Music & Camping

McKinley spent a week at Music Adventure Camp a couple weeks ago.  Our church hosted the camp,  and McKinley counted down the days until I woke her up that first morning to get her ready.  After her first full day away from home, she came home more energized then ever with a new-found passion to practice her singing parts.  She even auditioned for a solo and won a small part in one of the musical's songs.  She spent the whole week practicing her songs with the CD they gave her.  Even Piper & Tessa learned the words and motions.  Her musical was performed Sunday afternoon, and I couldn't have been more proud. The next morning we took 11 cross country running girls (our biggest group yet!) to Mt. St. Helens for our summer camping trip.  Dadda and the girls joined us this year, which happened to be Tessa's first camping trip.  We had an amazing time, especially the girls who had an endless supply of piggy back rides and roasting-marshmallow helpers.

After McKinley's performance we were treated to build-your-own ice cream sundaes.

Sophie, including her father Ed & niece Savannah, came to watch McKinley.  She had actually performed the exact musical many years ago at her church. 

Our REI rental tent ended up being a perfect fit, even with Tessa's pack-n-play. 

Some of the girls take an evening dip in the lake.

McKinley, Piper & Tessa wanted so badly to join the girls in the water, but settle for throwing rocks into the lake instead. 

Our first night's dinner was chili dogs, chips & corn. 

The girls help Bruce bring a bundle of firewood back to camp.

Piper is soaking up the attention while sitting in Grace's lap.

While Dadda and the girls explored Ape Caves, we began our 13 mile trek to June Lake.

This reminds me of the VonTrap family from the Sound of Music!

The girls didn't like the huge boulder field we had to cross.

Waiting for Bruce.

We made it to June Lake. With the exception of the waterfall in the background, June Lake wasn't all that impressive.

After 6 miles of hiking I can still do a pistol!

We never got to see the top of Mt. St. Helens.  

After the hike everyone couldn't wait to sit down.

I came back to the campground to find the girls wading into the lake. 

Our last night by the campfire, we have another round of smores. 

McKinley and Abby build a 'fairy house.'

The morning before we left, we had a hearty breakfast at the Cougar Cafe.

One final photo before we head back to Newberg. 

July 4th

The Fourth of July seems like it happened last month, especially after the two busy weeks we just had.  Anyways, the day before, we bought fireworks at our church's firework stand.  Dadda decided we should try out a few smoke bombs in the cut-de-sac. So that was fun!  And lastly, I give you the many expressions of Tessa....during our July 4th, flower-power photo shoot.