Rafting??

With all the beach trip talk I just wanted to run one other idea by you all. If you wanted to do something fun and different we could do a family rafting trip instead. You can click on the Rafting title above to get a link to one of the companies (there are a ton out there). But anyhow, they do single day trips that run from:
All Day per adult /per child (14& under)
Weekday $65 /$55
Saturdays (June-Aug) $80 /$65
Sundays/Holiday $75 /$65

They also do two day trips where you camp in between. And if we have 12 or more they will take off $5 per person per day.
They have a web special for 2 days that would be about $2000 for everyone for 2 days with all meals and camping site included. The youngest kids (tuck, Gabe and India) should ride with the guide but the rest of us could follow the guides lead.

For a cheaper 2 day route you can rent a guide and raft for 2 days and then you can rent one other raft and a couple 2 person inflatable kayaks for about $1000. You have to provide all your own food and feed the guide. I know Jenn and Brian have a couple that are a bit too young to go but maybe we could take turns rafting/babysitting or something. And if you didn't want to do an overnight thing we could go the cheap route and just do a one day trip for about $755 for everyone (and maybe Brian's folks would babysit for a night??)
Sound fun to anyone??

Upcoming summer dates

OK, I want to know what dates are already taken this summer for events so I can plan some of my own things.

-I heard that the Shull reunion was the first week in August, is this true?? Did anyone find out about the group campsite at Seaquest State Park for the reunion?? I would definitely chip in for that if it is available.
-I heard the Deans would be at a Dean reunion the last week in August.
-We were thinking about our tennis/bbq/x-box party around the 2nd or 3rd week in August.

Anything else I forgot??

New Dishwasher

Well we finally gave up on our old dishwasher. It was going on 20 years old and became so noisy that we had to yell to eachother when it was running. So we finally put it to rest and got ourselves a new super-duper consumers best buy kenmore dishwasher. It took a couple of tries before we got it just right (and not leaking water). It runs so quiet that I don't even notice it is going.

Jenn, Brian and the girls came over for dinner. It was nice to see them with their kids growing so fast and all. Kalena is getting quite big and is at the 100% percentile of length Jenn said. She is a sweet happy baby and says she likes her Aunt Mel the best. Emma was also a very good girl, entertaining herself the whole time. She did great right up until the end when she had fun rubbing ice cream all over her arms.

Brian went and checked out my chickens for me. It turns out we have one rooster and two hens. We heard a soft cock-a-doodle this morning and suspected out three hens where not what they seemed. Brian even showed me how to feel their hip bones to see if they were laying or not (mine are not). Ada has some big abscess/swelling in the back of her mouth. If it isn't gone in the morning we will have to do a visit to the vet. She has the stinky breath going so she will probably need some antibiotics at the very least.

That is all for my updates for now- Mel

I'm posting

I don't have much, but Mel said just post. So...we are heading to Mom and Dad's this weekend. I think we'll go to Oaks Park on Saturday if anyone would like to join us. We could picnic and do the rides/bumper car thing. I don't know if we'll pick up Anita before or after this event, but we will see her this weekend. She just turned 19 and is in her own studio (yeah!) and is working for T-mobile which pays well and has benefits after 120 days.
India and Tuck passed their swimming test. India is now onto level 3 with Christian, and Tuck spazzed his way to level 2.

I'm working on the before and after shots of my beautiful front yard...birthday gift compliments of my parents. They rototilled, added soil, planted shrubs and flowers and this cool river-rock decoration all with a non-sliver type bark over it all. Very classy. I'm hoping for a repeat- perhaps the side of my house next year. So far everything is growing. Greta is scheduled to come home next Friday to give Mom and Dad time to fix or mourn their yard/garage damages. Kids, grandkids, granddogs, who knew the constant energy and patience required to keep a family together??

We love our van and I especially appreciate the DVD and wireless headsets.

Tennis - I think I've improved, but I'm most excited about my new little tennis skirts and tops. I believe a person should be able to hit the ball 90% of the time to wear a skirt, otherwise you just look silly. So Greyson, Tim, and Dad, I think you've earned your right. Somewhere I bet their some Scottish/Irish history in you. Embrace your masculinity, paint your face and wear a skirt.

Sherbert and Sam are great cats. yes, that's 4 felines. Better than 2 dogs any day. If my house starts smelling like the humane society pleace broach the subject.

Traci

Tennis than bbq THEN x-box.

So I am proposing a morning tennis tourney followed by afternoon bbq followed by x-box play for a weekend in August. Greyson has finals week on the 8th so I propose either the weekend of the 13th or 20th. How would that work for the rest of you? I am going to be babysitting Emma and Kalena tomorrow for a couple hours so I will run those dates by Jen to see if they are available to come play one of those weekends.

Traci, Greyson and I played some tennis last night. After a couple of matches we did a kind of queen of the court drill which kept us sprinting (jogging really) after balls and then back on the court to play. I was impressed with Traci's improvement after just 3 lessons. If we all keep practicing we could have some real rallies going by August. I have a new 2 handed backhand that I am working on and my serve is starting to become consistent. Next I will try to add some speed to both skills.

New Name

Mel,

I really like the new name you have chosen for the Blog. It seems appropriate, although maybe the Greyson, Melanie, Traci Blog would be a little more accurate of the true participants. With a possible minor acknowledgment to Jan. Otherwise, nice job.

I would hate to speak out of turn for my beautiful bride, but I do believe that Traci and I would be up for some tennis sometime in August. Sorry it can't be sooner but with school and all I will not be available until then.

Greyson, how goes life on the hill. I am also ready for another tournament of some sort in August. Let me know.

Tim

Tennis anyone??

I just wanted to let you all know that Greyson and I have been playing tennis and are expecting a summer tournament at some point in the next couple months. We have a nice court up here with 2 nets. There is a park nearby for kids (or they could be our ball kids if they prefer. We could play all morning and then hit the river for some swimming in the afternoon.

I have been working on a two handed backhand and a consistent serve. I hit 3 balls out of the court yesterday but at least I was being aggressive, right?? Traci, do you have any tips to give us from your tennis lessons? I would love to know some real techniques.

Rockets red glare....

Greyson and I enjoyed a nice small town fireworks show at Cascade Locks yesterday. The show was fun bet we got there around 7:30 and the show didn't start until after 10. People watching entertained us for a hour or so, but the last hour before the show started was really dragging. But it was fun regardless. What did you all do for the 4th??