Cabin Summer Finale

We were on the schedule to spend one more summer weekend at the cabin before school started (July 29-31). But for some reason, I was having a hard time committing to go. Maybe it was the fact that Ryan wasn't going with us (he was still on his boys backpacking trip), or maybe it was that we'd been in limbo with my Grandpa Harry for a couple of weeks, not knowing how much longer he'd hold on. Or maybe I was just "tripped out" from all the packing and unpacking and laundry, etc. from the summer travels. I don't know. But I am so glad that we went. So glad. It was really a nice, relaxing weekend. Fantastic weather. Great family time. And the kids had a blast with their cousins, as always!

Barrett, Easton, Molly Johnson, Rowan, Afton, Avery Brown, Lily & Ella Berrey, & Lainey Brown playing down at the creek. Rock hopping, bug collecting, exploring, dreaming...Just like I used to do. But many of the Pine Creek memories of my youth revolve around water. Too bad it seems like the creek is dry so often these days. Every time we round the bend just before the big tree with all the family name signs leading to the cabin, my kids excitedly ask, "Is there any water in the creek?" They love that creek, wet or dry, and seem to find countless hours of joy down there every time we go. Reminds me of someone I know...

I'm not sure what Buddy was spitting at - maybe a butterfly or june bug or just a little old fly. He cracks me up.

Tough duty being a kid...

My cousin, Corinne, with baby Reid (named after my Grandpa Reid of course), strolling down Walnut Lane in front of the cabin. We love the Berreys and are so glad they came up to play with us.

I took the kids up the mountain to hike the trail on Saturday afternoon. They all did great (well, except for the two that decided to turn around and come back before we really even made it 100 feet).

(Avery, Lily, Afton & Riley)

Afton & Avery with the snail collection. I'd say it was cool, but honestly, I think those little suckers are just super gross. The kids were loving the rain we had, since it made the ground nice and juicy and ripe to dig up slugs and snails and worms. Pretty much kid heaven I suppose.

Easton & I had fun making a domino trail after we played a game of Mexican Trains. He's actually pretty good for a 5-year old. And too funny...his giggle is truly contagious.

Grandpa Steve made his famous home made ice cream again (both Friday and Saturday night). I think we should make that a cabin tradition (hint, hint...) After busting out the ice cream maker over the July 4th weekend, I've been thinking about that delicious homemade concoction a lot. There's nothing quite like homemade vanilla. Grandma Cindy whipped up the delish recipe and Grandpa did the churning. Well, it wasn't hand cranking like in the olden days, but he babysat the batch, kept it iced up, and gave Easton a chance to work alongside his grandpa. I loved having home made ice cream growing up - especially with the Mexican vanilla - and nothing's really changed about that. My mom & dad are still pros.

Good times at the cabin...once again! I'm not sure if we'll make it back over Labor Day or not (we may take the kids camping) and since Fall Ball is starting in a few weeks, our Saturdays will be busy for the next couple of months. So I don't know when we'll be back. Hopefully soon.

Oh What Do You Do...

in the Summertime, when all the world is green? Do you play by the stream...

Actually, it's a creek - Pine Creek to be exact - and yes, we played and played in it this year. With all the summer rains, the creek was flowing hard. I've long held the contention that kids really only need a few things in life to keep them happily occupied for hours: water, dirt, and sunshine. At the cabin, this theory is not only often tested but always proves to be right.

Riley caught a dead something in the creek. Not sure what - it sort of looked like a soggy carcass of some sort.

Oh ya, how does the rest of the song go?

Oh what do you do in the summertime,

when all the world is green?

Do you play by a stream

or lazily dream...

on the banks as the clouds go by?

Is that what you do?

So do I.

We had some good rain while we were at the cabin, including a magnificent thunder and lightning storm - one of the best I've seen in years. We sat out on the large front porch of the cabin with Grandpa Steve and Grandpa Reid and watched the incredible downpour. Grandpa Steve taught the kids how to count after they saw the lightning hit and wait for the thunder to see how many miles away it was. They had so much fun doing that. I have no idea how accurate that method really is...seems way over simplified to me...but it's what we learn when we're kids and always seems to stick with us. Watching an afternoon thunderstorm from the cabin front porch is one of my most vivid cabin memories from my youth. Funny, I know, with all the zillion things to do up there. But watching mother nature in her finest hour from 6500 feet up in the middle of the majestic mountains as the sheets of rain pound the earth and the cracks of thunder echo off the cliffs, making your heart race leaves something of an impact in the mind of a child...I still love watching those spectacular storms...

We played on the swings...

We dug in the dirt...

We searched for worms,

...and made new collections...

We played lots of Gin,

accessories the newly refurbished fort with bench stools

and did a little "rain proofing."

Although we didn't get any pictures of all the other stuff we did, we played lots of games (Clue, Monopoly, Battleship, Ticket to Ride, tons of cards), ate lots of food, including way too many of Grandma Cindy's phenomenal homemade cinnamon rolls, I ran lots of miles in the high altitude, Ryan mountain biked & hiked, we helped Grandpa Reid get the septic system issues fixed, I sewed a quilt, all the girls made cute yo yo's for hair clips, we watched Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief, enjoyed time with family, and had a summer trip to remember.

I love, love, love our summer trips to the cabin. I can't wait to go back.

(Pictures taken 7/31/10 - 8/3/10: Pine, AZ)

That Would Work Out Great

I am so looking forward to spending a few days up in the pines this holiday weekend. We are retreating to the cabin in Pine with Grandpa Reid, Kris, our folks, and a bunch of cousins. We can hardly wait.

In their excitement to get to the cabin as soon as humanly possible, the girls have offered their opinions on the ideal (meaning ideal for them) departure scenario several times over the past few days. Each version went something like this: "OK, Mom, this is what we should do. On Friday, have all our bags packed, all of the food ready, the ice chest filled up, and all of the stuff loaded into the suburban. And don't forget our water bottles. And then we can just go to the bathroom at school right before we leave. And then have everyone ready and buckled in the suburban, come get us from the bus stop, and we can just go straight to the cabin. We'll just throw our backpacks in the back. We don't even have to go home. Don't you think that would work great?"

Sure. Great. So I offered an alternative scenario.

"How about you pack all the food and you pack all the bags and you load it in before you go to school. Then I'll play all day and I'll be ready to go when you walk home from the bus stop. Don't you think that would work out great?"

I got a couple of knowing grins shot back at me.
I think they got the message that mom doesn't like to do it all.
So they are eager and ready to help back their own bags tonight :)

Here are a handful of scrapbook pages of times enjoyed at the cabin in recent years. Of course I'll be taking my camera (never go anywhere without it) this weekend too, so I'll have some new gems to post soon.

Pics from Labor Day last year