July 22, 2008

Bad, Bad Blogger, but Look How Cute I Am!



The dance of a day is at the very least challenging when there are two children home all day with, as they would say "nothing to do." To keep my sanity, I think about being on the beach during this lovely vacation to the coast. There's so much zen in walking along, your eyes cast downward for the perfect shells and rocks, the constant roar of the ocean drowning out the insignificant thoughts in your head.



Heading down the beach with backpacks on, looking for the perfect camp site.



My family ahead of me on the beach. This picture is the epitomie of the Washington Coast to me. Old growth forests leading down to a rocky shoreline, primitive and magnificent.



Mark and Claire scoured the beach for some rope and a perfect piece of wood to make this swing. It hung from some old logs that had been beached up high. I love the delicious look on Claire's face; you can tell she's relishing the experience.



Ben worked for hours to dam the creek. Did I mention there were no plastic toys accompanying us on this trip!



The one bummer of the trip was that I woke up with a raging bladder infection and had to hike back to the car and drive to town for antibiotics. While I was gone, Mark and the kids built this throne for me in our campsite. Of course, the kids really wanted it for themselves and I didn't spend a whole lot of time in it, but it's the thought that counts.



Our last morning at camp before the hike out and the long drive home. Our kids are such fun and adventurous little people and we enjoyed this quiet family time. Mark and I are so grateful to be sharing with Claire and Ben all the things that are important to us. And what's even better is that they are receptive to it. We're going to work our hardest to keep cultivating that connection.

Next up is a visit from my sister Callie, who will be joining us on the Jones Family Camp Out to Mt. Rainier. Mark is traveling to Banff for a scientific conference next week; he'll be able to connect with some old friends he hasn't seen for many years and get a little "spark" for his science. He's also preparing for a rigorous backpacking trip to Yellowstone with his cousin Chris and some local friends. I feel a scrapbooking retreat may be looming in my future!! If you don't hear from us for a while take heart knowing we're having a great time. It's summer and the living is fine.

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