Crater Lake 2009

So Crater Lake is so amazing. We just got back from a vacation there. We went to the Wildlife Safari in Roseburg, Oregon on the way down to Crater Lake. Paid big bucks to get in but my it was so worth it. A giraffe stood 5 feet from our car; an elephant named Alice washed our car by squirting us with her trunk and then wiping the windows with a sponge; a bear showed us a new sleeping position: the kids got a birds and the bees lesson from a black and brown bear; an ostrich followed us in our car, etc. What fun!
At Crater Lake we got to see the lake, swim in a fabulous lake called Lake of the Woods, spend time with our cousins (Scott's brother and his family), etc. We met some new friends because of a conversation I had at the time I made the reservations. It seemed that Heidi, one of the owners of the resort where we stayed was going to have a birthday while we were there. I told her that since it was on the 24Th of July that if she was in Utah, she could have a parade in honor of her birthday. They have a parade then to celebrate the pioneers entering the Salt Lake valley. She told me her "parade story" which was a great adventure where she ended up in a parade in her car by turning onto a street during a fiesta days parade in Colorado. We talked about having our own parade in our cars while I was there and how silly that would be.
Well, we got to Union Creek Resort and later in the evening, I was asking for advice on where to take the kids for a hike. A lady at the resort took me outside to show me which direction to go, etc. At the end of the conversation, I thanked her for her help and asked her what her name was. It was Heidi! I squealed and said "Heidi, it's Michelle, the parade lady!" She squealed back and we hugged each other and laughed. I am sure everyone around us thought we had lost our minds. It was as if we were old friends.
Well, we ended up at the ice cream shop to have her husband go check out a few issues in the cabin (light bulbs, etc) and while there, she gave me ice cream for the kids and then we "toasted" with spoonfuls of birthday cake ice cream for her birthday. Then these two older gentlemen entered the store and I asked them to sing happy birthday to Heidi with me. She cried, probably because the song was so bad. he he
The next day,we invited Heidi and her family to join us and Dale and Lisa's family for lunch. We had made Curry and we had enough to feed an army. The kids had so much fun together. Then later that evening, we were starting a fire to have smores, sing campfire songs, etc. Up the dirt road comes Heidi honking in her car, all her kids in their wagons, bikes, etc. They started throwing candy and laughing. It was a parade just for us! What fun! The kids ended up playing, having smores, etc. until late into the night. It ended with Lisa leading us in a camp song about not wanting the good time to be over. Something about "Ooo hoo, I want to linger."
The next day we had ice cream for lunch and spent the afternoon helping Laurel, a great girl who was offering horseback rides. All the kids got to brush horses, help get them saddled up, and then each of the kids, Katie, Ally, Rylee, Sarah, and I got to ride a horse for a half hour ride through the forest. A memory for sure. Especially for the two littles who had never ridden a horse before.
We are now home and awaiting the arrival of Dale and Lisa to our home from their adventures on the coast this week. They have never been to our home so hopefully we will be good hosts and they will enjoy their stay. With the heat this week at 102 and climbing, I think all of us are glad we have air conditioning. I know several friends who are hanging out at our house for the week! We love company and wish more friends and family would come visit.

Taylor enlisted in the Marines

So after graduating, I am finding that Taylor isn't the sit around type. He took the tests and joined the Marines on his 18th birthday. The ASVAB (Armed Forces Vocation Apptitude Battery) has an average score of 42 (out of 99). Taylor got 82! He will be going to bootcamp in San Diego in October for 13 weeks. We as parents have mixed feelings about this but overall, we are proud that Taylor has a plan and that he seems to know what he wants. We have always known that once Taylor decides something, he means it. He will be training for MP (military police) and then be stationed at a base somewhere (which we won't know for a while). I am shooting for Hawaii. A mother must visit her son afterall. he he

Well, Taylor graduated from high school. I gotta say I was pleased that this day arrived. There were some moments along the way (think 12 years old to 15, 16, 17 etc.) where I wasn't sure it would happen. This is a picture with Taylor and his proud parents, his girlfriend Sara and her proud parents and Taylor's proud Grandma Charlene. I think there was a lot of proud going around that day. Maybe a little relief too. One down, several more still to go.

Grandma Charlene, Taylor, Chelle, and Scott. Thanks Grandma for flying up to help celebrate the big day.

Sara and Taylor with the well-earned diplomas in hand! After this picture was taken, they were off to a great big all night party to celebrate! The school rented a cool place in Vancouver with rock climbing, swimming, food, fun, more food, etc. They even took the kids there and back by bus.

Are we really old enough to have three teen-agers including a child graduated from high school?

I think I look shell (Chelle) shocked in this photo. Maybe the same look I got every time a child was born. The "am I really doing this?" look. This photo was before the graduation ceremony. I think I mellowed as the evening went on.

Silly Taylor and Sara at prom.

Taylor, Sara, Corey, and Charlie before they left for prom.

I made Tay and Sara stand for "way" too many pictures before they went to Prom. But come on, I am the Mom! Don't they look great together. I love these kids.

Ally took our picture. I love being married to Scott. He built garden boxes for me this weekend! Now we can grow a garden! Rascal loves to lick water from the faucet. Cameron took this picture and I thought the angle was cute.

My friend and I took our kids for a treat after running through the dandelions. They look so cute on the curb together. I miss Nathan.

Only preschoolers can get this excited about dandelions. Wish they'd pick them all from my yard. (luckily this is NOT my yard)

So Nathan, who has become such an integral part of our family, is going home to live with his Mom again in just a few days. It feels so weird to pack up his toys and clothes. I have been doing it slowly as he goes to stay with his mom overnight twice a week. Somehow it feels better to lose him a bit at a time than all at once. I once thought the transition period was only for the foster child but now I know that it is for all the people involved. He is so happy with his mom and she is really trying hard to get it back together. But I will miss his cute smile, his big bear hugs, his laugh when he is tickled.

There are so many good experiences we have had with him. I guess that if we have memories, we won't really lose him at all. Today he goes to stay overnight with his mom. Tomorrow, Wednesday, we have him back at 8 a.m. and then we have him until he goes home for good on Friday afternoon. His mom says she will have our family as part of her support system. That's good because that means we would get to see him sometimes. I am interested to see how that goes. We love you Nathan!

I learned how to make bread here in Oregon! The kids favorite part is to "play" with dough and have flour fights. Aren't they cute!

Sarah in her Easter outfit. She is getting so grown up.

Nathan was happy to pose for a picture.(As long as he had the candy bribe in place)

Rylee has such a cute smile. He looks grown up in his new Easter shirt.

All six kids holding still in one place. I had to beg and take 8 pictures to finally get this one. I love my kids.

Left to right in the back is Ally, 15, Taylor, 17, Cameron, 12. Left to right in front is Rylee, 4, Sarah, 6, and Nathan, 2.