Summer Vacation - Post 2: Camping in Malad (B)

We only camped for one night - but we sure took tons of pictures (maybe to help get us through the next while of no mountains, wildlife or camping like we know).

Camping is not all fun.  Gathering some kindling for the boys second night.  That's right, they sent all of us girls home and the boys stayed for another night.  The did more hiking and campfire story telling (be warned - my boys like to tell stories.  The make them up and will recount entire movies or books to you.  I think Grandpa wont need to read The Last Olympian, book 1).

At one point on their hike, Grandpa and Jayce opted to head back to camp.  This left Dad and Grahm to reach the summit alone and Grahm did it.

Our Summer Vacation in 3 Posts: Post 1 - Smithfield

We spent just over a week in Smithfield with the Geary's.  They spoiled us rotten.  We enjoyed yummy food (the best fruit leather - ever, and more).  The kids were entertained by cousins and Grandma (it was a nice break for me, a little relaxing after all that packing).  Here are some highlights:

Splashing in the backyard

A little too cold for my chicks!

Big Brothers are so thoughtless, splashing in the pool!

While digging in the orchard, we found water snakes.  We called the kids over to see and catch them.  Grahm - never having any exposure to living snakes was like a kid in a candy shop - NO HESITATION!  Scarry! (look closely at the picture - his smile says it all)

Of course if you catch a water snake you need to take it swimming.  This was one patient water snake - the second one we caught did not enjoy the attention as much.

Jayce says he wants a pet snake, but he had the sense to be a little hesitant about grabbing one.  He hated the feeling of holding it in one hand, the snake wrapped around his arm.  We told him to use both hands - then it was tolerable (not enjoyable).

Grandma loves her grandkids!

I am pretty sure Charlotte almost forgot how to walk during our stay.  Thanks Jenny and Stacey for taking such good care of them.

Jason and I gifted his parents with several new additions to their orchard!  It kept Jason out of trouble for a little while.

The whole crew working on planting! (Jason, Dennis, and Shane).

He is so sexy when he works hard!

Camera Dodging (I think he has extra eyes that alert him when the camera is pointed in his direction).

Celebrating the 4th of July!

They love art!  Thanks Grandma for making Mom chill and let us get messy!

Painting Percy Jackson pictures (Minotaur and Cyclopes).

Our House

I know everyone wants to see our house here in Okinawa.  Well, it looks exactly like the other one I posted.  But, I like to please my readers - so here is a picture of our house.  Oh- and when I said everything is cream - I lied.  I have started painting inside and everything is Almond (the yucky color of ligh switch covers and electric outlet covers), ceilings and everything!

Excuse the bags and bins of rocks, we are going to try a simple Japanese garden in our front yard.  Japanese gardens like rocks!

This is the back of the house, which you actually see first.  The road drives past our backyard and then you turn into our cul de sac to get to our front door.  We have had half the people go to the backdoor and the other half the front door!

So far things that are creepy or kind of cool - wildlife.  Everything here is on steroids!!  The fruit bats are the size of a cat with wings.  The walking sticks are 5 inches long.  The snails are 3 inches long by 2 inches, grossssssss!!  The geckos are not too bad, but they have translucent like skin, which creeps me out!!  We also had a Habu spotting at our neighbors (poisonous snake)!!  Almost forgot - we have shrews!

Fishing in Wisconsin with the Kids

Jason did his fatherly duties before we left Wisconsin and took the kids fishing.  I ended up on the outing under the ruse of "you need to take pictures."  Ha - Running 3 poles and 3 kids is more than 2 parents can handle!!  Jason was constantly re-worming hooks, untangling line, and running when ever we said we had a nibble (I am clueless).  All in all we had a good time and the kids actually caught fish (Thank you Hawleys for showing us the spot).

Grahm loves the worms, unhooking a fish, etc.. (don't ask him to wait for a fish to bite).  Jayce loves casting his line and catching a fish (but, don't make him bait his hook or unhook a fish).  Charlotte loves everything as always.

There were the little schools of fish that were too tiny for a hook but would devour your worm as you reeled it back to shore, Jayce managed to snag one.

The look says it all!

The Milwaukee Zoo - Dinosaur Exhibit

If you stay in one place long enough you might get to see some of the visiting exhibits more than once.  The zoo was on the boys list of things to do one more time before we left Milwaukee.  We headed over with our friends the Hawleys (the Dads were working) to see the animals.  We had lots of fun and Charlotte is at the perfect age for zoo visiting - she loved everything (it was her first time - I know - bad Mom).

One really fun thing was the Dinosaur Exhibit was visiting again.  These dinosaurs are robotic.  They move and make nosies, one even sprays poison (water).  The first time we saw the dinosaurs was in 2006.  The boys were a little nervous then.  This time they put on their brave faces and showed all the girls how not to be afraid.  I think turning your back on a dinosaur to get your picture taken can be a little unsettling.

Time Marches On!

2010

2006

Spring Soccer

Encouraging his team!

Even though I have not documented it, Jayce did participate in soccer this spring.  So far it is his favorite sport!  These pictures are from the last game of the season.  We had wonderful coaches (parents) who really keep things running.  Thanks to them for the past two years of soccer!

In the mix.

Way to hustle!

Supporting big brother can be so tough!!

Our Wisconsin Rummage

About 2 weeks before we left Wisconsin we had a rummage sale in an attempt to downsize, de junk, and of course pad our wallet for the move.  I am not sure we really succeeded in any of the areas.  Our neighborhood had their annual rummage the weekend before and I was not aware of it until the day before and I was not ready - so we missed out on advertising.

We really only had the locals who stopped by.  Jayce and Grahm tried to sell Krispie Kreme doughnuts, soda and chips.  After paying us back for the doughnuts and a charitable contribution of sodas from the parents - they each pocketed about $12.

We managed to sell all of the larger items (I don't think I could have moved them one more time).  The clothes - hardly any sold - so we donated them to a friend to sell at her annual rummage.  The rest we hauled to Goodwill.  All in all we almost made enough to buy our new couch (still sad to see ol' blue go).

Mostly we spent two day goofing around in the front yard!

Jason's Last Wisconsin Adventure

About a week before we left Wisconsin Jason and two friends from work (Mike and Josh) chartered a fishing boat to pit Man against Salmon on the Great Lake Michigan.  I am still unsure who won and who lost, but the few they brought home were tasty!

I think the biggest competition out there was who's fish was biggest!

My only personal question is:  If you catch the biggest and the littlest, do you still win?