August 21st weekend

This (long) weekend was filled with activities.  After a long hot spell temperatures dropped down to a comfortable 80's, and that was a welcomed change for a Friday picnic.  When we attended the same company picnic two years ago temperature was in low 100's and that was just too hot to enjoy.

Picnic started at 4pm and went all the way through 9pm.  We got there right after 4pm, but only stayed till ~8pm.  As soon as we got there kids started collecting prizes and trinkets.  With in 30 minutes we already won two gift cards, and had a bag full of yo-yo's and candy type of items.  We wore swimsuits with the intention of swimming in a pool and using a giant slip-n-slide, but with everything else going on, and temperatures in a lower range, it just never happened.

Kids participated in a Scavenger Hunt, Sand Castle build, Hula contest, Bingo, Carnival games, stopped by a petting zoo, played a game of soccer, and took a walk on a trail (and that's just some of the activities).  Food was good and plentiful, they even had vegetarian options.

All in all, we had a great time, until a full grown woman tackled Jon over a free t-shirt!!  That is when we decided it's time to go home.  We could not believe that a free t-shirt would be so important to a 40+ year old woman to tackle a five year old, after he already caught the shirt and was laying on it!! Wow!  And I work with these people...

On Saturday I had planned a surprise for the kids.  I bought tickets to see an American Idol Live show!  Kids were trying to guess all week what the surprise was and even when we got to the parking garage of the show, they still had no clue! 

We had some great seats and it was a great concert. Although, I think it was a little too late for Jon and he actually managed to fall asleep some time during a second half...  That boy can sleep through anything!

To continue with a busy weekend, on Sunday we went to an Air Show.  Weather kept changing from hot and sunny to rainy and cold, and then back. 

We walked by all the vendors' booths, got more giveaways and samples, then sat on the blankets and enjoyed the show.  After a while, we decided that we saw enough plains and left, before the big crowd would flood the traffic.

What a great and exciting weekend.  Going back to work on Monday, I didn't feel like I HAD a weekend off...

August 14th weekend. Another try at Summer Camp.

This weekend I was a little more careful bout getting all excited about Larissa's Summer Camp.  Just as I found out a week earlier, so much can change so fast...

Our first Saturday stop was at LOWE'S, where we registered a while back for a kid's build.  We made Bug Boxes and got free Wendy's frosty coupon, which we redeemed right after.

We then re-packed all the camping supplies and re-double-checked Larissa had everything she will need.  Everyone seemed a little less excited about accompanying her to the campgrounds, so I just took Jon along.

When we checked in Larissa was happy to find out that her best friend Emily from last summer was in the same session.  I hope they pick up from where they left off last year!

Jon enjoyed playing catch with one of the camp counselors while waiting for our check-in to be completed.  He even agreed that he would like to stay for the week, when I jokingly asked him if he was interested...

On Sunday we got to go to Bullwinkle's park, courtesy of our work.  It was predicted to be a hot day, so it was nice to start off earlier in a day and be done before it got too hot.  We enjoyed everything we tried, and even the food was great.

I have to admit that I found out that I am a big chicken....  Miranda, Gabe and I decided to try a rope walking obstacle course, and after the first leg, Gabe and I bailed out...  Miranda finished it and Gabe decided to try again with Dad and Jon.

Jon didn't hesitate for a moment.  He took his time and he was actually a couple of inches shorter than a minimum required height, but kept going and finished the whole thing!  He couldn't even reach any of the support ropes to help keeping his balance...  wow, he sure showed me!
See it here (one leg of the challenge):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X35PddyagGE

August 7th weekend. Summer camp and back...

Larissa was so excited to finally get ready for her trip to the Gales Creek Summer Camp.  When I got home after work On Friday I found all her camp gear already packed up and ready to go.  She even laid out her clothes to wear the next day...

Saturday, at around noon, we all piled up in the car, Larissa even talked Dad into giving her a ride on his motorcycle to the campground, and off we went.

Just like in the past, when we got to the camp, we got a number for a check in, then talked to the nurse, a doctor, and a dietitian before we were officially checked in.  Larissa really wanted to get a top bunk bed and asked us to arrive to the registration a little late, because all the bottom beds get filled in first, before they allow tenants on the top.  Nice thinking, Riss!

While waiting for the registration to be done, boys played some games.

On the way back Gabe got to ride with Dad.

We thought we were all set.  Little did I know, but at 1am that night I got a call from the camp's nurse, telling me that Larissa is sick and I must pick her up...  right now.  Apparently, she started throwing up shortly after bed time and they suspect that she might have a stomach virus.  To keep the rest of the campers safe, she needed to go home, then get a note from the Doctor allowing her to return.

We finally got to see the Doctor on Monday and he suspects it wasn't a virus after all, but something Larissa ate that night.  Good news!

After a few phone calls we are now getting a second chance at Summer Camp.  Larissa will now attend Second Session of her age group!

Washington County Fair, July 31st weekend.

Is hard to believe, but the Summer vacation is almost done.  We really didn't get a chance to do much of long distance mini-vacations, not even drives to the coast.  We need to make sure that before the Summer is totally gone, we do something fun!

This weekend we stopped by the Washington County Fair.  As expected, it was warm, dusty, crowded and overpriced.  After paying $5 parking fee, we went through another $40 before we could even tell what it was spent on...

First, we stopped by the safety booth and went through a safety test and oath.

Then, Larissa tried the hammer game.

Gabe gave a grown up version of a hammer game a try too.

Kids made a set of Dirt Babies.

We checked out farm animals on display.  I have a feeling this one thinks WE are funny.

Then, before we went home, Miranda talked Gabe into going on a Kamikaze ride.  He barely made with a height requirement and I could tell he was a little nervous. During a ride his seat belt (an additional safety feature) came undone.  So, for the rest of his ride, he was more concerned about his safety than enjoying the ride.  No wonder he didn't want to ride it...

The worst part of the Fair was getting out of it.  It took us (no lie) 45 minutes to get from a parked spot to the parking lot entrance!  Sure makes you want to park somewhere else next time!