Desert Adventures Part Three

Grand Canyon (9th state)
Horseshoe Bend
3:08 time
230 of 791 total runners

32 of 106 in my age division (30-39)

111 of 516 all female

14 miles total

1650 ft. in elevation

Waking up this morning meant packing up the tent and loading the car completely. Addi and I had already packed the suitcases the night before so it was a matter of rolling up bags by lanterns light.  The challenge is getting out of your sleeping bag into the low forty temperatures to dress and get going. I was so proud of Addison for rocking the runners tent life.

Once again, we were met with sludge for coffee and I'm thankful I packed a few Starbuck Via's to make my few sips go down a little easier. There was an overall sigh being this was the last day of the race, but also community tenderness in everyone's steps. I love the enthusiasm that greeted runners and overall spirit of community in base camp. Even though there are hundreds of people you start to recognize faces after a few days. I was entertained hearing where everyone was from and finding out their own running journey. Many of the participants had never ran on trail, elevation over five hundred feet or miles past double digits. I can't imagine how sore every joint and muscle would be without the training I committed to do. 

We again had to drive a distance to the shuttle parking lot near the start line. Addison really wanted to watch me start a race so she snuck in the shuttle rather than waiting this time for the spectator shuttle. With everyday, the start line opened up at seven thirty and then became a rolling start as the runners made their way to the line. This benefited the race congestion especially since many trails were single track. 

{ Waiting for the shuttle bus and blessed with this incredible sunrise. #nofilter }

{ State #9 done. }

{ Day three begins... }

Today's race made for my ninth state as I ran in Arizona near Horseshoe Bend. Originally, the course had all runners going ten miles. With the threat of rain later in the morning and the past few days rain, the Waterslot Canyons proved too dangerous to have all of us crazies trampling up and down a ladder into the skinny canyons. The pictures looked amazing so I was a little disappointed, but grateful I didn't have to swim my way out if a flash flood arrived. That said, the new course added an additional two miles to the final day race. In reality, it turned out to be fourteen miles on the most 

technical surface I've ran on ever. 

Think of fragile crepes, layered fifty thick and not being sure if they are secure enough to put your weight on... this is just a little of what I ran on. Layers of thin sand harden making the surface never flat or level and then add in seven miles of soft beach canyon sand. Parts of the out and back course (there was zero trails just markers to keep you from getting lost) forced you into skinny rock formations that had you scaling down and back up on the way back. Only one person at a time could pass. Absolutely crazy. 

The Grand Canyon by far gave me the most challenge physically and emotionally. The view did not in fact disappoint which kept me running and also knowing the finish line was miles away pushed me to keep running. 

{ A success just to keep the pink ribbon in view while navigating the terrain. }

{ What went down, must climb back up. }

Boys Only Hiking Adventures

{ Mason, Charlie, Uncle Ryan & Kalen. }

This past Christmas Grandpa Doug gifted each grandson a hiking backpack with the
promise of taking them all on an overnight trip.
Charlie was so excited and prepared for this backpacking overnight. Tim helped get his pack all set up with protein snacks, cushion to sleep on, cool gadgets and, bonus, Mom's old trail runners that fit the Man Cub to perfection. The pack was ready a couple days before and the hiker was up two hours before Grandpa Doug picked him up. Excited, giddy, ready to explore and spend quality time with his cousins.
Thankfully, the smoke hadn't settled too much but still cast haze and pink sunrises from a distance. The boys had a great time! Games of hide and seek, swimming and attempts at becoming a photographer filled Charlie's time at Lake Ann.
He's now ready to start planning the next years trip with Tim.
Thank you Grandpa Doug for the gift of quality time and investing into our Man Cub.

{ Views on the way to the campsite. }

{ Exploring the grounds. }

{ I can't imagine what the truck smelled like on the way back from hot, sweaty feet. }

A Little Family Fun

Every Christmas my parents gift us a family trip somewhere local or out of state. This years trip was camping at the Birch Bay State park for a few nights. 

What I loved most was in case we forgot something, our home was all but thirty minutes away. Such little stress went into packing this year even with little feet supplying baby food, diapers and bottles to keep things pleasant. 

The kids loved exploring on the beach for crabs and shells and up at camp riding through the bike jumps. Charlie and Talan were curious burning sticks and creating smoke trails. Addison was all about beating the unlucky one at a game of Rummy while Myriam and Ashlyn chilled in the popular hammock reading books and telling stories.

Thankfully, all six of us slept great even with a couple midnight bottle calls. Myriam learned a few lessons about consequences and lost her opportunity to go to the water slides and the C Shop. Hard times for little minds, but there must be follow through regardless of the fun to be had.

Uncle Jason and Aunt Lindsay took off in the morning to the water slides with Charlie while the rest of us trickled in once the sun popped through the clouds. The water was still quite cold which I quickly found out on my double ride down the river with Charlie. Brrr.

Nana kept Miss Bee cozy after splashing in the pool and loving it. Back at camp, Tim took Myriam for a walk through the forest and enjoyed some down time. Melissa and Michaela joined us for the day and later Mickey smiled her way into staying overnight. Yep. We piled all seven of us into the Lazy Daze 

and slept surprisingly peacefully. 

The most entertainment came after we stopped on our way out to pump the tanks of our bodies natural goodness. Everything was fine until we went to start the Lazy Daze back up and found nothing to be cranking. A quick call to Dad and an hour later of trying to fix something turned into the two little ladies and Mommy catching a ride home while the rest of the team stayed behind. It wasn't until I left that I thought about the locked up house and left behind house keys. Thankfully, not all windows were locked and no alarms went off. The other half of the team managed just fine walking to grab burgers for lunch and eventually making it back home. 

A team effort in unpacking and getting laundry going left all showered, smelling fresh and happy beds to rest in. 

Thank you Papa and Nana for another great trip and many memories for the books!

{ Charlie & Talan exploring for critters. }

{ Hundreds of pinching friends. }

{ Myriam & Ashlyn smashing shells. }

{ A sensory playground: sand, shells, rocks & water. }

{ Camp Life: hammock win. }

{ Addison & Auntie Traci getting competitive. }

{ Nap time...these two paused for almost two hours. }

{ Splish Splash it's a campers bath...}

{ Miss Bee loved splashing in the shallow pool.}

{ C Shop evening sugar highs. }

{ Our attempt to contain our mobile one. }

{ Addison was all about the win. }

{ From kites to fire the kids kept busy. }

{ That's not right. }

{ Still smiles after waiting for the mechanic & busting into my own home. }

Let Freedom Ring & Apples Pop Into Pieces

{ Happy Fourth of July }

This year was quite low key as we celebrated the Fourth of July. 

We had a lazy morning around the house, then made our way to my parents for dinner and some experiments. I clearly remember as a young girl having my Dad put gun powder in a hole in the center of our cul-de-sac and making a ball of fire go up into the sky. I'm sure now it would appear like a small after thought, but as a young child it was HUGE. Dad was always into blowing stuff up and seeing what type of reaction he could get from me and my siblings. 

So, when our kids asked if Papa would help them blow some apples up he was quick to dart outside, socks and all, and assist in the fun. 

After dinner and some black cats as well as cleaning up the apple mess, we headed home to put the littles to bed on time and attempt to sleep through the boom and bangs of the celebratory community. 

Here's a little slice of the fourth adventures...

{ Apples Pre-Papa Experiment }

{ Preparing the apples for the black cats. }

 { The experiment. The victim. The lone apple. }

{ Get ready to run...}

{ Let Freedom be celebrated and go BOOM! }

 { The end result. }

 { The kids taking cover from more of Papa's loud fireworks. }

{ Papa in his socks teaching Myriam to light poppers. }

Whatcha Up To?

The month of June quickly slipped past us and July has yet to 

prove itself any slower. 

June began as school studies came to an end. Addison and Charlie enjoyed a morning with their classmates at the Mp3 Field day saying goodbye to their teachers and friends. Many of Addison's friends will be attending a different school next year so it was bittersweet. Charlie will be attending an all new school as well saying goodbye to home school and hello to traditional classrooms. 

Addi shared an afternoon with her girlfriends celebrating the year's end, Myriam swam with her bus buddies at Homestead and all the kids were able to swim again at a Mp3 pool party. I don't remember having such parties like this when I was their age, but I'm so grateful for the friendships the kids have made. 

{ School Friends: Noah, Kayden & Lydia. }

Myriam completed her first year at Lynden Middle School Intermediate Preschool and loved every minute of it. From the bus to and from school and all the activities and one on one help...the routine has been missed greatly this summer and we look forward to next year. This program has done wonders for Myriam and we look forward to see even more progress next year. We can't say enough good things about this program. 

 { Favorite Bus Driver: Miss JoAnn. }

 { Tea Parties with Great Grandma Broersma "Cookie Grandma" }

{ Lunch Date with cousins, Papa & Uncle Jason. }

The first weekend of June we enjoyed a balcony view of the Farmer's Day Parade. We nibbled on snacks from The Mill and witnessed Lynden making history with the longest strawberry shortcake display. Myriam was camping with Papa and Nana at Deception Pass and missed all the sizzling hot commotion. We saw many red faces and sun kissed shoulders from a top the Windmill!

Tim and I were able to get away to Whistler for a few nights to catch up on sleep, relax and play while all our kids were cared for with much love by others. We ate ourselves through the village and had an afternoon on the ski chairs riding the gondola from Peak to Peak even catching glimpses of black bears below us. 

The older three kids went south to support Auntie Traci as she got her special medicine and Miss Bee played with C & K for the 

weekend receiving lots of snuggles. 

The following weekend we packed the Suburban with our little ladies and headed to the Vancouver Aquarium with Melissa and Michaela. I wish we had more time to spend in Stanley Park walking around, playing in the spray park and exploring the beach. We'll have to save it for another day!

Charlie was exploring the natural aquarium on the Knot So Fast with Papa and Uncle Jason at Sucia Island. Charlie and his cousin were exhausted from hiking, exploring the beaches, playing games of hide and seek and eating like King's. I could tell by the smell that Charlie had a grand time. 

Myriam attempted to have some fillings, or as she calls them jewels, done at Dr. G's, but it turns out the laughing gas was not quite strong enough for our busy one. We go back in August and have the real deal in order to fix a few mishaps in her mouth. The true challenge comes prior to the appointment as she's not allowed to eat or drink from midnight before until noon the next day. I'll be needing some covering of intense prayers August 19th, as we try again for "jewels" in her mouth. 

Charlie completed another year of swim lessons with Teacher Shannon. His skills have much improved and we are excited to see Shannon's talent impress Myriam as she starts her swim journey in August.

{ Rainy Day Roller Fun. }

Last week the kids enjoyed Day Camp at NCCTK. Addi volunteered with the pre-school crafts and had many adorable stories from remarks made by the little ones.  Her favorite was from a little boy who kept eyeing her and finally said, "Hey you, you young lady! I like your bracelets." He again told her on the last day how he really liked her bracelets... She was puzzled at first, but quickly realized he meant her braces! This was Myriam's first year at Day Camp, but it proved too much stimulation and noise for our little one. She stayed home with Miss Bee and Mommy the rest of the week. 

{ Charlie, Myriam & Michaela ready for the Cave Quest Camp. }

Charlie made some new friends, Todd and Tyler, as their daddy just moved to Lynden and started working at Elements. We had a great time entertaining them after camp playing outside games, showing them the creek, cooling off with Otter Pops and getting to know them better. We can't wait to see them again!

{ Pre- Camp Hot Chocolate at Wood's. }

My girlfriend and mentor was in town and I was able to celebrate her birthday and visit a bit before she headed back to her sandy beaches in Kona and checking in on the families from Chosen & Dearly Loved. I love watching Catherine talk about her "job" because nothing that is apart of God's will is work. She is extremely passionate about the families she meets with, supports and advocates for the orphans coming into their forever families. 

{ Selfie's with the ladies. Miss Bee loves the camera. }

This weekend we walked through the Raspberry Festival tasting JP's BBQ and the famous bowls of ice cream and berries. Tim and Addison were up early as they prepared a few rooms to be previewed at The Mill Inn & Bistro. Addi has been Tim's sidekick working at the hotel and loves to be of help with whatever Daddy asks her to do. Later the two of them toured the activities on Front Street as I took the other three home to decompress. 

{ Myriam dancing to the beat. }

So, there you have it. A quick run-down of what we've been up too. Next week brings more craziness before we set out to do some family camping at 

Birch Bay State Park. 

Summer is passing by fast so keep up the pace and enjoy!