Olympic National Park

Now that all the people are fairly self-sufficient and can go almost everywhere we have decided to take advantage of the places around us. We missed being able to do this in the past due to work schedules and the ages of the kids but NO MORE!

So for our first family summer adventure we chose to go to the Olympic Peninsula to Olympic National Park, Forks, WA and the surrounding area.

The drive over was long- over 4 hours- since we couldn't take the camper on the ferry :( but it was beautiful.

Water makes getting places a little slow.

As we drove the 101 the sun was out and beautiful. Crescent Lake was clear and a beautiful shade of blue and then we turned south... Towards Forks. You know that town Stephanie Meyer put in her Twilight books and was quasi-imortalized in the movies (although most of the movie was filmed in Canada.) And then the grey set in. With days of  90+ degree weather at home this was not unwelcomed, plus how does one appreciate the natural state of Forks without the grey weather.

The region is unique and beautiful. 

From LaPush to the tide pools at Ruby Beach, the Hoh Rain forest and the Sol Duc Hot Springs. It was an experience I hope that the children and we won't soon forget.

LaPush was a fun spot to stop and explore.

Ready to hunt some Vampires?

 

Ruby Beach is full of beautiful tide pools to explore. These tide pools are full of Ochre SeaStars and Anenomes among other sea creatures.

Ruby Beach!

HOH Rainforest.

If you are ever able to get to the Olympic National Park or the peninsula you have to make the time to visit this area just so you can see the exquisite beauty that exists here- and you can come see us too. 

Growing up is hard- Especially for Mom

In March, Clyde -AKA #1 son- competed in a state competition for the Technology Student Association. We promised him that if he won at state we would try to send him to Washington D.C.
He did....So we did.

Clyde is a very good young man. He is studious and smart. He is kind and conscientious. He is brilliant and industrious.
He also has a great advisor in Mark Klune and I was certain he'd be fine.

BUT. He is 13!
And the National competition was is Washington D.C.

THIS IS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTRY! He also doesn't possess- nor will he- a cell phone. 

The upside is that he placed in 3 of the events he competed in:

First place, TEAMS Tech Bowl for Middle School- think Jeopardy for technology information.

Second place, STEM Animation- Middle School

Third place, Problem Solving- Middle School.

In the end it was OK, but it made me realize that I have 3 sons and they don't communicate like daughters and  I only have 4 summers left with the #1 son. 

Growing up is hardest on Moms and no one knows that a part of you just aches when that baby who lived inside of you for 9 months is now taller than you are :(

Luckily, I have always tried to embrace each moment I have and not take for granted the fact that I can't recapture their childhood.

Rx: SUNSHINE

Winter is hard for me living in WA. There is rain and spritz and grey and less than ten hours of daylight. If this lasted only three or four or five months, maybe I could cope but I don't.
October
November
December
January
February
March....When February hit my hubby made a decision. "We gotta get you to some sun!"
Thankfully he knows.
Unfortunately we couldn't go until April!
Fortunately, I have a sister who agreed to take the kids and the dog while we were away.

In our search for affordable sunshine we went to Cabo San Lucas. Although it is VERY touristy we had a car and traveled around the southern end of the Baja Peninsula.

The best part was spending half a day fishing on the Pacific Ocean. Ryan was fly fishing- that is no easy feat! I was spin casting. I landed a Sierra, had a Yellowfin Tuna on, but it spit out my hook just as I was about to land it.
Ryan's best experience was while reeling in a fish when an enormous seal jumped out of the water bearing his teeth at us then the seal ripped the fish in half leaving Ryan to reel in the remaining head of his catch :(

Although the day was not a win- as far as fishing goes- it was a ton of fun and I look forward to fishing more with my hubby in the future.

We snorkeled and visited Cabo Plumo National Marine Park in the Sea of Cortez. We saw the Hotel California in Todos Santos and chased the sunset. We visited La Paz and San Jose del Cabo.

                                      

No matter how much I think I know how important spending time with my spouse is somehow I am always surprised by the fact that we actually still enjoy each other. After 16 years together life can get in the way but these trips are necessary!

Ryan at L'Arco, Lands End!

Sunset Todos Santos

Ressurection

I just re-read my last blog post and realized that it was a little too hopeful. I Can Do Hard Things was like a cry to God that if I believe hard enough I'll be OK.
I wasn't but that's fine. Who can be OK all the time?

Anyways I will give a brief recap of what I have neglected and then proceed. With friends and family all over the country I think that this is the only way that I can stay in touch. I won't be perfect with posting but it will be better than before. Also if you care to see there are a few posts I neglected to post after putting in my draft folder.

Christmas in Disney World

Christmas 2013

For our Christmas we were afforded the extremely unique opportunity to meet with the Norris family in Orlando, Florida. It had been years since we had all been together and it was indeed a blessing to spend time together. We are extremely grateful to Mom & Dad Norris for this opportunity.

For our portion of the clan it was so nice to see the sun again. We desperately needed to get out of the grey as it so negatively affects us all.  It was also great to just have time to relax with Ryan and the kids. Not that we really relax though. We got up early everyday and were in the parks right after opening or at opening to beat the crowds and to get the most out of the experience.  I just want to do as much as possible when given the opportunity as I will never have this opportunity again with my children at these ages. CARPE DIEM!!!!

This was my first Disney experience, and although I am not a HUGE convert I will say that I would go again. It was thrilling and just  great way to spend time with the kids and each other.

We also visited Univeral Studios, Orlando and that was so fun too. The older kids had fun on the thrill rides and the little ones loved Suessville.

The only thing that I would have done different for my clan is that I'd do mre Christ and less mouse. But there is always next year to improve.