a camping we will go

So, we finally were able to get away (for like 24 hours) and go camping. Perfect weather, seeing how Washington is stuck in the month of March... We headed our herd over to the Sol Duc Campground (which is pronounced, Sole Duck- for anyone wanting to sound native- thanks Johnsrud).

The kids loved the Sol Duc Hot Springs. Seriously, how could you not? Your choice of four different pools all at varying temperatures. It was great fun. And, of course, the smores- which Brads just liked the idea of all you can eat chocolate-, getting to sleep in a tent, having a fire outside, running around the moss covered trees, going hiking with their own backpacks. They were definitely loving the idea of camping.

Chris is not a real manly man, for anyone who knows him well :). So, he truly loves putting up a tent, building a fire, making breakfast outside, and, of course, anytime he can use his fanny-pack! All these help him bask in his manhood.

I, being the pregnant whale that I am, sleep soooo good when in the cool, night air. I absolutely love it. Unfortunately, I am also a little too much of a mom when it comes to making sure that the kids are not freezing to death while sleeping in a tent... so, as much as I love camping, I didn't seem to get a whole lot of sleep!

And, to top it all off, we ran into a few Russian women staying at the campground. It was neat to chat it up with them for a bit. Mostly, all we came away with is how extrememly expensive it is to live in Moscow. If I counted correctly, and I'd like to think that I did, she mentioned the expense of it about seven times in two minutes! Count us warned. Chris could converse a little bit (show-off), while I just stood smiling, pretending to understand it all!

I am Married!

Whew! Well, I can think of a few busy weeks in our lives, but this one is up there with some of the fullest. A little recap:

- Mommy went to DC (by herself!) for an orientation weekend with all the Olmsted Scholars for the class of '09
- Grandma and Papa came to visit for a week- part to babysit while I was in DC, and part to join up with Chris' boat for a dependant's cruise as it pulled into home
- We got to go watch Daddy's submarine come through the Hood Canal, and then wait for a number of hours to be able to go pick him up off the bus and finally bring him home!
- Lorenzo had his last day of preschool for the year with his bestest little buddies ever
- Lo and Brads finished soccer for the season with Dad as a teammate
- Chris was finally able to be home for a Father's Day

A lot in a little! I had a fabulous trip to DC. In what other environment do you have complete strangers come up to you and ask if they can stay at your house when you get to Moscow :) or ask to house swap once you're all in your designated countries? Unfortunately, Chris was still out on the sub, so he couldn't go with me, but I did leave the kids at home! It's an amazing adventure and a real honor to Chris to have been selected for this scholarship. We are all the more excited after having met others that get to do the same. It's just an added bonus that Chris won't go out to sea for the next three years!!!

So, Chris is home- yeah! Bradly and Lorenzo have been waiting for this week for some time (me, too!). Every prayer that Brads says ends with, "and thankful daddy can not go on the boat." She has a ritual every time he returns from sea- she won't let him out of her sight. It makes it real hard for Chris to go to the bathroom... but, how could you not love it. Lorenzo just has an agenda all prepared for him. One that begins and ends with playing the wii! All in all it's been a terrific week for our little fam. We couldn't be happier. It's a little taste of bittersweet as the kids finish things off with their friends. Preschool and soccer have been real helps for the both of them, especially with a life of constant change. Lorenzo has been so blessed with his little pals here in Washington- it'll be hard to leave. Bradly pretty much thinks that his friends are her friends, so I'm sure she'll feel her adjustment is just as hard. It is the story of our lives, tho. And, we are definitely ready for the next chapter! Here's to many more weeks like this... maybe not as crazy, but just as exciting. And ones in which I do have a spouse :)

A week with the Coders

How lucky are we that Auntie Val and Mandirae got to come spend some time with us. We are always up for company, especially when Chris is gone- gotta use whatever you can to help pass the time faster! The kids had such a blast. They repeatedly got a kick out of Auntie Val, since she talks and acts so much like their Gramme. And Rae had a laptop and an Ipod that was on constantly just for the kids. They had her playing Thomas and Elmo all week. It was so much fun to have them here.

Mand and Brads listening to Fraggle Rock.
Lorenzo's new obsession with Thomas and Friends.

Auntie Val painting Bradly's squishy little toes.

"Mom, I want her to do it."- Bradly pointing to A. Val to paint her toes

"Hurry, I gotta get my sister!"- Bradly referring to A. Val

"Yeah, that's okay, you can take her."- Lorenzo telling Rae it's alright to take Bradly home with them.

"You sound like my Gramme."- Lorenzo talking to A. Val

What a joy to have little munchkins. Thanks for visiting Coders- we love you!