Wind, wind go away...

Living at the base of the mountains we expect a certain amount of crazy weather. We're used to the snow, rain and even the wind. But, this year has been brutal! We lost a tree during the last round of wind storm. We didn't have time to dig out the base so we left half of it standing. That half went down a couple of days later during another storm. The neighbor across the street watched helplessly as her trampoline took flight landing in the street between our two homes and our yard furniture is taking a beating. Really, enough with the wind!

Lagoon!

Once a year we head to Lagoon with the whole clan for a fun filled day of bone rattling. This year was especially bitter sweet. Bitter because this is our last Lagoon outing with Scott and Shelbi (making the move to Chicago on Monday). Sweet because everyone could ride all the rides--Jensen said they did the roller coaster seven times--I stopped counting after three--and very memorable because moder science made it possible for the Bywater's to come (bionical knees and all). Oh the memories!
The whole group getting ready to tackle the day ahead!

Smile!!

Spread 'em!

Jensen is running for cover as the boat heads into the waterfall.

Two goofy guys

Cute cousins

Watch me shoot everyone!

You know you love your grandkids when you spend the day in the heat at Lagoon and don't get on one single ride. Kristin didn't either..but you can't when your expecting.

Jensen and Grandma plotted out the day on the map (grandma makes sure everyone can read a map at an early age.)

Waiting in line, again.

First Day of 2nd Grade

Headed off to school!

The longest time

I have this child who's heart is bigger than his ability to cope with the world around him. He's funny, he's smart, he's got the strength of an oak tree and the frailness of a flower. It's been such a long summer. He's had to say good bye to too many people in his life. Just when I think we are past the tears something sparks a memory. It was Sponge Bob a few days ago. He cried for a good hour. Then, it occurred to him that a promised phone call wasn't made on the date promised. He called and was in tears for a few hours. I am so frustrated! If he was younger I would cut him off from the source of the pain. I am the gate keeper at my house, right? But he's old enough to pick up the phone and call or turn on the computer and send an email. Now what? Today he saw someone with a loved one at church and tears rolled down his face. He really is feeling abandoned and I'm running out of band aids. I've stopped saying anything. I just reach over and hug his shoulders and hand him a tissue. When will this end? When will we move past it? When will his little heart heal? Not soon enough. Scott and Shelbi leave tomorrow for Chicago.

One last trip to the garden

Before the Coombs house was officially handed over to the new family, Jensen, Anja and I made one last trip to raid the raspberries bushes, beets and corn.
Jensen and Harold have a special bond. This last romp through the greens ended with Jensen in tears. He doesn't understand why his grandparents are leaving. He doesn't understand why he has to share them. He has a broken heart. Lucky for us, it is filled with wonderful memories of spending his childhood exploring their garden and playing in the house.

Anja hasn't figured out they've left yet. She's too small. I'm sure on Saturday she'll ask why we aren't headed over for our weekly visit. I'm hoping an afternoon movie will help me avoid the questions.

Unfortunately, the new owners will get all the corn. It's still a week or two away from being ready to eat but the stocks were tall and strong and perfect for hiding.

Just a handful of raspberries were ready. But the few we ate were wonderful. It has been a treat having both sets of grandparents so close. We hope the other half of the Coombs family enjoys having them close as much as we did. Carter was at school and didn't get to say good bye at the house but he's pretty good at using a cell phone and someone we know is pretty good at blogging so we'll stay in touch.

We left Friday afternoon to make it to our cabin in Uinta Lands before night fall. We've been planning for a year to get up there to see the Pursues meteor shower without any lights from the city. It was so fun to see the streaks of lights travel across the sky. Besides a few kinks in our necks, everyone got their fill of "wishing stars".

Anja ate Oreo cookies all weekend. She likes to lick the white middles out then throw the cookies in the trees for the chipmunks.

Dancin' queen even while camping!

Four-wheeling it with grandpa!

Carter is only a few years away from riding by himself. Until then, he talks grandpa into going on long rides to explore.

Learning to work together to saw through a tree.

"I wouldn't make a very good pioneer boy," Jensen said. "Good thing you don't like to do pioneer things, mom."

Not to be out done by the boys...

Chopping trees and firewood, that really isn't needed but oh so manly!

A few years ago great grandpa build two swings that sit on his property but swing out over the marsh that leads to the pond. It looks and feels like you are flying because you are swinging over the drop off.

Thanks for a great weekend get-away!

Moving the Coombs

We spent a few days helping the Coombs get packed and ready to move to New Mexico. One of the treasures we found deep in the basement was Harold's old accordion he got when he was 12 years old. I begged him to pull it out and play us a little something. He did and the kids were amazed! He was going to get rid of the "thing" but I snatched it up. I'm not really sure what I'm going to do with it but I know it's a family treasure that didn't deserve to be dumped at the D.I. Besides, wont I be a hit at the neighborhood parade next summer?? Halloween costume?? Um, I'm thinking...