Family Camping Trip '05

Landon was checking out our blog and noticed that I have been lazy about posting lately. We are having some great time just the two of us and he said he'd like to do a post. So, we looked through our pictures and he wanted to share our camping trip.

We have not camped since the summer of '05. Last year I was too lazy and wanted a restful weekend in a hotel. Overall it was fun, but nothing compared to our camping trips. So, for '07, it's camping here we come :)

Landon's favorite things about camping are: hiking, the wildlife, sitting around the campfire and roasting marshmallows.

Our favorite place to go is called Eagle Creek. It's only about 45 minutes from home and up in the mountains. It's also our favorite hiking spot. When we first started hiking there (before children) it seemed to be a spot that not many people knew about..now, it seems the whole world goes there. It is incredibly beautiful with a lot of waterfalls to look at and many trails to explore.
Last time we went, on our way up the windy road leading to the camp a baby bear jumped in front of our car. It was a beautiful bear but also a little frightening because I would assume that mama bear was not far behind. We did hear that mama and baby were also roaming around in the vicinity of the campground but we didn't see them again.

Pacific Northwest

This is too good..and, oh so true! I bolded my favorites!

You know you're from the Pacific Northwest When... (According To Jeff Foxworthy):

1. You know the state flower (Mildew).
2. You feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash.
3. Use the statement "sun break" and know what it means
4. You know more than 10 ways to order coffee.
5. You know more people who own boats rather than air conditioners.
6. You feel overdressed wearing a suit to a nice restaurant.
7. You stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" Signal.
8. You consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain.
9. You can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Veneto's.
10. You know the difference between Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon.
11. You know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Oregon, Yakima and Willamette.
12. You consider swimming an indoor sport
13. You can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food.
14. In winter, you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark- while only working eight-hour days.
15. You never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho.
16. You are not fazed by "Today's forecast: showers followed by rain," and "Tomorrow's forecast: rain followed by showers."
17. You have no concept of humidity without precipitation.
18. You know that Boring is a town in Oregon and not just a state of mind.
19. You can point to at least two volcanoes, even if you cannot see through the cloud cover.
20. You notice, "The mountain is out" when it is a pretty day and you can actually see it.
21. You put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 50, but still wear your hiking boots and parka
22. You switch to your sandals when it gets about 60, but keep the socks on.
23. You have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.
24. You think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists.
25. You buy new sunglasses every year, because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time.
26. You measure distance in hours.
27. You often switch from "heat" to "a/c" in the same day.
28. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit under a raincoat.
29. You know all the important seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Raining (Spring), Road Construction (Summer), Deer &Elk season (Fall).

Heaven's Newest Inhabitant

This is how I see her now. Holding James. It's how I cope, how I handle this deep sadness that seems to be taking over at times.


This is my great-grandma. Her name is Loleta Amanda Zumwalt. Kyleigh is named after her..Kyleigh Amanda. She is the amazing matriarch of our family, she was a mom, grandma, great-grandma, great-great grandma, aunt, sister and dear friend, but to me, she is Mammalee. My precious grandma. She was an amazing soul.


I had not allowed myself to even deal with her death until yesterday and at the funeral it hit, and it hit hard. And then I went to her home, and she wasn't there.


The day was too much to take in, but at the same time, so beautiful. So many people were there to honor her. She had such a servant heart and was willing to help out in any way she could. I believe she served her church by playing the piano every week for about 48 years. Can you believe that...48 years (or maybe it's 43). So many times I find myself not wanting to help once. Maybe I'm tired, maybe I've had a hard week..who knows what the reasoning is, but I'll think of some logical excuse, but she served faithfully for 48 years. She just quit about a year or so ago.


I am thankful for the family that I have, the amazing support we were all able to give each other and the stories that were told.


Mammalee, thank you for the letters, the endless hours at the piano, the stories, the hugs, knowing that when I walked into the room I was deeply wanted and deeply loved, the life lessons and the many, many memories. You will be missed, more than you could ever imagine.