Ruby Beach

It's the end of July and I feel like we've finally hit the pace of Summer. The first two weeks after school were really about transitioning out of school. Then it was 4th of July. Then our big trip. Then a week to get re-acclimated again and all of a sudden...August is on Tuesday. What the heck?!

I decided to be a bit spontaneous on Sunday, so we jumped in the car early in the morning to drive three hours up the Washington coast to a beach we had never been to before.  It was worth the drive!

So many rocks to climb on!  This was the first time he displayed such initiative and confidence with a new skill.  He took the time to analyze and plan his routes and was SO. STINKING. PROUD of myself when he reached his goals!  I was really proud of him too <3

Top of the rock!  We did it!!
(Took me a few minutes to figure out how to climb down the 20feet we just climbed up!)

Oh goodness. Then there was the driftwood...he spent well more than an hour puttering around the sticks and logs, building, sorting, imagining:

If you are local and haven't yet visited Ruby Beach, we give it two thumbs WAY up. If are not local and are looking for yet another reason to visit...here it is:

Summer Vacation Part 2: BFF-Palooza

Our Bamboo Reunion was flanked by a visit to Nashville and a road trip to Cincinnati to meet up with my BFF and her kids. Gramma came with us, so Isaac was especially excited to be doted on by his two favorite people:

NASHVILLE:

Opryland Resort

First trip to Cracker Barrel!

THE PARTHENON:
This picture cracks me up...it was 97 degrees with a real feel of 109. Isaac was having NONE of it.  His face says it all!

After our sweet time with our Bamboo Cousins we road tripped up from rural Tennessee and my BFF with her kids road tripped down from Wisconsin to meet up in Cincinnati.

THE ARK ENCOUNTER:
Seeing a life size replica of God's redemptive plan is fascinating!  The size alone is mind bending. I really don't even know how to describe just how stinking big Noah's Ark was. And seeing how Noah and his family could have prepared, contained and care for a floating zoo was really very interesting. I was particularly excited to see that Noah had installed air conditioning and modern plumbing in his ark---God thought of everything!  ;)

FINDLAY MARKET:
We had heard so much about this amazing market in Downtown Cincinnati and planned to spend several hours there...we were essentially the only ones there that day so we got to roam freely and catch an early lunch *wink*

Of all the dollars spent on a cross country vacation, Isaac's favorite event was riding a 25cent plastic pony ride! What a goofball!

RIVERBOAT CRUISE:
This was a fun way to spend the afternoon and let little legs rest, and let one particular little human nap.

ON BEING FAMILY:

At some point in our long distance best friend-ship, Ange & I decided that bringing our families together to "live life together" was important to us both--whatever that may look like in that season of life. The chances of us ever living in the same town, let alone state is slim...but we CAN live life together in visits like these. The beds in our Air BNB rental were like rocks, and we had a beloved family member in the hospital which meant initiating the family phone tree and providing frequent updates, and there was a frantic rush to remove a bodily fluid stain from a couch cushion--but isn't that exactly what living life is? It was also laughs around the dinner table and auntie snuggles on the couch before bed. It's not the spontaneous late nights of our college & single years---its BETTER. My niece and nephew will have memories of their crazy Auntie Des reminding them to get their teeth and underwear before getting in the car. They will also remember long hugs and deep words of affirmation. My son will remember waking up to cousins IN THE HOUSE and giggles with his Auntie Ange, even when he is feeling a bit spicy. These are important memories for little hearts that build foundations of meaningful relationships--with us and with our Lord. 

We are so very thankful for our time together and are already looking forward to next time...wherever that may be!