L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial Park Camping

We went camping for the 1st trip of the camping season, back in April during Spring Break.

The destination: L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial Park in Oregon, about 40 minutes west of Portland.

We had a great spot: no immediate neighbors and right next to a playground area!

Looking down at our truck and trailer from the playground area.

Part of the playground! The boys had their own personal train to play on!

The campground is HUGE...approximately 2000 acres.

There were miles of trails for hiking, biking, running, and playing.



The boys on one of our hikes.

The campground even had an off-leash dog area for Gwen!

Levi playing fetch with Gwen.

 The boys spent 3 days playing, playing, and playing!

Levi on his 10,000th trip down the slide.

Alex and Levi digging in the gravel, while Gwen looks on.

Duncan got to relax.



 Best of all, we were only 30 minutes away from our friends in Beaverton, OR. We met them for dinner and an Oregon Timbers Soccer game. The boys were so excited, because we got to ride the commuter train into Portland!

Carpooling to the train station!

Alex and mommy at the soccer game.

This was by far the best trip in our camper. They boys didn't fight, there was no yelling, and everyone was on their best behavior.

The stars must have been in alignment for us!

We will definitely be going back to this campground.

Waiting....

I am very patiently waiting for the FedEx man to bring

me this:

The waiting is killing me. I can't wait to try the product

out & see if it really will make my hair do this:



It's been a long time...

Sometimes I wonder what I am doing wrong.

Some mom's seem to have it all down...always taking pictures, posting pictures, writing in their blogs, cooking/baking/sewing/etc.....Sometimes I just feel like I'm falling behind.

Oh, that's right -- I just have different priorities. Sometimes they take over. Last year it was the relay. I was good up until the relay.

After the Rainier to Ruston Way Relay last June, I was done in. I beat my body up really good. It took awhile to recover, both mentally & physically. I was just making it through the day. Always tired. Working out was hard, playing with the kids was hard. Ugh!

Good thing Alex's birthday was the day after the relay...I had already planned it!

My happy little boy turned 2!

Then Levi finished Kindergarten! He loved his teacher & made lots of friends.



There were several camping trips & family gatherings. We ended summer with our annual camping trip to our friends property in Quinault. We look forward to it every year. This year was FABULOUS! The weather was amazing...sunny the whole time.



Then suddenly we were into the new school year. Levi headed off to 1st grade. It has been a struggle, one that has had us seriously considering private school. Levi insisted on staying where he was, and at the moment things seem to be working out okay.

Then it was CHRISTMAS TIME!!! We went tree hunting, then tree decorating, then present wrapping. The whole family was at the house this year. It was a wonderful time!

We then celebrated Levi's 7th Birthday. Where did 7 years go? He was super excited about his soccer cake.

Sally and I started talking about a 1/2 Marathon. Lakefair this year is going to have one.

A friend at the Y turned me on a book...Eating Clean Stripped. 28 Days later, 9 pounds gone. Plus the Eating Clean lifestyle has brought me new found energy. That 1/2 Marathon is going to be awesome!

January brought a new workout class for me to lead -- R.I.P.P.E.D. Seriously the best workout ever! I have been teaching it now for 2 months, and I feel fantastic. My muscles are much stronger & my runs are getting faster because of it.

Things are looking better. The boys are happy and growing. Duncan is happy. I am finding my way. I am on the road to becoming a Personal Fitness Trainer. So that should be a fun post.

We also expanded our family..please welcome out new baby girl, Gwen:

Hello blog-land, sorry I have been gone for so long.



Rainier to Ruston Way June 4, 2011

 Some crazy person invented this run.

This crazy person was a runner...and only runners would be crazy to do it.

Yesterday I got to experience one of the greatest things, seeing just what I could put myself through and watching my teammates go through it with me.

50.8 Miles, from Mt. Rainier Ranger Station near Fairfax to Ruston Way, Tacoma.

6 Team Members, 2 legs each.

I assigned the legs a few months ago, and while running I decided I picked badly!!!

I wanted a challenge & boy did I get one!

Here is the team:

JJ, Sally, Heidi, Amanda (back row)
Me, and Jodi (front row)

I took one of the isolated trail legs (#2), I figured that I was used to running on trails in the woods, so I would be fine....HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Leg 2 is muddy, slippery, very isolated, and rugged...that was the first two-thirds of the leg. The last third-ish was UPHILL!!! My legs were covered in silty mud & my shoes were completely soaked. It was like military boot camp!

Oh, and 6.3 miles...that means approximately 2 miles of UPHILL!

Looking back now, it was fun! I know, I am crazy...I told you, runners are CRAZY!

Anyway - The team keeps going. As I am trying to clean myself up & change, we are jetting off for Legs 3-9. I get to spend the time being a co-pilot (or back seat driver), and time keeper. I try to eat little bits at a time & drink lots of fluids.

The day is heating up, well into the mid-70s...finally good weather by the way.

I watch my team run their legs & fill us in on their trouble spots...unaccounted for Hills and no downhills at all. Mud in abundance. Heat. Cars not watching out for the runners. We have it all --- well not all, no flat tires, or running out of gas.

Finally, Leg 11...my turn again. Leg 11 is 5.3 miles...WHY, what was I thinking!!!

Sally tapping me into Leg 11

I was thinking, no problem. 5.3 miles on flat-ish paved road with 1 mile on unpaved trail. No Problem.

HA - the unpaved trail was SAND...SAND, like running on the beach SAND, Mile 1 was worse then the entire run of Leg 2. SAND.

After I scale (yes, scale) the bank to the road at the end of mile 1, I am thinking there is no way. My legs are toast.....until I get into the industrial park of Fife/Puyullap/Downtown Tacoma.

RUN....Run like your life depends on it.

I am alone & freaking out. AND HOT. Why did the sun have to be out today...of all days!!!

I have blocked out the run up until D street. I remember turning and seeing the bridge (why Up, why do I have to go Up...there better be a down here)...and thankfully I see it. I see my finish...I'm not sure how far away it is, but the finish is in sight. I RUN.....

I make it to the Museum of Glass & Tap Jodi into her leg...the teams final leg, Leg 12!!!

We head to Marine Park on Ruston Way.

We watch & cheer as Jodi makes it in to ring the final bell.

Jodi at the final bell station!

WE DID IT!!!

We started of the day sooooo unaware of the obstacles to come.

We each faced them with great determination.

We finished, standing strong & ever so thankful that it was over.

I learned that I could do anything I put my mind too.

My body can do it!

Sally will probably kill me for saying this...but ARE WE DOING IT NEXT YEAR???!!!?!?!?!

Amanda, Sally, Heidi, JJ (back row)
Jodi and Me (front row)