A note on the pictures: For some reason I am having trouble getting the pictures on this post to show. I finally ended up putting them on flickr and linking to them, but some of them are now showing up somewhat distorted. The clearer versions can be viewed here.

We are back. That was not the easiest of trips, though I am very glad that we got to go!

Galen decided to play shy with my family. Only Mommy, and Mommy alone, would do. Since Steve was back home going to work, and working on the house, and generally working himself into the ground, this presented a bit of a challenge for me. All of his waking hours (which were far more then usual) were spent either carrying him or keeping my busy little guy out of trouble (and there was plenty of trouble to be found!).

Sleep was scarce for all involved and the car rides were long and numerous. In addition to the general displeasure that is being trapped in a sweltering car, in some of the hottest weather we’ve had yet this year, car rides make me ill. The result being that I was tired and weak much of the time.

A quiet relaxing time in the woods it was not, but there was much joy to be found.

We set off for the camp ground rather late in the day, after the pathetic scene that was me wildly flinging random things in the car (in lieu of a proper packing) while calling out instructions to B the Builder over my shoulder.

Once there we found that our sites were in a lovely spot, right by the lake.

A pair of herons visited us daily. On our last morning they gave us a spectacular show, flying in loops around the water together.

We had just barely pitched our tents when the first of the rain showers rolled through.

Kids handle this kind of thing with far more grace then adults. Baring any other toys or amusements, the boys played with my keys in the tent and watched the rain drops running down the roof.

By the second set of showers we had managed to bring in a book. We’re currently reading “The Wonderful Adventures of Nils”.

The latter set of showers flooded our tent. When we resurfaced Galen went all Woodstock on us in an adorable and hilarious display of mud puddle dancing.

The next day marked Galen’s first and Iain and Elijah’s second ever trip to the ocean.

Galen would have happily run in over his head if I had let him (he was in fact rather pissed that I wouldn’t!). I held him as the waves hit him and he giggled hysterically, then he would lift his feet and allow them to drift up as the wave receded.

Iain and Elijah were far more cautious just at first, but soon warmed up and had a wonderful time in the waves.

On the beach Iain was preoccupied with attempts at touching a sea gull. A quest that quickly lured in both of his younger brothers.

Then back to the camp ground in time to see the sun set over the lake.

We visited America’s Stone Henge.

It was really quite fascinating.

I actually wish I had had some more time to explore it sans rambunctious toddler, heat and humidity.

The boys enjoyed the children’s gem dig.

That evening after my parents were in bed, and most of the little ones, my sisters and I stayed up well into the night singing. What started out as camp fire songs morphed into lullabies as I nursed the baby to sleep and from there turned into a free-flowing stream-of-consciousness singing that ranged from traditional Scottish folk music to Lyle Lovett, John Prine to the soundtrack to “White Christmas”, the Beatles, old spirituals, Joni Mitchell, “old timey” music (yes, the soundtrack to “Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou?”), American folk songs and classic rock. This is probably my favorite memory of the trip. Watching the boys explore new things was wonderful, but I only get to see my sisters a couple of times a year and this time together was very special to us. The next morning my Father thanked us for the performance. He said our singing “sounded like angels voices echoing through the woods”. Now wasn’t that a sweet thing to say?

By day four the children and I were exhausted. My Dad and my sisters set out on another adventure, while my mom and I opted to keep the kids close to the camp site for the day.

They made “Pop-pop Pockets”. A craft project arranged by my mother, involving the pockets of my father’s cast-off jeans!

Even Galen got in on the crafting action.

Elijah hung his pockets in a tree to dry.

In the evening we went to the lake and made dinner over the fire before putting the children to bed early (kind of).

Day 5:

We packed up our site and headed out. Our journey home included lunch at a fabulous little Mexican restaurant, a stop at a garden center and shopping at the fabric store. My Dad took Iain and Elijah to a park, while my Mama, sisters and myself (with babe in sling) made a stop at my favorite little fabric shop. I picked up some of the fabric for the boys’ Christmas pajamas. It’s just the sweetest flannel print! Everyone helped me to pick the fabrics for Elijah’s quilt. I am so, so, so excited about this project!!! I’m in love with all of the fabrics we picked out and I can’t wait to get started.

Well, now that this has turned into an entire weeks worth of posts in one (yikes!), I better go make some dinner and start unpacking.