Lavender Camping

Since we didn't make our yearly stop at the Lavender Festival in Sequim in July, we decided Wednesday that we would head out there and camp, pick some lavender and experience potty training a toddler in the "wilderness". We had more fun than I could have imagined... and more cloth diaper and training pants to clean in the faucet as well! Shhh... don't tell the other campers...

First potty stop on a side street off the highway. Great fun being in charge of Myra and eating a banana whilst trying the potty seat in the great outdoors.Myra, not looking to happy she was left in the hands of a not-yet-2 year old. We nervously perused the campground looking for a spot. There was nothing, but a young couple looking a bit like they were packing things up, so we set up some chairs to save the spot and were off to the trail along the bluff for a snack, some wish blowing and some playing in the rocks and sticks... "Eskimo sticks", that is. (Don't ask, we're still not sure what she is talking about)
Those were some hard wishes to make! Drew had to help out a bit...


The posts are backwards... we actually did a loop around the camp area first in the post below, but later drove up to Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Forest. It was a long, winding drive for all weary travelers, only to stay for 15 minutes at the top, but the view was worth it. It looked like the Sound of Music scenes... there was a meadow just over the rock wall - beautiful, even if we didn't exactly stop to take it all in.

Eskimo sticks

Drew asked Emma to give me a kiss, and the little monkey came after me with her TONGUE! She hasn't done that since she was tiny! Of course we LAUGHED, so she wouldn't stop coming after me... She thought it was hilarious.On our way back from watching the sunset, Myra was walking with Drew in front of me and I said, "Myra stop walking like that" and Emma said -(no joke) - "Myra stop walking like that, you a old lady who lived in a shoe".



Potty-Time again Saturday morning...and snack time in the tent.I went to open the back of the Volvo in the morning and the ONLY key we brought - BROKE OFF. We kind of stood around for a while wondering what to do. Drew called 411 for Locksmiths, but the ones he got a hold of only did lock-outs on the weekend, but they could be there MONDAY morning.... um, hmmm... we were running low on clean cloth diapers, no ice in the cooler, and limited walking trails to entertain us for 2 more days.

We walked toward the camp-host... no signs of them. Actually no sign of them at any time during our stay just their camper and a car. Real helpful. We walked toward the ranger station...and saw a PHONE BOOK hanging off the public phone!! Drew flipped through as Emma and I played with "mama and baby" rocks. I heard Drew murmur, "You've got to be kidding". The "Locksmith" pages were ripped out. I saw Emma stand still in the midst of her playing. I knew she was up to something... so I carried her back to the campsite careful not to smush anything in her pants. I still don't know how he got a hold of someone... I was busy cleaning messy pants. He found someone who would be there in the afternoon... ahhhh.... thank GOD!

So, this is us waiting around. Practicing our poses. And coloring.

After we got the new key and followed the locksmith to the bank to pay him, we (got coffee for me) and drove around a bit while Emma took a snooze. We bought a map and noticed a park we had never been to down on the water. We had a picnic on the rocky beach and Emma made her way down to the water. We both thought she would be busy playing in the rocks the whole time (she loves to "pick rocks"), but she spent about an hour playing in the water with seaweed. It was so much fun watching her play! I still can't believe she loves playing with slimy seaweed in rather cold water, but is terrified of a warm shower. Go figure.

After the beach we headed to a Lavender farm we went to the year I was pregnant...there were very few people there - it was great. We cut a whole lavender plant for $12!! That's about 9 bundles, and they are normally $5/bundle! Can you tell we love Lavender?? Emma does too. She calls it "Yav-a-ber". SO cute when she says it.

She was pretty pleased with her bundle.



Sorry for the repeat pic, can't figure out how to get it off....

We then got a "special treat" which always equals ICE CREAM to our family!
The best fire we have had EVER. We can't ever seem to manage much of a blaze, but we made it happen this trip. Note the diapers drying on the bench. Drew was making warm apple sauce for Em...
We read stories by the fire and sang her to sleep by the fire. It was great to sit and listen to Drew sing(!) by the fire. There is something so peaceful about a sleeping child. She was OUT.



She didn't wake up until about 8a.m. Sunday, which is longer than she usually sleeps! She doesn't look like it, but she was ready to GO! We decided to go for a walk and try to spot some dear. Emma has a book that my brother and sister-in-law got her for Christmas about a fawn in the woods. She was very excited to see one!!

Walking and looking.

We spotted a couple, but no babes.
"back to the campsite" is what she would say when she saw our tent and car... and back to playing with "Eskimo sticks" - still wondering about that one.




BLUEBERRIES!!! TONS of HUGE blueberries! We went back to the lavender farm that also had berries and other produce. I forgot the camera in the car, so I didn't get any of the massive clumps hanging off the bush, (or the powerful poo Em had while we were out there) but took a few when we got back to the car.... we need a bigger freezer. DELICIOUS!! Emma liked the green ones - oddly enough. We had to cut her off, as we had quite a drive and a ferry ride ahead of us and our diaper supply was dwindling.

The Ferry... we love the ferry.


Almost home....





I'll try to delete this one and get a better video of her playing up soon....

"Our summer vacation": First berry-picking

We didn't end up buying much, because she kept eating them... she was pretty good at picking them though. And picking them out of OUR boxes. She LOVES blueberries
Mid-boysenberry picking... a little messier.
(insert laughter)... my serious farmers.
Post-berry picking...now full-on berry EATING!! She surprized me when she liked the raspberries the best. We had to position the crates out of reach in the car, because she would have eaten herself sick.

Our Summer "Vacation": Part I

Thought I would try to update a little on the ol' blog... I'll be brief until I get to more recent events...

Emma LOVES loves loves water fountains.... this one is of her first time at a Miller park near our new home. It is pretty powerful(!) and she can't get enough of it. My brother's wedding was in July near Albany, Or.... the rehersal dinner was at a beautiful winery nearby... although Emma was a bit of a handful, we managed to have a great time and enjoy the view and company!! It was great to see Brian and Amanda, spend time with family and friends...
We decided it would be better for all if Emma had a nap at the hotel the day of the wedding (since she was in it!) So we kept to ourselves, enjoyed some coffee and a stroll in the nearby park, and watch some baby ducks and geese with em. Drew was pointing out the babies to em here.
Ah, potty training... I decided to go get some undies for her (which we aren't using now - just running around "nakey buns" as emma says). She looks so old in this pic without a huge diaper on:)
A little out of order... on our drive back from the wedding we went to Corvalis for lunch and of course, had to hit the water fountain! My goofey litte runner. Drew says she runs like me. I hope not.