Our family loves to camp in the summer time. When Colin was just 18 months old, we purchased a tent trailer from the Seattle RV show and we've been camping in style ever since. Normally the three of us will venture out into the wilderness, or to the comfort of a well-equipped state park, about 3-4 times during the season. This year it was not meant to be.
During the winter I had made reservations for various spots at some primo campgrounds, first securing a place for Memorial Day weekend and second, a site at the always hard to get into Lake Chelan State Park. Everybody was psyched to go. We even bought a pet tent for our dog Lani in order for her to experience camping first hand. Lani loves to go camping with us, as she get so much fresh air and exercise. Even Lani would have her hopes dashed.
Our first disappointment came on the three-day holiday weekend when Matt's Grandma got sick and we had to ditch our plans to camp on Whidbey Island. Our next failed attempt at camping came when I realized I had made reservations for the same weekend a good friend from college was getting married. We cancelled our third trip to the great outdoors when we were told that Matt's Grandfather was dying. Finally, we were forced to bail out on camping up north when we learned my truck developed a rear differential problem making it unsafe to tow the trailer. Not sure why, but someone of authority did not want the Woodwards to go camping.
So, what do you do when life hands you lemons? You make sour lemonade! Sour, of course, because I'd be kidding myself if I thought life would freely hand me the needed sugar to make it sweet. Since we kept having problems syncing our schedules with every one's health and nuptials, we decided to bring the camping experience, not only to a weekday, but to somewhere close by and doesn't require advanced reservations - our backyard. Hey, it even has a lot of mosquitoes to make it feel more authentic.
Matt & Colin pitched our seldom used tent and we adults both took turns spending one night a piece with Colin, since the tent only sleeps two comfortably. I probably could have squeezed in, except that Miss Lani, weighing in at about 75 pounds, wanted a piece of the action. Fortunately the warm night made it quite nice to sleep outside and no one needed the usual outer layer to keep warm. I didn't even wake up at the crack of dawn as a usually do when camping, and even Colin slept in until 9am. Good times!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
Summer's Almost Gone
Looking back at the end of June, I couldn't wait for summer to be over, dreading all that time alone during the day with child. Now, we're at the second week of August, and I really want to hit the breaks. I can't believe seven weeks has gone by like that! Don't get me wrong, I sill want school to start. However, there are a few things I'd like savor before the party's over, like the nice weather, swimming at the pool, BBQ'ing with friends, baseball games, golf and golf camp, sleeping in, campfires in the backyard, flip flops, drive-in movies, farmer's markets... I think I'm getting carried away!
One measure that we use to know that summer's end is drawing near is Seafair, Seattle's annual summertime festival held during the first full weekend of August. It is here that they host the hydroplane races on Lake Washington, but more importantly, the show we never miss, the Blue Angels.
Not only do we watch them perform on the weekend during the official airshow, Colin and I will also head down to Boeing Field during the week and watch their practices. Always a thrill to watch with their precision and prowess, my favorite maneuver being when either of the solo pilots does a low altitude fly-by which makes your whole body buzz with adrenaline. Colin and I have recently found favor with Fat Albert, the C-130 Hercules that opens the Blue Angels show with it's impressive JATO-Jet Assisted Take-Off. Fat Albert's engines are propeller, except that it has four rocket boosters strapped to each side of the fuselage, so when ignited the plane can climb over 1,000 feet in all of 4 seconds or so. It is so impressive to watch.
Only three more weeks of summer vacation left. The perfect amount of time to yet savor and not too much more to endure until school starts. I hope I can make it!
One measure that we use to know that summer's end is drawing near is Seafair, Seattle's annual summertime festival held during the first full weekend of August. It is here that they host the hydroplane races on Lake Washington, but more importantly, the show we never miss, the Blue Angels.
Not only do we watch them perform on the weekend during the official airshow, Colin and I will also head down to Boeing Field during the week and watch their practices. Always a thrill to watch with their precision and prowess, my favorite maneuver being when either of the solo pilots does a low altitude fly-by which makes your whole body buzz with adrenaline. Colin and I have recently found favor with Fat Albert, the C-130 Hercules that opens the Blue Angels show with it's impressive JATO-Jet Assisted Take-Off. Fat Albert's engines are propeller, except that it has four rocket boosters strapped to each side of the fuselage, so when ignited the plane can climb over 1,000 feet in all of 4 seconds or so. It is so impressive to watch.
Only three more weeks of summer vacation left. The perfect amount of time to yet savor and not too much more to endure until school starts. I hope I can make it!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Grandpa's Passing
The summer of emanate drama continues as we were recently dealt a low blow, not one that we weren't expecting, but one that still gave us that empty sinking feeling in the pit of our stomachs. Matt's Mom had called to let us know that Matt's Grandpa Jones passed away during the middle of the night. As much as it was a blessing, since in the past week he went down hill becoming gravely ill, we were still very saddened that his life was over. No more sweet laughs when Colin would do or say something funny or Saturday afternoon lunch of burgers and frosty's at Wendy's. He was such a good man, one that would immediately befriend you and shower you with great tales from both past and present.
Battling multiple myaloma for the last few years had taken it's toll, but Grandpa fought hard to keep active right up to the last few weeks of his life. Even after being offered hospice care and morphine, he did not want to leave this world still insisting that he not lie in bed all day. Despite that he had lived a full rich life, watched 3 great grandchildren grow up even seein one of them graduate high school, and knew his loving wife was impatiently waiting for him at the pearly gates, he stubbornly held on. His amazing zest for life and positive nature at 87 is a trait I long to have at 37.
Colin has done very well in accepting Grandpa's passing, possibly because we've been preparing him for this, but more likely it's due to his well grounded personality. For Matt, on the other hand, it hasn't been easy. Grandpa's death has hit him hard. Despite Matt living across the country, he and his Grandpa were very close, looking up to him as a role model in selflessness and humility. It also didn't help matters any that we just returned from his paternal grandmother's funeral in Kentucky in June. Now, like me, Matt has no grandparents left, one of those sobering and scary crossroads we come to in life.
Grandpa's Memorial - Tahoma National Cemetery Wednesday, August 15th, 2007
Since Grandpa served in the Army and fought in World War II, he was entitled to a memorial placard and military funeral service at Tahoma National Cemetery. This service was extremely memorable and quite moving reminding me of the importance of honoring all those who served our country regardless of politics and opinion. At the service they had three members of the VFW officiate and I was taken back by their inclusion of Gramps as a fellow comrade and their insistence of not forgetting the sacrifice he made.
Half way through the 30 minute ceremony, a 4 member color guard from the US Army folded the flag while the ever emotional Taps was played and then one of the guards presented it to Diana. A 21 gun salute was performed where 7 retired veterans shot 3 times, and we all got to keep a spent shell as a souvenir. The noise from the guns made me jump a mile high. I don't think I've ever been that close to riffles being fired. Fortunately, they prepared us in advance, so we could cover our ears if necessary.
Colin handled the service exceptionally well, not even doing his anxious breathing once. He came up with the idea to wear his Cub Scout uniform in order to honor Grandpa as a veteran. It was an incredibly heartwarming gesture and he looked absolutely handsome, enough to make his momma and his papa very proud indeed. I think everyone else who attended was just as impressed.
What a wonderful way to tribute such a beautiful person. I'm so glad the family was able to do this for Grandpa and it will be so nice to visit his memorial here, even though his ashes are to be buried by Grandma in Ohio. We will also be able to attend the special programs they have at the cemetery for both Veteran's Day and Memorial Day, and it will now have special meaning for us. Godspeed, Grandpa Jones! We love you!
Battling multiple myaloma for the last few years had taken it's toll, but Grandpa fought hard to keep active right up to the last few weeks of his life. Even after being offered hospice care and morphine, he did not want to leave this world still insisting that he not lie in bed all day. Despite that he had lived a full rich life, watched 3 great grandchildren grow up even seein one of them graduate high school, and knew his loving wife was impatiently waiting for him at the pearly gates, he stubbornly held on. His amazing zest for life and positive nature at 87 is a trait I long to have at 37.
Colin has done very well in accepting Grandpa's passing, possibly because we've been preparing him for this, but more likely it's due to his well grounded personality. For Matt, on the other hand, it hasn't been easy. Grandpa's death has hit him hard. Despite Matt living across the country, he and his Grandpa were very close, looking up to him as a role model in selflessness and humility. It also didn't help matters any that we just returned from his paternal grandmother's funeral in Kentucky in June. Now, like me, Matt has no grandparents left, one of those sobering and scary crossroads we come to in life.
Grandpa's Memorial - Tahoma National Cemetery Wednesday, August 15th, 2007
Since Grandpa served in the Army and fought in World War II, he was entitled to a memorial placard and military funeral service at Tahoma National Cemetery. This service was extremely memorable and quite moving reminding me of the importance of honoring all those who served our country regardless of politics and opinion. At the service they had three members of the VFW officiate and I was taken back by their inclusion of Gramps as a fellow comrade and their insistence of not forgetting the sacrifice he made.
Half way through the 30 minute ceremony, a 4 member color guard from the US Army folded the flag while the ever emotional Taps was played and then one of the guards presented it to Diana. A 21 gun salute was performed where 7 retired veterans shot 3 times, and we all got to keep a spent shell as a souvenir. The noise from the guns made me jump a mile high. I don't think I've ever been that close to riffles being fired. Fortunately, they prepared us in advance, so we could cover our ears if necessary.
Colin handled the service exceptionally well, not even doing his anxious breathing once. He came up with the idea to wear his Cub Scout uniform in order to honor Grandpa as a veteran. It was an incredibly heartwarming gesture and he looked absolutely handsome, enough to make his momma and his papa very proud indeed. I think everyone else who attended was just as impressed.
What a wonderful way to tribute such a beautiful person. I'm so glad the family was able to do this for Grandpa and it will be so nice to visit his memorial here, even though his ashes are to be buried by Grandma in Ohio. We will also be able to attend the special programs they have at the cemetery for both Veteran's Day and Memorial Day, and it will now have special meaning for us. Godspeed, Grandpa Jones! We love you!
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