Vacation highlights :)

I'm going to try and be concise at this post but there is just SOOOO much to say!!!!

Our family returned from a fabulous visit to family and friends. Tim has a maternity leave benefit through his work where he can use sick leave for time off to welcome a new baby. He asked me what I thought about visiting family and I said - I will either sit on the couch or in the car - let's go!!! We stayed home until Saturday the 20th. We left about noon on Saturday and traveled over Lolo Pass, through Idaho and into Oregon. It was a longer trip than we had anticipated that route -- it took us 20 hours to reach Klamath Falls thanks to construction delays and slower roads than we anticipated. Tim still amazes me -- he drove the entire trip except for one hour that he allowed me to drive (at 4:30 am and then a half hour nap for all of us at 6 am) The scenery was beautiful and we had a great time together as a family but it was a LONG drive!!! We stopped for dinner in Grangeville and played on the playground for a bit to wear the kids out and settle them for sleeping (we hoped!) We met some kamikaze bunny rabbits that kept running out in front of the car when we passed the desert plains of Eastern Oregon. There is nothing that will keep you alert and awake as much as things running in front of the car at the last second. I am saddened to confess that we hit most of them :( I did miss the skunk that stood in the middle of the road and threatened to spray the van!!! He didn't move as fast :)

We arrived in Klamath at 7 am their time so we drove around a little bit looking at old landmarks and familiar places. We showed the kids our old house for example. We got doughnuts at WalMart and drove to Ang's for breakfast. It was wonderful to see her, Joey and Taylor. She invited us to stay with them and visit. I wish we could have visited longer!!! I always love to see Ang. I am afraid we weren't the best company - we kept falling asleep!!!!! Even though it was short it was wonderful to see her and catch up a little bit.

We left Monday morning for Redding and arrived about lunch time at my Dad and Nancy's house. We had a wonderful visit with them also although it also was too short!!! We had all missed Daddy tremendously from his visit over the summer - it was good to be with him again. Nancy spoiled us with yummy food and made HUGE points with Bekah by helping her paddle around in a "boat" in their pool!!! It took a HUGE amount of patience for Nancy to accomplish that - kudos to her!!! Bekah is still pretty afraid of being IN the water. Daddy also spoiled us with a trip to an amusement park - the kids got to play miniature golf and bumper boats. It was a blast!!!! We left early Wed. morning with some teary goodbyes.

We traveled down 299 to Eureka arriving early to mid afternoon on Wednesday. We visited with Tim's folks for a little bit and then headed to my sisters house for dinner and a short visit with my mom and the Throssels. Grandma Nonnie popped in for a quick visit - it was SOOOO wonderful to see her and Auntie Marilynn stopped by on her walk to give us welcome hugs and greetings!!! Then off to the Martins who SUPER graciously opened their home to us for our visit to California. Tim and I were saying it was like a Bed and Breakfast -- they had everything set up for us so beautifully and comfortably!!!! Tim, the baby and I had a beautiful room with a bathroom. The boys had a HUGE bedroom with a bathroom and the girls had a beautiful bedroom also. We couldn't have asked for anything more perfect!!! Their generosity to us was really overwhelming!!!

Thursday morning we drove the kids to the beach which was SO much fun!!! The little guys had never been to the beach and Zachy and Josiah didn't have much in the way of memories of the beach. They had a great time collecting shells and rocks and racing the waves back up the beach. It was a lot of fun!! Then we headed back out to visit with Tim's family for the morning/lunch. Late afternoon we had dinner with my sister, her family, and my mom. Auntie Marilynn and Uncle Gavin popped back in with Timothy and Jessica's kids for a visit. Mike stopped in on his way home from out-of-town and visited with everyone for an hour or so. It was so nice to see everyone!!!

Friday was spent with Tim's family. We spent the morning visiting with Tim's folks, and Uncle Dave and Aunt Eilene who had also come to visit Lyle and Bev. It was great to see them - it has been probably a dozen years since we got to visit with them!!! The kids had a great time playing with Magnum and picking huckleberries. Tim and Mike worked on repairing our trailer. Late in the afternoon I ran to mom's to sneak in some vocal practice and do some laundry and then out to Melody and Jays for dinner with the family. Mel and Jay's home is gorgeous - it was super sweet of them to host everyone! Mom, Sherie and Mel provided a scrumptious dinner for us all. The kids had a great time playing and we had a marvelous time visiting everyone!

Saturday morning we popped in to Mike's for breakfast. He made us such a nice breakfast :) Tim and Mike kept working on the trailer. After visiting for a bit at Lyle and Bev's all the kids except Elijah went to Blue Lake and picked apples and berries at my cousin's old house. I must confess that is something I miss from CA -- it seems like there is almost always something to enjoy harvesting whether it is apples or berries or flowers. We had a great time working together and with two of Lynde's beautiful nieces!!! Thank you Arlene for letting us come get apples and berries!!!

Elijah had a great time hanging with Uncle Mike, Tim, Lyle and Travis. Mike even got Elijah started welding. He definitely has the bug now -- he mentioned NUMEROUS times to us as we traveled home that he really wants to get our welder going so he can keep practicing. :)

Saturday night Janine and my mom hosted a party for us to celebrate Baby Koliah's arrival! Jessica, Grandma, Marilynn, Molly, Mom, Janine, my friend Hilery (who I haven't seen since we moved to Montana) and Hilery's little daughter Caitlyn came to bless us. We were so touched with everyone's love and generosity!!! Uncle Tom took his boys and Zachy to the car races and had some quality "guy time" -- they had a blast together. Much to my surprise Josiah opted to stay with us and helped my sister host. He was a perfect gentleman and said he had a great time just hanging out with everyone.

Sunday I had the wonderful opportunity to sing with my mom and sister at Mom's church. We sang "Who am I?" ( a song by Casting Crowns) and Janine and I sang a duet of "Amazing Grace -My Chains are Gone" (by Chris Tomlin) Mom's church is always super welcoming - it is a great place to minister. I was so blessed by the opportunity to sing with my mom and sister. It has been a long time since I had the opportunity to do that!! Pastor Cassie also asked us to bring Koliah forward and she prayed a prayer of blessing and dedication for him and our family. I was in tears - what a precious gift!!!

Sunday lunch was with Tim's family - visiting with Lyle and Bev. Sunday dinner was an Oakley gathering with Grandma, Mom, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins at my sister's house. We got to see Esther's family and the twins! Please remember to continue to pray for little Aiden and Ethan -- they are facing some serious challenges still ahead. Aiden's heart surgery is scheduled for Oct 9 and they will be in the hospital for three weeks. It was a privilege to see them and even more so to hold them. Please continue to uphold their family in your prayers!

I couldn't believe how much everyone had grown and changed!! It was great to see everyone for a little while, catch up, and have some time to reacquaint ourselves with some of the younger cousins who were just little whipper-snappers when we left ;)

Monday we spent at Tim's folks. Lyle and Bev took the kid's and I out to pick apples and berries in Freshwater while Tim started loading up the newly refurbished trailer. The guys did a great job - we came home with a new axle, new gussets on the tongue, new tie downs in more places and a ratchet like the semi-trucks have for tying down loads. We drove home loaded heavy with boxes of apples, gifts, and blessings from Mike of all kinds of goodies including some metal to keep working on our new house.

We went directly to Standfields for a super yummy dinner and a few hours of visiting with our precious friends. Wayne and Betsy are so wonderful - there are few people that are more kind and loving!!! It was wonderful to visit with them and catch up a little on their lives.

When we headed back to Martin's Tim surprised me with two precious hours at my sister's with Janine and my Mom to visit and say our goodbyes. Tim dropped me off and put all the kids to bed (except Koliah of course who stayed with me :) ) There is never enough time to visit with those you love I think, whether it is two hours or two weeks. I treasured every minute of our time in CA!!!!

We left bright and early Tuesday morning headed home. We were 24 hours driving and another 4-1/2 hours sleeping at a rest stop in Othello. Everyone travelled really well and enjoyed sharing our favorite memories of the trip, observations, discoveries, and thoughts. We also listened to the kid's KI class lectures. That is a subject for another post - but what a GREAT resource. Exceptional teaching!!! We got home about 2 pm on Wednesday afternoon, tired and dirty but glad to be home.

Mom and Janine both have pictures which I hope to get copies of. Mom's good friend Evelyn even came and took pictures of all of the Oakleys that made it to the Sunday evening dinner. I have some also - I will try to post pictures of our vacation in the next couple of days.

Precious family - treasured friends - marvelous memories made......................