Aren’t Grandkids Wonderful?

Ginger, Jana, Josiah, and Lilly arrived on schedule on our wedding anniversary. We had the RV camped at Champoeg State Park near Newberg. The kids had a nearby yurt for their abode. In true Oregon fashion, it rained the day they arrived and a little the next day. But that didn’t keep us from enjoying a campfire and the ever popular (and sugar-level inflating) smores.

Ginger and the g-kids are trying to keep warm, out of the smoke, and still roast a marshmallow. Nothing keeps a true Oregonian camper from his smores!

The kids enjoyed the camping, the Junior Ranger program, and the Ranger guided twilight hike. Then on Saturday we moved our camping to – guess where? Back to Lebanon!!! This time we camped at Gills Landing where we began our Lebanon experience 11 months ago. This time Jana and the kids slept in a tent. I should add that by this time the rain was history and temps were in the mid 90s. However it cooled down at night so sleeping was comfortable.

Our primary purpose in being there was so the kids could get swimming lessons from Lorlee, a friend in the church there. This we did each morning at 9:00. Actually it worked out for Lilly to be in a regular class learning basics like keeping her face in the water. Lorlee worked with Josiah teaching him to turn his head to breath while doing the crawl stroke.

We did various things after the lessons like playing in the river, going shopping, and taking a trip to the top of McKenzie Pass. The top is a huge lava bed with views of mountain tops for miles in every direction.

Beyond Joyce and Lilly are Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Washington. On the drive up we took a side trip to hike into Proxy falls. It is an absolutely beautiful hike. Actually there are two falls about a quarter mile apart but hard to get good pictures.

Snow is always a fascination for kids – especially kids from Los Angeles. There were still some patches near the top so we stopped for the kids to play.

On July Fourth we attended church at Lebanon FM, then drove into Salem to get haircuts from Debbie, a friend of Ginger’s. Then it was off to Joann’s house in Stayton for a barbecue. Stayton has a very good community fireworks display. So off we went to the high school to sit around ‘til dark to watch fireworks. But it really was good.

Two little kids were enraptured. It was after midnight when we got back to Lebanon and they were sound asleep in their car seats. Last year Lilly didn’t like the noise. This year it was okay.

We drove home Thursday afternoon. It was sure good to be back in a “big” house. Since then we have been in recover mode – resting, cleaning, doing laundry, playing with the kids. It will be nice to be home for two months (except for a week at Fir Point and maybe a trip to the coast).

One last picture I must show you.

Isn’t she lovely? Doesn’t she look like she is putting on weight? Well, she is. No, it’s not fat; it’s a …. yes, a baby. Due date is January. Our plans are all topsy turvy now. But think happy because we are. What a surprise!

As always, stay tuned. There will be more exciting things to come.