Metolius Vacation Week 1: Family

How many years has our family made an annual camping trip to the Metolius River? The first time, I believe our middle son Eric was just a little older than this grandson of ours. We started in a large tent, and oh I remember sleeping on an air mattress while eight months pregnant and no restroom to be had without a cold walk in the dark. A year after Nick was born, we were thrilled to have a little trailer with a bunk bed and a double bed, and best of all, a toilet! When the boys were small, Will's sister Sue would meet us there and would bring a birthday cake and presents so we could celebrate their birthdays or "half birthdays" with her.  

We have so many great memories of trips with various friends and family over the years. Our tradition now is to camp with two of my brothers, Doug and Galen, and as many of our collective children and grandchildren as can manage to get there. This year we enjoyed having all of our kids and their significant others there together for a brief time, so of course, family photo op. 

 It was interesting. Kam does love to grab sunglasses, headbands, etc.

Someone thought it would be a good idea to take pictures of the parentals. 

Someone just had to tickle the ticklish person.

Here we are, looking mature.

Kam was a super busy boy, exploring all the fascinating surroundings.

Fortunately, he would sit in his chair and play with toys to give us a break!

He loves anything with wheels and all animals.

When a one-year-old is around, there is always great entertainment!

A chocolate lab near water is also entertaining.

And then there's fly fishing...

after some wise advice from the old guy.

And an audience (Carol and Galen) who casually use a blade of grass to tickle the unsuspecting granddaughter (Jenna). (She gets him back later.)

Snack time...

time to meet Venisa's labradoodle...

and play peek-a-boo with Mom

and pose with mom and dad..

and have more snacks...

and play in his pool...

and maybe have a little drink...

Christina and Nick went to an awesome little cabin,

and Christina made a fantastic fish boil, which we tremendously enjoyed,
along with the view.

Good times!

Love this grandpa!

Kam is fascinated with plants.

He spent quite a bit of time checking this one out at our campsite!

We had Kam all to ourselves for a couple of days.

It was delightful.

Truly delightful.

Utterly delightful.

Brother Doug got an amazing huge cast iron skillet for Father's Day from his kids.

We all contributed to breakfast burritoes and got together for a huge breakfast.

It was amazing!

Oh look, another unflattering picture of someone eating! (Bad LeAnn!)
(No, it's not me!)

If you ever want to sit around and practice tying knots, Will is your man.
So is Kevin K.

Kam enjoyed meeting Renee's little pooch...

He also had a great time playing in Suttle Lake.

along with his aunts and uncles.

We had fun taking hikes along the river together,

and I introduced him to the lupine and other wildflowers growing abundantly there.

Oddly enough, he quite enjoyed chewing on a yellow squash.

Uh oh, stuck in the toy box.

For the first time, I  bhought him a Starbucks drink when we went to Redmond. He loved it! And oops, look at the goose egg above his eye. Possibly he took a tumble or two while he was running around being a little boy.

Investigating more plant life.

Grandpa put the stroller to use as a water carrier! He's so smart!

We had a good rain shower or two..

and Kam discovered how fun it is to play in puddles! We can sit,

squat down and splash

see our reflection...

(Of course he's not trying to take a drink! He's merely gazing at his reflection!)...

and of course, run around and splash in them, and even better if some great uncles watch!

Story times...

beautiful walks...

Sticks and more sticks...

Time around the campfire with the exciting older folks...

and who knew that a Good Housekeeping magazine would be so entertaining?

New traditions begin and old ones continue on. Family and love and relationships and connections and memories made in God's beautiful creation are marvelous building blocks in a satisfying and contented life of joy and thankfulness. Can't wait till next summer!