Family Vacation... Part 3 of 3

The Chouinard children went surfing.

Three amigas.

Four amigos.

                                                                        Fresh!

Hannah holding a starfish.

Hannah and Mary.

Petting Leopard Sharks!

 Lily and Mary petting sharks too!

Ann

The shark was hungry and ate us up.

 We had an up close seal and sea lion show.  It was awesome!  I bet Stacie got better pictures of it.

                                              
                                    
                                    
                                    

                               The looooong drive home.

Mr. Pilot and Mrs. Co-Pilot.

"No one needs a vacation more

than the person who just had one."
Ha!ha!ha!

It is hard to try to settle back into a routine, when the only routine right now is packing and cleaning.  Oh my, so much to do! But I am proudly not freaking out, just taking one day at a time.  I'm taking breaks and taking the kids to the beach and such. Today, after more chores and packing,  we're going on a 3 mile venture around town on foot, bikes, strollers and ripstick, down through the forest park we LOVE.  Then we have dinner and Chapel. 

Also a lot of co-ordinating to do for the boys to have some last hurrahs with their friends. I'm doing 2 sleepovers this week, all the boys will just have to sleep among the boxes. I'm sure they'll make some kind of fort or something.  Of course.. I'll be making Cinnamon Rolls.  Happy tummies make happy boys. (Plus I have a ton of butter and cream cheese I need to use up before we move) 

May God bless you richly this day! 

He is so very good and faithful.



Family Vacation... Part 2 of 3

We did the trails at Trees of Mystery.

Paul Bunyan and Baby the Blue Ox.  Paul Bunyan talks and moves his hand and head now!  He answers questions and calls after children.  He asked us  if we were a field trip.  We said no, family.  Then he asked us how many families.  We said 2.  He said he liked our big families.  Then he called after little Jacob.  The kids had a blast asking him all kinds of questions. 

Paul giving Elijah a pep talk about the tram that goes up 500 ft.

Up at the top.   We made it!

Driving thru the tree wasn't nearly as exciting as watching Stacie drive thru the tree!

She did great!  And I never laughed so hard in my life listening to Steve and Stacie go back and  forth. 

They got the job done!  Great teamwork!!

~

The kids did LOTS of swimming. 

~

In 3 1/2 days we...

went to the beach (2x)

went to a Lighthouse

tidepooled

went out to Pizza, Chinese, Thai

drove to see wild Elk

played hard in the hotel backyard

played in the hotel fountain

visited and talked.

Gave thanks to God for our wonderful time together, for great weather, safe traveling

and marveled in His Creation!

Milk and cookies to finish the day.

Click HERE to see my friend, Stacie's, blog on our vacation. 

She got some really great pictures.

Family Vacation.... Part 1 of 3

I've been around... but always this is my favorite spot in the world! 

I LOVE the Redwood Forest and combine that with our favorite family friends... what could be better???

We stayed the first night of our 8 hour journey in the cottage at the most beautiful ARC ever.  Ann and I always go on and on of how this cottage is our dream house.  It really is! 

We saw wild Elk on our drive up.

Our good friends have 6 children.  We only have 5.  That's 11 children between us, aged twelve and under.  Like I say, there is someone for everyone when we're with the Browns.  It was SO very good to see them again.  My heart feels refreshed (thank you Stacie!)  and I'm so glad to keep the kids connected with a like-minded family.  We've really missed them since moving from The Dalles.   You can visit her blog to see their vacation too.

The eldest boys, David and Joshua.  

Our mini caravan.

Throwing rocks in the river.

The big kids.

The offspring.

These two, Hannah and Jacob,  are a month apart in age. 

They were not happy I made them take a picture together.

Mary loves her apples, even in the Redwood Forest.

How many Chouinard can you fit in a Redwood Tree?

Of course, there's always room for more!

This picture cracks me up!  Stacie and I climbed up the tree in the previous photos.  Then I'm telling (yelling at) Paul how to take the picture and Stacie's cracking up at me, because what's the point anyway!  Paul's going to take it how HE wants! LOL!!

The children look like little ants compared the gigantic Redwood Trees.

Hannah taking a little break, Mary trying to figure out how to get up there too.

More Meals and Updates

I know, you'd think all we ever do around here is eat. 

It feels like it sometimes. 

I think when they say "A woman's place in the kitchen" isn't some kind of sexist remark. 

It's just generally

the place that a woman always seems to be ;) 

Weekday mornings are cereal. Hot or cold.  On the weekends is hot cooked breakfast.  Here is Elijah's favorite- french toast with maple syrup and powdered sugar, and turkey bacon.

A man who's out to give his wife a break belongs in the kitchen too.  Smile.  Paul fixed breakfast the other morning so I could finish packing for Men's Camp.  I have myself a good man.  Thank you Lord!

Home-made whole wheat croutons.  Cube up some bread.  Toss with butter or olive oil (or both), garlic, maybe some parmesan cheese and other seasonings you like.  Broil for about 10 minutes.

Salad we brought over to friends house. 

Chocolate Chip cookies for the family and the ladies in our program. I try to bring treats when I lead Bible Study. I know I listen better if I have a cookie stuffed in my mouth ;)  I'm going to make brownie bites for tonight.

Always make a double or triple batch of cookie doughs.  Put it in the freezer for fresh cookies anytime.

I am looking forward to moving where the grocery prices are better.  We've really taken a hit living in San Francisco.  That plus private school.  OUCH!!

            Mary watching Daddy shave.

We went to ARC Men's Camp this weekend.  I've never seen so many tattoos in my life!  LOL!  Besides playing around, my favorite part was sitting in on a Bible Study that was encouraging and convicting.  When I see myself in the light of God's holiness, it's no wonder that God would've sent a forgiving Savior even if it was for just only me.  I need one the most. 

Next week is ARC Women's Retreat which I am looking forward too.  The women who come out of their addictions and live a fruitful and productive life are truly my heroines.   God's grace abounds in them and you can see it.  He so loves them.

We have finally met all of our SALT Volunteer hour requirements for the boys' school.  I was calling them "slave" hours towards the end!  Above are more pies I baked.    

The boys are out of school for today, so besides unpacking, catching up on chores, and preparing for Bible Study,  we have a Monoply Game to play....   until victory or death.