Camping Trip

Last week we, Hayden and I, went camping for 6 days! Our neighbors Jim and Heather wanted to thank us for watching their dogs on their many adventures this summer.

We went to Hawk's creek campground at Lake Roosevelt. Tenting camping with a vault toilet. There was running water but you had to continually pump it and keep the water going and it was treated with Iodine which isn't the best thing for someone who has a thyroid condition.

I didn't know how I would survive without a shower for six days. I brought plenty of baby wipes, a bottle of No Rinse Shampoo, and dry shampoo.

We arrived on Tuesday and there were only two other people. The campground only holds 20 campsites. Within a hour and half we had the tents set up and the car unpacked and the were in the boat.

Duncan, Lydia and Hayden are ready to have some fun


Some of the scenery from the Hawk Creek heading to Lake Roosevelt








Hayden waiting for a bite on his line. We were trolling for Trout


Yay! Caught a fish... getting ready to net it


A small trout... but it is a fish! Hehehe


Hawk Creek campground


Hawk Creek Campground... This dock is usually floating... The Lake was very low


Sunset on our first day


The kids at the Hawk Creek waterfall




On the last day they had a Kokanee in the box


Campfire and then there were smores


Lydia waiting to have her smores which consists the chocolate ... hahaha


Day 2... and Hayden survived the night


The kids on one of the many beaches we stopped at to swim


Lydia fell asleep sitting up while on the boat


Cruising the Lake


Hayden jumping off the back of the boat at our favorite beach spot


Duncan's turn to jump off


Hayden and Duncan tubing. It was Hayden's first time


Lydia and Hayden tubing... Hayden,"Look, Mom, no hands"


Heading into the the boat ramp and the kids wanted to all go together


Another day... Hayden and Lydia tubing


Hayden loves tubing!


On day 5 of camping trip we went to Grand Coulee Dam light show. I learned a lot about Columbia River's history that I didn't know before


The Paul family. I had them say, "We love camping!" That is the reason for the looks... hahaha


Lydia and her white teeth


Duncan


Hayden is still smiling on Day 6. He did not mind one bit that he had went so long with out showering


Jim did an excellent job on the campfires everyday


Lydia and her hot cocoa face

It was a lovely time at Hawk Creek and spending time with no cell phone or electronics and enjoying God's handiwork. We are thankful for the Paul family on deciding to take us with them camping. We would gladly do it again. It was also a great way to end the summer. We are rejuvenated and ready to hit the books this Fall.

Newport Beach

Since I am having trouble posting pictures on Facebook, I decided I should blog. I can't believe that I haven't posted anything since April. Time is going by too quickly.

The kids and I found a great little house right outside of Newport in a quiet little neighborhood that has private access to the beach. When we arrived on Saturday we dropped off our stuff in our respective rooms and headed to the beach.

The weather was perfect. Sunny, warm, with a little breeze


Hayden testing the waters


cliffs by the beach


ahhh. sooo relaxing


Bought this great Build-a-kingdom kit... it was fun... I enjoyed more than the kids


Ellie was scared of the waves after one knocked her down so I am holding her hand


She wanted to go deeper but I had to carry her... She was a little to close to take a picture. hehehe


Unlike Florida water... Oregon water is cold!


Hahaha... What a goofball


My kids tend to be a little dramatic. I do not know where they get it from


A "teepee" that was on the beach. Ellie said it was from the Indians


A bench overlooking the beach


Proof that they love each other


Hayden found this digging in the sand by the water... luckily it was dead... ewww


There was plenty of beach to play on. This was at low tide


Day 2 sandcastle that I mostly did myself... hahaha


Day 2 and heading to the beach in the evening


God does marvelous work! Just amazing


Here is a little bridge that we cross to get to the beach. I though the lighting was beautiful


Ellie and her pink beach toys


Hayden's favorite spot was on the sandbar. The tide was coming in and the waves her just starting to roll over the sandbar.


The sunset makes everyone look orange


It was beautiful


Hayden was walking by the creek that feeds into the ocean and sunk up to his knee and couldn't get out. He was saying the water is really cold


His sweet, helpful sister was trying to dig his foot out.


Ellie saying goodbye to the beach for the night


On our last day we thought we would take the more cumbersome trail to the beach


Yep, she is telling on Hayden


Trying to the get a pic of Ellie and I


The waves were bigger today


Since Ellie was knocked down by a wave she was very jumpy at all waves that came near her. The little ripple behind her made her jump sky high. Hahaha. Silly girl.


It is a Monday 11:30 am and we are heading out of town... within 25 minutes of our departure the kids were sound asleep


We stopped at Multnomah Falls for a potty break


Another one of God's wondrous works

We had the best time and it was also the first time that I had taken the kids on a vacation by myself! It was just the three of us and it was fabulous. God has strengthen me so much over the past couple of years. With Him, I can accomplish anything.