Memorial Day Camping 2010

We went on, what has become, our annual Memorial Day

Weekend Lee Soptich Family camping trip last weekend. We went to Fish Hook Park, which took FOREVER to get to - especially with the traffic (6 hours) and all but I guess that's just part of the package deal. We avoided rain for the most part, and had a lot of fun.
We have a new (to US) truck which has an extended cab, but when you're used to having a full bench seat to yourself (like in the suburban) it seemed a little squishy, so at our stop in Yakima for gas and trailer toilet paper, Nellie and Chad hopped in the back and sported the lounge chairs for the rest of the trip :). It brought back memories from my childhood riding in the back of our truck (gem top canopy with a seat against the cab facing backwards) on camping trips. The windows on the canopy are dark so it all worked out and they were a lot happier.

Here's Chad - it was a little chilly at times, can you tell? ")

Nellie and Chad kickin' back . . . with Lee's percolator on the fire

We had a movie night in Grandma and Grandpa's trailer one night

While the guys were playing hearts they put the little video TV outside so the kids could watch it

Notice not only the percolator, but also the jiffy pop on the fire - "Jiffy Pop, Jiffy Pop, the magic treat, as much fun to make as it is to eat". Lee can't resist things like this for the Grand kids - sometimes I have to roll my eyes, but it really was a fun thing to do.

Nellie with Emilee and Paul's 4th daughter

Emilee and Kaisa

Chad got caught up on some rest

Addison going for a walk

On a dare of course

Lucy being thoroughly mortified because of having to wear her "gentle leader" . . how embarrassing!!!

The kids still went swimming. Paige looking like Nemo

Addison in her Bay Watch swimsuit

The hot dog roast

Loves for Uncle Chad

Most everyone played Ghost in the Graveyard one night in the dark and had a lot of fun. We had a couple of great potlucks/hot dog roast, roasted "smarshmallows" (as Braden says), and were parked by some train tracks so every time we'd hear the whistle blow the kids, and some of the big people, would go running down to see the train. We went for walks, played at the park and with the 3 dogs, threw the football around, went swimming, the kids rode bikes, Kaisa did a little studying, and all in all it was a very good time. PS notice Kaisa and Billy's tent with what Kaisa calls their white trash refrigerator (vs. a ice chest) on the table. Tyson and Calley's family were at Disneyland, and Scott couldn't get the time off work. I hope our little tradition continues for years to come :).

Oh Happy Day!!

Yes sirree - it FINALLY happened; Tyson graduated from Law School today!!! The ceremony was held at the Key Arena.
Sarah and Scott came with us

Here he is coming in, looking up to the right for his fan club (7th from the front/4th from the back)

There's his graduating class - there's a video below of Tyson actually being "hooded" so make sure to check that out. I can never seem to get those darn videos where I want them.

Summer was the first to hug her Dad - Awww, she's so proud ")

Luke

Luke decorating Tyson with candy and flower leis

Keith

Sarah

Dad

The decorated graduate

Things are always a bit crazy during things like this so cameras were flying all over the place - sorry this is a bit fuzzy "~

The Redd's

The happy HAPPY family

Afterwards some of us went to Red Robin to celebrate which is always a treat. We're so happy for Tyson, Calley and kids. CONGRATS Tyson, we're proud of you. YOU MADE IT!!!

Spring Break and a quickie trip up to Ensign Ranch

This week is our Spring Break. Jen and kids were heading up for an overnighter in a family cabin @ Ensign Ranch, so Nellie and I decided to go too! We had a lot of fun. We went for walks, played on the rope swing, performed on the stage, fed carrots & apples to the horses and bread to the ducks, played UNO, and watched The Squeakuel and Alice in Wonderland. It was a great beginning to the break.
Gracie and Nellie up in a fort that we found

Tanner

Miss Gracie on the rope swing - she's an old pro on this thing!

Braden,

. . . and Nellie Sue!!

The kids and I got to play by the river for a bit while their Mom . . . helped things to grow in the forest :).

On a funny (somewhat off color) side note; after we got back, Braden headed out of the cabin to go the bathroom, and Jen told him that if he needed to . . . go . . "you know". . . that he had to go to the portapotty. He agreed. She went out to check on him and low an behold - WHOOPS A DAISY - he left some little "presents" by the side of the cabin - much to his Mom's dismay. Jen was feeling a little queasy at the thought of scooping up the treasures, so I thought I'd come to her rescue. When I looked at his "artwork", paper towels in hand, it made me laugh so hard I almost (as Grandma Barrett would say) "thoroughly embarrassed myself". No harm done - as soon as I was able to compose myself, we got it all taken care of - but it WAS pretty funny!!

This is Tanner showing me how to "perform" on the cool stage that we found. There were benches around this stage too - sort of an amphitheater, so Nellie and Gracie were running up and down the benches, and Gracie took a nasty fall. She had a colorful bruise to show for it this morning!! Of course this was very traumatic, so we half jokingly found her some "nature crutches", which ended up being used quite a bit! She IS her Mother's daughter :) and we truly love them both!!

Last night after the kids were all settled, Jen, Nellie and I played several rousing games of UNO. Here's Jen playing again this morning with her kids.

TOO cute to resist. I'm so proud of all my kids that are parents and the great job that they do. Thanks to Jen and kids for inviting us to come - we had a great time!

Please excuse the double videos - I meant to get one of Jen & Tanner on the rope swing, but I ended up with 2 of Braden instead and don't want to have to start all over again