We’re on an Adventure!

Last weekend was supposed to be the weekend for me to walk in the Portland to Coast Relay with a bunch of friends. However appendicitis happened and despite being six weeks post-op the surgeon suggested skipping that level of activity (especially since I was recovering and not training). Therefore we took advantage of the change in plans and went on a road trip/adventure.

First stop was to my parent’s house as originally scheduled. Dad’s 59th birthday was the day before we left so when we got there my sister hosted a birthday party dinner complete with German Chocolate cake covered in frosting made from scratch (Dad’s favorite). Usually I avoid coconut in dishes but this was sooooo good that the coconut could be overlooked.

The next day we took a short trip up towards Longview to visit one of my oldest friends. She and her family took in the kittens we fostered this past spring. Add to that fact that the last time we saw each other in person Emilie was under 6 months old and her youngest two weren’t even in the picture. You could say the visit was long overdue. It also was too short in my opinion (I think she’d agree too) and we’ll definitely have to wrangle a longer get together next time one of us is in the same vicinity as the other…hopefully that’s not another five years.

 

 

Part of the reason we couldn’t linger longer was due to the fact that my Mother, sisters, and I had planned a “Ladies Night” (another long overdue occurrence). Dinner a La Pellah down off Highway 14 near Fort Vancouver (Not sure what the area is called now as the county has grown so much, and that shopping complex didn’t even exsist when I lived in Clark Co.) and taking in The Lion King, Broadway Musical, at Keller Auditorium in Portland.

It’s been ages since I’ve seen a play and this one was well worth it for the costuming alone! Plus the company wasn’t too bad either…

After that it was off on the adventurous side of the adventure. Many years ago we discovered we work much better without a plan. A basic idea of where we want to end up when, yes. A detailed plan, no. So we knew when we headed out Thursday afternoon we wanted to try to land in Moses Lake that evening, we also wanted to avoid the main freeways if possible.

Dad suggested taking the old Lewis River Highway around the back side (south side) of Mt. St. Helens. The drive is scenic (takes you past Merwin, Yale, and Swift reservoirs, you get great views of St. Helens and some nice glimpses of Mt. Adams too) the road is paved all the way through, and you come out at Randle, WA on Highway 12, and from there you can pop right over White Pass into eastern WA.

The drive was gorgeous. The road itself, however, left much to be desired. Once we hit the Forest Service maintained road there was pretty much a 35 mile stretch where the road had buckled or slid and been poorly patched if patched at all. With all the shade from the trees you couldn’t even see some of the dips until you where half way through them. It was truly and adventure. I felt for those riding through on motorcycles or pulling trailers. Not sure if the problem is unstable terrain, low maintenance budgets, or some combination of those factors, or what, but Kevin came through it feeling a whole lot better about the maintenance and upkeep he does on the forest roads here.

After we bounce or way around the mountain and stopped for milkshakes in Yakima we cruised up to Moses Lake just in time for Chico’s (aka the best pizza known to man) and a dip in the pool. Turns out those swim lessons are paying off as both kids were able to paddle across the deep in of Grandma and Grandpa’s pool without too much difficulty.

From Moses Lake we aimed the car toward home but opted to head for Walla Walla and Milton-Freewater instead of the usual trip through Tri-Cities. Of course we stopped at the Country Mercantile on 395 and while Emilie sampled her way through various salsas, Jack discovered a new love of Dilly Beans. Not too surprising as he loves dill pickles. I canned 25lbs of pickles last year and he’d eaten them all by February (did 30lbs this year).

Our intent had been to try and stop at the Whitman Mission outside Walla Walla, but if you recall what I mentioned about us and planning… By the time we reached the turn off for the mission the kids were wasting away from hunger in the backseats. There was no food to be had until Walla Walla proper so we thought we could always go grab something and come back. But as we drove through town we saw the Fort Walla Walla Historical Museum and it looked pretty neat and  wouldn’t require much back tracking so…change of plans. We grabbed lunch at the Ice Burger Drive-In (Highly recommend this to my burger/shake loving crew) drove back to the museum and ate at the park next door then went and toured the museum.

What Fun! The museum covers history from the early days and Indian Wars up to WWII. There are also huge displays of farming equipment, a penitentiary display, and a little “town” of buildings the historical society has moved to the Fort from the surrounding area and staged with period items.

There truly was something for everyone. Kevin and I were most impressed by the early harvesting displays for harvesting wheat on the Palouse. Can you imagine driving 30 Mules at one time? Quite the undertaking. Makes using a combine harvester seem like a cakewalk in comparison.

Enough history for one post…back to current events. Though I do recommend getting over to visit the Fort Walla Walla Museum if you’re in the area.

As I mentioned before we were on the scenic route. From Walla Walla we headed south through Milton Freewater and popped out at the Travel Plaza just east of Pendleton right before you head up Cabbage Hill. Here Emilie took the liberty of dumping her just purchased icy-cold beverage on my feet in the middle of the store…ahhh memories. Once I washed all the orange stickiness off my feet (thank goodness for small favors and I was wearing flip-flops at the time and not my sneakers…much easier to clean) we headed on over the Blues and stopped in Nampa for the night.

The next day we finally made good on our promise to take the kids to the water park. We’d picked up a couple of passes at the school carnival this spring and were going to go after swim lessons concluded in July. Once again, foiled by the appendix. This was about our last chance to squeeze it in before school started. Both the kids had a blast! I only have one picture as water and cameras don’t really mix but I will say both kids rode the slide in the background of the picture. Both kids were fearless…me not so much. Normally waterslides to bother me but I fret about my novice swimmers. Emilie was so small compared to most of the kids on the slides and while she was too short for some of the bigger rides Jack made the cut…barely. Seems he is precisely 48” high…so precise that we had to take him to guest services to get an “official” measurement and wristband so he wouldn’t be turned away from any slides for being too short. I was hoping he’d be under, but his excitement at being a “big kid” made up for my lack of enthusiasm. Fortunately Emilie adored the lazy river so she and I spent most of our time there. Though, my thighs were sure to remind of how many laps we made the next day.

After three or so hours of swimming the kids were both exhausted so we went and got a late lunch at Yard House (And yes, we did have the Mac and Cheese Squared) stretched our legs with a quick tour around the Zoo and then headed for home.

It was a fantastic way to cap off the summer. We’ve had a great one, but I’m ready for school to start and for us to be back in a regular routine!

Summertime Blues

Anybody who follows the blog on a regular basis is well aware my summer blogging activity is somewhat lax. Too much here, there and everywhere goes on and I often just plain don’t have the time to post anything. This summer has been particularly stagnant in the blog writing area as once the main weeks of summer business passed I ended up with appendicitis (woo-hoo *inset sarcasm*) and spent a good two weeks going stir crazy on the couch. But more about that later. A brief pictorial recap of what has been going down since school let out.

1) 4th of July – My side of the family came for a visit and we enjoyed several days of just chilling in the backyard and hanging out. Blowing up a watermelon using rubber bands was a highlight for the kids.

2) Swimming lessons – No sooner had the family departed, when we started swimming lessons. This year we tried lessons at the Filer City Pool. It was a fantastic experience and I’m sure we’ll be doing it again.

3) Ice Cream Social at Ritter Island – A fun day of watch horses and antique tractors plow and plant, exploring the old dairy and waterfalls, plus a wagon ride, impromptu game of ‘Red Rover’ with other visitors and, of course, ice cream.

4) Malad Gorge – We had several water days out at this state park taking advantage of the flood irrigating of the picnic area. Water Safety put on by the park was a favorite. It was a free event and the kids (and adults) got to test out canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddle boards.

5) The Appendix Goes - I had felt fine at Water Safety Day pictured above, but the next day I woke up feeling terrible and thinking I had food poisoning. I couldn’t keep anything down. Around noon that part abated and I just felt uncomfortable and really bloated. Took some gas-x and ibuprofen and figured it would all work it’s way through. Monday there was still no relief and my lower abdomen felt like It’d been worked over with a baseball bat. Since nothing OTC was providing any relief I got an appointment to see my primary care physician. He looked me over and said, “Well,it could be a virus, but have you had your appendix out?” Since his clinic doesn’t have the equipment (CT machine) to diagnose appendicitis he told me to head over the the hospital ER and said he’d call ahead and talk to a Dr. friend who works the ER. I kid you not the guy’s name was Holliday….Doc Holliday, go figure. Anyhow, I got to the ER about 2:30. They had me back in a bed for observation and in live for a CT by 3pm. By 4:45 I was back for a CT scan and by 5:15 Doc Holliday informed me the appendix had to go. By 5:30 I met the surgeon, Dr. McKain (Who was AMAZING btw…if you need a surgeon I’d recommend him. Excellent beside manner. It’s obvious he really cares about his patients. I mean how many surgeons ask for a hug after your last follow-up appointment because they’re glad you’re okay??). By 6 I was in the OR and by 7pm all was said and done. I was in a room by 7:15 and up and walking by 9pm. They released me at Noon the following day. ‘

My appendix had ruptured, but it was only a “pinpoint perforation” so no major infection outside the appendix. Still got to take some heavy antibiotics for several days post-op. 4 weeks out I’m feeling about 90%. Two out of the 3 incisions are well healed and the third (the largest of the three…it was laparoscopic surgery) is looking really good. I’m moving well, there are just days where I have no energy still and I’m not allowed to lift more than 15lbs (which is harder than you think). Give me a few more weeks and I should be back to ‘normal.’ I was humbled by the support we got from friends and family. My mother in-law came a stayed for  a week which was enormously helpful, plus my parents and sister sent dinners even thought they live over 300 miles away. Plus some local friends stopped by with meals. It really did ease a burden and we are so grateful.

6) California Cousins Visit – For the first time since we moved to Idaho eight years ago Kevin’s brother and family came to visit us. Usually everyone just meets up at the folk’s in Washington and we see each other maybe once every year or so. Having them come to our place was a nice treat and we got a chance to show them some of the local “tourist attractions.”

This was pretty much just July – whew! Hopefully August is a bit more laid back, but knowing this family I doubt it.

Swimming in the Snow?

Today is the kid’s last lesson for their Oct/Nov swim session. (next week we start another round, for what it’s worth) In other news we also have our first snowfall of the year. It’s only an inch maybe, and that’s being generous, but it’s snow nonetheless. Before Thanksgiving too. It’s been a couple of years since we’ve had that honor bestowed on us. But back to the swimming lessons. I told Jack it was lesson day and he says, “But it’s snowing!!” like it’s some sort of ghastly wrong to swim when there is snow on the ground….even if you are encased in a giant heated Jiffy Popper-esque bubble where the snow can’t get you. We’re going despite his concerns.

Both kids are coming along nicely in their swimming skills. I’m just waiting for the moment it all clicks with Jack. He moves pretty well as long as he can reach the bottom, but panic tends to override his ability once he realizes he’s in water past his head. He is thiiiiiisssss close to getting it though. I think he’s ready for the next class level.

 

Emilie is doing great too. Her listening skills need some work, but that’s the only thing really holding her back. She pushes her limits a little too much for my sanity. When they go to the 4 foot area to practice kicking/strokes together my heart is always in my throat. Even though she’s been told and told and told to hang on to the wall and not let go she’s more than likely to try and test you on that by taking one hand off the wall then switching to the other. She’s determined to give me gray hair by 35. While her skills say she could move up a notch, her listening is going to hold her in the pike class for at least one more round.

Oh, and for anyone wondering about the purple swimsuit. It has been a hit. She’s worn it for every lesson except one and it seems to be holding up as long as you turn it inside out to wash. However, it does result in the appearance of Emilieena Ballerina at the most random moments. Mostly when the teacher’s back is turned…..

Bass Lake Beach Babies

My little pollywogs love to swim, and a friend was kind enough to invite us down to the local country club as her guests to swim at their ‘swimming hole’. Bass Lake is spring fed so the water stays a nice cool, but not freezing, temperature and is crystal clear (It is also full of bass as the name implies). There is a playground, sandy beach with plenty of buckets and shovels provided, roped off swimming area for the littles, and even a slide. If you want to do catch-and-release fishing you can, there are also canoes, paddle boards, and paddle boats available to use….it’s a pretty awesome place.

 

Jack was determined to wear the slide out. Up and down, up and down. Thankfully he was tall enough and is good enough in the water now that I didn’t have to wait at the bottom every time because he must have gone down that 50 gazillion times. Emilie was more cautious about the slide (it’s “too high” when you get to the top) and mostly did belly flops off the dock. That, and practiced her underwater swimming technique. A friend loaned her some goggles which she thought were just awesome and she’d stay down for 30 seconds or so just looking at stuff.  Both kids are really coming along with their swimming abilities spending all that time in the water.

(Yes, he is covered in sand in the photo. Every time he got out of the water he’d literally roll around in the sand to coat himself….I don’t ask)

Needless to say the kids are in love with this place… and never want to leave. 11am to 4:30pm is just not enough time in their book.

Thanks again to our friends for inviting us! This is a fun place to make some memories. You’ve spoiled us for sure!

Water Babies

Last night wrapped up the kids’ current round of Swimming Lessons. They both had a blast and shockingly, both passed! Jack was no huge surprise, he’s been trying his hardest to do everything. Emilie, appeared a little more ‘la-ti-da’ about the whole thing though and I figured would need another round at this level. Mostly because most the time during class she’s like this: (not sure how she can hear instructions like that)

She must have super sonic hearing though, or is a natural water baby because she can do everything on the Pike level checklist.

I love to see their improvement each time they go. Jack, despite some tricky starts, is really putting his full effort into mastering this whole swimming thing, and it shows. He’s even getting the hang of floating on his back.

I don’t have pictures but both kids took to life jackets like glue if it meant you could go to the deeper part of the pool and jump off the side (As Jack tells me, ‘You can’t go to the deep water without a life jacket on!) Kick boards were a little tricky for Emilie. Jack caught on pretty fast, but Emilie wasn’t quiet so sure what you were supposed to do with this floating slab of foam. Chew it maybe?

Thankfully they had a great instructor who got her squared away fairly quickly. Even better, since it was the last night of class both kids got to jump off the diving board. Jack was fearless…and Emilie will do anything if brother does it first so their was little hesitation by either child. I on the other hand, knowing how graceful my children are, was silently chanting ‘don’t slip’, ‘don’t slip’ to myself as they scampered out on the narrow board. Who knew a diving board could be so nerve wracking…..

The pictures really do say it all. The kids enjoyed lessons beyond words. They also say Emilie has a potential future as a Rockette…. (see below)

That said while they were wrapping up their lesson I went and signed them up again. Might as well keep on it. Summer’s coming and the better they are at swimming the more confident I feel about taking them around water in general. Specifically, I think a trip to Grandpa and Grandma’s pool may be in order.