Back from Cloud Nine

Just a quick update since we don't have pictures, but the AdventureFamily returned last night from another whirl-wind camping adventure on our land near Walla Walla. We are slowly working on placing T-posts at long intervals along our property lines (which are more than 1/2 mile long on 2 sides over EXTREMELY rough country), and we got about 1/3 of it done this weekend. Not bad considering we had the girls in backpacks and we couldn't work in the middle of the day due to the heat. We saw well over 50 deer on and around our property, as well as lots of elk tracks. My favorite part was the discovery of a steep grassy slope that had a wild plum grove, as well as several apple trees. There was also a huge hawthorn that had been trimmed into an umbrella by the deer, with a green carpet of grass and thick shade underneath... very park-like and beautiful, and especially appreciated since we had just hacked our way down a cliff-like steep slope of thick brush, small trees, and nettles galore, then up the facing slope to the fruit trees. It might not sound like fun (and the grumpies did come out a few times as the temperature rose), but it was a nice adventure for us, including a cozy evening in the camper. After the girls were tucked away, we sat out in the cool evening with the Blue Mountains to our back, watching the twinkling lights of WW in the distance, and all we could hear were the owls. Can't wait until we get a chance to go again!

One More Story

I just had to tell one more story because it us cutely pathetic. Due to the cool, wet summer we've had so far, our raspberries are HUGE (although kinda watery and not as flavorful as last year's). AdventureGirl has been back to her shenanigans of grazing our lettuce, mint, and berries randomly while playing outside. Yesterday, I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have to how many she was eating, even picking a few myself and handing them to her, along with a few fresh peas from the garden. I'm sure any experienced Mom can guess what comes next. Lunchtime came and we went inside, but AdventureGirl wasn't hungry. Too much stuff from the garden, I guessed. Then, to my surprise, she VOLUNTEERED for naptime, going to her room and laying on the floor. Thinking that our long morning outside in the warm sun (and her swimming pool) had taken its toll, I coaxed her into the bathroom for a pre-nap potty, promising to have her in bed ASAP. She protested a bit, which was unusual, but I helped her balance on the big toilet and told her to give it a try. Next thing I know, I'm wearing raspberries on my shoulder and thigh, and they JUST KEPT COMING. Poor kid covered me, the toilet, and the floor with bright red raspberries, sprinkled with mint and peas. They weren't even close to digested, more like a puree. With the help of AdventureDad (who happened to be home thanks to his bizarre and ever-changing work schedule), I got her decontaminated and tucked into bed. 3 rounds of vomit and 3 sets of sheets later, she was resting comfortably and we (AdventureDad and I) just had to laugh... that was the best smelling puke ever!

The Pictures

4th of July and More

Well, the AdventureFamily is back from our latest adventure, and wow was it a great one. 2600 miles on the road, 3 days at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, the maiden voyage of our pop-up camper, and a chance to see Nana, Grandpa, (Great)Grandma, my Brother and Sister-in-law, 2 nephews, and Aunt and Uncle all in one fell swoop.
We spent our first night on the road on our property near Walla Walla, which added to the fun. It was both the first night in the pop-up (and we were pleased with how well it did in the big storm that blew through) as well as our first stay on the property. We set up in a sea of chest-high fescue and enjoyed the stunning views.
It was a lot of fun to see everyone, despite the fact that both AdventureGirl and AdventureDad got very sick (with different illnesses), and AdventureMom was similarly miserable by the last day. AdventureBaby was the only one to escape, but in truth I suspect the little sniffle that she brought home from daycare to be the original source of pestilence. Be that as it may, it was her big introduction to a large part of the family (most hadn't met her or last saw her as a tiny infant), so I'm glad she was happy and healthy. We took the opportunity to belatedly celebrate my grandmother's 80th birthday, and then we were surprised by a bunting-festooned, horn-blowing, siren-wailing parade through the campground by all of the law-enforcement, emergency, and support personnel who work at the North Rim in celebration of the 4th. Talk about a lot of celebrating!!! We of course saw some stupendous views, as well as deer, birds (including a blue-bird nest... thank you Nana) , kaibab squirrels (gorgeous squirrels with large white tails, charcoal bodies, a rust-colored cape on their back, and big tufty white ears), and most oddly of all, a bison (I have to do some research to find out if he belonged or was an escapee from a game farm). We also saw a herd of big-horn sheep during our drive down there, so it was certainly a wildlife filled adventure.
I'm posting the pictures in a separate blog to avoid the typical cramming of words. Enjoy!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Belated Father's Day to all of the Dads we know out there. The AdventureFamily has many dear friends scattered around the country and around the globe, and we share the blessings (and trials!) of parenthood with a significant proportion of them. We know how fast time is flying for our family, and how much fun we're having watching the AdventureGirls grow up, and we hope that all of the Dads we know out there are having as much fun. (It's amazing how the good memories outlast the bad, isn't it?). Here's to our own Fathers as well. My father has been such a huge influence on who I am today. I made many decisions as a younger person based on what I thought my Dad would think, and that test led me in the right direction in every instance I can think of. Now that I'm an adult and a bit more independent in my decision-making, I still value his input and opinions, and I hope that I can pass his wisdom on to the AdventureGirls.

Now on to the AdventureDad's Father's Day. Well, in truth it was much more about the family than about him individually. With his current work schedule, family time is at a premium, so poor AdventureDad was rousted out of bed a mere 4 hours after he got home from an all-night shift, stuffed into a car, and driven 3 hours (during which he napped a bit more) out to Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula. There we met with some dear family friends who have recently moved there, toured the quirky old home that they're renting, and then went to the beach for a drizzly stroll. Of course AdventureGirl was completely unfazed by the weather and thoroughly enjoyed herself, and to put icing on the cake we then went to the marine science center at Fort Waldron where she was able to poke sea stars and ogle octopi. Then we all went back to our friend's home for a BBQ dinner, home-made huckleberry pie, some quick good-bye's and a long drive home. It was a whirl-wind visit, but we sure packed a lot of fun into it. We can't wait to go back to the beautiful beaches up there when the weather's a bit hotter!

Catching Up

I keep waiting to get around to downloading pictures before posting, and I have to face the fact that I'm getting hopelessly behind without much hope of a picture-palooza on the horizon. So, I'm attaching a couple recent pics because they're adorable, but the rest will come when they do.
Things have been going pretty well here in Duncan-land. We have a couple new acquisitions in the trailer department (we're officially done buying stuff for a good long time!). First came the 4-horse horse trailer. It's a monster and looks pretty impressive going down the road, but it's a necessary evil since we have 3 horses and the old trailer was a 2-horse model... not going to work for our move this winter! So, the horses have a new limo (well, new to us anyway). We also spoiled ourselves a little and got a pop-up tent camper that the car can tow. It too is old, but still quite serviceable, and will be much more comfortable than camping on the ground, especially with the kids (the big bonus is a little porta-potty, which means no midnight runs to the pit-toilet with the kids!).
AdventureDad is neck deep in his Fellowship, and starting to wish it was over although there is still a LONG way to go. Hopefully his research project will be up and running in the very near future, which will be a relief to him, as well as a project that he can enjoy.
AdventureGirl is starting to enjoy the summer, although the unseasonably cold weather, added to the typical rain, has been putting a bit of a damper on things. Still, she has managed to perfect the art of bubble-blowing, and is enjoying kite flying and eating lettuce and spinach fresh out of the garden (it's much too cool for anything else to be growing, sigh). She cracked us up the other day when we were riding in the car. She was chattering up a storm (pretty normal for her), but we were wishing for a little quiet. We happened to smell a squashed skunk, and we asked her what a skunk says. She said "skunks are quiet". AdvenureDad said "yes, what else is quiet?" AG said " A tree". AD :"yes, that's true. Can you be quiet like a tree?" AG: "No, I have a mouth!" (Duh Daddy!)
AdventureBaby is crawling pretty well now, and pulling herself up to a stand on low objects. She still prefers the inch-worm though. It's pretty comical to watch... she launches herself forward with her feet and toes and lands on her tummy with an "Ooof", pushes herself forward with her arms, then uses her feet again. Come to think of it, she looks a lot like a seal on dry land, and she can hurl herself across the floor with amazing speed. I'm shocked at how fast she is progressing, and already miss my tiny little baby.
That's about it for now; I'm sure a lot else has happened, but that's what I get for getting so far behind. Now to do a bit of blog reading for myself... something else I haven't done for weeks!

Spring has Sprung

I think after 4 days of consecutive sunshine last week, I can safely say that Spring has officially sprung in the Pacific Northwest. Those of you who have spent any time here know that the end of the winter rains is a big event, especially for people like me who suffer from severe cases of cabin fever. Although there is still enough of a threat of frost to prevent the planting of most things, I do have some lettuce and peas coming up to the delight of AdventureGirl (their co-planter) and she will soon have more than mint leaves to nibble on in the garden.
The AdventureFamily also went on their first hike as a 4-person unit (five if you count Flat Austin, who was also along). AdventureBaby earned her back-packing badge on a hike near the foot of Mt Rainier. Although it was still snowy up there, the air was warm and we had a delightful trek. Speaking of AdventureBaby, she is getting very close to crawling, and has suddenly learned the art of babbling. She is a very sunny little baby almost all of the time, although she has no problem expressing her displeasure when she feels the need!
AdventureGirl just keeps growing up, and I marvel daily at how much of a person she is now. She is truly good company, and constantly provides reasons to stop and smell the roses. I have included a picture of her recent bathtub art... I left her alone for a few minutes with her bathtub markers, and came back to find that she had drawn a wonderful face... much more recognizable than anything I drew when I was 3, that's for sure! She has drawn many other similar faces, but I think this is her best so far.
Now it's time to head outside again, enjoy a swing and a "popstigle" with my daughter and get a little visit time in with AdventureDad before he starts another 24 hour shift!