The Keene Family

This summer we have two trips as usual. This first trip fell into our laps after an acquaintance asked if we wanted the site way back in November, as someone she knew was cancelling it. We said YES. So it was just going to be our little family of four for the week, but then our friends the Drews got a site for the week as well. Yay! We had such a fun time showing our friends all of our traditions and things we enjoy at Steamboat Rock State Park. The Drew family left on Friday, but we stayed until Sunday. The kids said it was "very relaxing" to not have any friends around for a few days. They missed them, but they also took naps and just had some time off... which any introvert will tell you is a very good thing. We will be back for round 2 with family shortly, and we can't wait for more fun in the sun!

JT turned 11! We started with a party with friends, Friday night at Ocean 5, for laser tag and arcade games. We hosted a family brunch on Saturday with JT's choices: Jim's French toast, sausages, and fruit. He got some awesome gifts and noticed that this year he received "no toys, only tools." I guess he's hit that point! He is officially 85 pounds and 4' 11". I think he'll pass me by age 13. Yikes! He got some popsicles from Aunt Gena and Uncle Jeff (what a fun idea!) and shared with his sister later that day. The actual day, we were leaving for a camping trip, so we didn't do much except grab a photo on the deck on our way out. I lovvvve this photo of him!

Haley and I took a trip to the Novel Effect studios in Seattle in mid-July. She got to attend a business meeting, do a demo of their new app, and record her voice for one of their new books! She did a great job! On the way home, we were thrilled that Jim was on the same ferry - just by chance. And I got a new shirt!

We just love getting away for the weekend in our camper! I made reservations for Lincoln Rock State Park months ago and the kids were excited to visit there for the first time. Can you see the profile of my favorite president on the cliff face? We also got to install Jim's birthday gift from Haley... a new mat for inside the camper door! ...and we used Jim's birthday gifts from my parents - camping tables that were perfect for playing cards and holding snacks. Yay! The first day was a little cloudy but we enjoyed getting out in the warm Eastern Washington air. We rode scooters, tubed, ate s'mores, played tennis and basketball together, and enjoyed the sunshine. On the way home, I snapped this awesome photo of our sweet set-up. Now for a better way to transport the bikes...