The End of Summer

Well, summer is officially over for us. SAD! Kaylyn headed back to Whitworth last week, McKenna started soccer last Monday and Lexi starts tomorrow. But, weather aside, it was a great summer.

Lexi, Aleah and I (Cindy) all survived Girls' Camp. This was Aleah's first year and she loved it. Lexi was a YCL again and was in the 4th level so we were able to go on the canoe trip together again. I was in charge of the canoe trip, which is always a little stressful, but very rewarding! And Rob was one of the chase boats so it was a family affair. We started in Sandpoint, Idaho, which is one of my favorite little towns right on Lake Pend Orielle. After canoeing up Sand Creek a few miles, we turned around and headed down Pend Orielle River. Despite a strong headwind, a few swamped canoes and the proverbial "Are we there yets?", we made it to our camping site. The next day we canoed another 5 miles or so and made it into Camp Peine. It was a successful trip that didn't include any trips to the ER (unlike other years!).

My bff Nikki and me.

That's Lexi in front.

Before everyone started up soccer, we managed to get one more trip in to the lake. We spent a lazy day on Lake Coeur d'Alene which felt great because it was 100 degrees! We borrowed a friend's 3-man tube and had a blast. It is such an awesome tube - if you like flying, that is! We'll definitely have to get one of those next year.

Rob looks guilty of something, don't you think?

Lexi, Aleah and Kaylyn catch some air!

OOPS! We lost Lexi.

But everything is A-okay according to McKenna.

Rob got to have the last campout of the summer when he put on his "Scoutmaster" hat and took 5 scouts camping this weekend. They went boat camping on Lake Pend Orielle and enjoyed two days of swimming, rappelling, rock climbing, tubing and good food. Rob even provided them with a few laughs when he walked off the end of the swim platform fully dressed! He thought he had a little more platform left that he did. OOPS! But he had the last laugh when he got the other leaders on the 3-man tube and took them for a ride!

So now it's on to school supply shopping, squeaky clean tennis shoes, running to make the bus in the mornings and HOMEWORK! But what gets us through the fall is soccer. Rob and I absolutely can't wait to watch the girls play soccer. Kaylyn starts the season first. Their first game is in Tacoma and then we fly to California for the next two games in Santa Cruz. Then it's 5 games a week for the next two months! And don't forget Aleah's volleyball in there somewhere. WOW. But I wouldn't have it any other way!!