictures and just don't know where to start. Actually I will start at the beginning by sharing a funny little story........

Judd and I purchased a tent trailer a few years back and it was a great tent trailer, 2 king size beds, microwave, fridge, slide out dinette, etc.... but no toilet. Judd couldn't live with that! We said we'll take it this year and after we get back we'll look for something different. Judd's friend suggested he post it on Craig's List at a high price, pull it when we leave and then put it back on when we get home and people will think, "Oh, it's still available and cheaper too!" So Judd put it on Saturday and on Monday (2 days before camp) we sold our trailer!

AHHHHH!!!

Judd told me to keep packing and he would figure out where we were going to sleep. My Mom was more worried than I was! I really was okay with it. So we tent it, big deal. Except we don't own a tent LOL!! Don't worry we found a trailer, bought it Wednesday night and went to camp a day late, whew - we made it!

Now for the fun stuff....

Coloring time @ Grandpa & Grandma's campsite. My mom made the kids these crayon holders. They are the GREATEST things for sacrament!

A friendly game of baseball. Swing Grandpa, swing. This daily event would attract kids from all around the loop.

The game of "Guess What I Am?" A great game!

Making smores

It is a tradition that we do a movie night in our trailer. Great Grandpa came to enjoy the popcorn, kids & movie.

Buddy shots

My dad had this great idea of making the kids a zip line. Ryan and Judd helped get it together. They were trying to get the rope to "stretch". Funny boys!


Sticking around the campsite is good, but not everyday all day. Here's some of our outings...

Climbing the Astor Column in Astoria

All the grandkids

Ma & Pa - Aren't they cute

Matthew & Harrison being the cow & farmer at the Tillamook Cheese Factory

Haley & Savannah riding the carousel in Seaside.

It is a tradition that we go to Seaside for a day and get taffy, eat lunch, walk around and ride the carousel - lots of fun!

Busy, busy Luke

Luke has been very busy these days. He loves to unfold laundry, climb stairs and eat everything he finds. Last night we had the missionaries over for dinner. Judd took them home and the older 3 kids and I were playing around and taking pictures of each other being silly. Savannah loves my camera! Next thing I know I heard a gasp from both girls and a ...."Luke, what have you done!" Here's what I turned around to find......

He must have grabbed a corner of the tablecloth and pulled a cup of milk down. He was having so much fun playing in the spilt milk that he cried and threw a fit when we grabbed him out of it. So then I take him upstairs give him a bath and put him to bed. No this was not punishment it was simply bed time. Several minutes later he starts fussing, which is unusual. Judd heads up to his room and calls me upstairs. Our little Houdini had taken off his diaper, set it next to him and his onesie was still completely buttoned, all 3 buttons. Hmmmmm, that little turkey! Fortunately it was still a dry diaper and nothing to clean up.

This is not looking good for future "naps/bed time"!

Turn up the volume and Shake it!!

As I was on the treadmill last night trying to decide what to listen to I remembered this fabulous rap. Not only will it get you moving, it's not offensive! That's right, this is the best of both worlds!! For those of you who have never heard this (absurd!) consider yourself deprived!

For all of us who have,

turn up the volume and shake what your mama gave ya!

Our 4th of July

We had a very fun 4th of July! Our ward had a pancake breakfast & bike parade at a local school. The kids decorated their bikes the day before and were so excited to go. Matthew has a bike but prefers to drive his John Deere tractor, no pedaling involved - little stinker. We then had the Loomis', Ellinger's and Allen's over for a BBQ and it was Yummmmmy! We had some homemade ice cream after, that's my personal favorite!

We then put on our pj's and headed to the Allen's house for some fireworks. The boys went after the BBQ and picked up some... I mean a ton of fireworks. I think that Judd & Jeremy had more fun than the kids did! They reminded me of Beavis & Butthead. Fire, fire (ha, ha) fire! Come on we all know that episode!! Giving each other hi-fives! There were so many people doing them this year (thanks to the Fort not doing it) that we were able to enjoy ones all around the neighborhood too! Of course we had to munch on muddie buddies and caramel corn - It was lots of fun!