Camping in DogWood party of 20, +five four legged ones as well! After confiscating Chum Chum from the Netter's backyard and packing up the truck the six of us headed toward Lake Arrowhead. The weather was amazing the whole weekend. Us, the Bakx - Stone, Joan and Larry, Dirks, Sean, JB, Sofia, and Hailey, and the Pham family including their two little girls Rhiannon and Chloe. Porter and Roaklee had some buddies come also. Thor, Jasper and Freya were there to play. As always there was no lack of entertainment or food. The tent held up with the six of us, we did a lot of exploring, and enjoyed all that the mountain nature had to offer.
Apparently the first go at "Senior" pictures happen way before school, which I get since it is mainly due to needing yearbook pictures, but it made things start to be real. After that side note we continued the fun heading toward the end of the summer. Dad headed to San Diego since Uncle B was there on business. They ended up meeting with Uncle Joe and crashing/making the most of Dana's farewell party at a good friend's house. There may have been some late night swimming involved. Meanwhile the girls took Mom paddle boarding for the first time. The blow up paddle board with the one paddle was not meant for three of us, but we made it work anyway. Against the wind and the tide, hard work paddling and Cienna kicking from behind, and Kaylee on Aux many jokes and laughter later we got back to shore tired and ready for food.
Dad made it home and we all decided to get Subway for dinner as we watched Happy Gilmore 2 together and relax! The girls both finished up all assignments for summer school that week (A's all around!) and then we were headed for out next big adventure up North with family at Resort Del Poppa!
We were so grateful that Sean and Jamie leant us their RV for the week. Sean even parked and hooked it up at Poppa's before we showed up. There were to be 5 RV's in all parked at Poppa's resort and Cabana that weekend. But the first night we relaxed with Poppa and Heather after going to get groceries and dropping by Sean and Jamie's, seeing the boys, and checking out the new barn getting ready for the horses, maybe a cow and perhaps a pig :) That night the four of us watched TSITP together in the cabana since it apparently comes out on Wednesdays, and that was the first one.
Woke up to a beautiful sunrise, mom and dad ran up the canyon, we decorated got the property ready and the girls perfected how to use the fly over drone. Ashley showed up first, one day after her birthday. We continued to prep for the party as the next guests arrived. Grammy and Greg came with Maxwell and Jake. All four puppies had so much fun together and we all had fun introducing Greg and Jake to the rest of the family. Mike and Dana picked up Erik, Mary, and Violet from the airport and were on their way next. We were all excited to see them again and for them to be able to make it out to California! If them being there wasn't big enough, they also shared that they are expecting a baby boy this January!
A wonderful sunset and dinner together, then a mellow sunrise and breakfast together lead to the start of the big festivities for the weekend. Erin and Charley arrived first shortly followed by Alex and Shannon with Charlotte, with Cameron coming next. They were all in festive matching outfits and we made the most of all the games, food, and activities. Grammy and Greg came and put up some good challenge with corn hole and Kan Jam as well. We waited for Trevor and Sam to show then really kicked off the family planned activities.
A pre-organized game of Family Feud was soon making it apparent that we were all there to have fun and enjoy. Thanks to Ashley, The Marty's, and Poppa for the planning and organization. Definitely not a lack of jokes, banter, and laughs!
After a long night, the sunset, and all the things imaginable for breakfast was delicious. We all spent the day enjoying each other and spending quality time. This included a Jeopardy game, Pickle Ball tournament, more lawn games, Picture slide shows, Swimming with the drone video experience, and a sewer clean out all before a tri-tip dinner cut by Kaylee. This was followed by a couple games of LCR, and plenty of impromptu hangman before bedtime. One last sunrise in the morning, clean up, and some goodbye's to the family before the road trip home.
I'm not good at writing, and what's next is too hard. We are so glad that Porter got these two fun filled "camping" trips this summer. He always loved camping, and Poppa's property. He got to spend time with so many people who loved and appreciated him over the last 14 years. It had been harder and harder for him to get around but he still did laps in the living room before going for a walk even though they were shorter. We lost him, but he is not lost to us. He's shaped all our lives and there are holes missing each day with his absence. Thankful for Kaylee making photo frames of Porter to place around the house and appreciate all who reached out.
During that next week the girls got to help out at the Acting Out camp that they have gone to for almost a decade. They couldn't do the entire camp but Erin appreciated any chance they got to be there during the week. The girls had some extra morning practices which let us all go to dinner together on Thurs. night. We went to a location near the bay and walked around the shore during sunset and enjoyed our time together.
After Friday morning practice both girls headed off to ASB camp. They enjoyed outdoor sports/games like archery and zip lining, they all performed skits with different groups, had bonfires and hike, and played games all together in the common room way past bedtime.
Meanwhile dad and mom took the time to really embrace the fact that we are actually going to be doing the garage remodel. Architect plans are in the work to be approved and already have contractors on board to get it done. So what's left is to clean and organize. We had a great time working together making a plan to get it done. First up was hardware, then what to keep, throw away, and the "other" what to do with piles :)
When the girls came home we certainly enlisted their help in the garage. After a little resistance, we ended up making the most out of it and having fun together in the daunting task. Kaylee found a solar powered fountain, dad found some disturbing toys from childhood, and there were old soccer banners to reminisce.
Ending the last week Dad went to an Angels/Dodgers game in Anaheim with Roman and Mike, the girls went to Knott's with Clara, Francesca, Keira, and two littles Jill and Kalista. All but the littles closed down the park as the lines for the rides got exponentially shorter. Mom also spent quite a bit of time on the gymnastics seniors gifts for the upcoming end of the season banquet.
It was a Luau theme. All level on the team made it and got awards, had delicious food, and was followed by a pool party at the main Y. The seniors enjoyed the photo book gifts that included pictures of each of them over the past decade of their gymnastic experiences as they head of to college for more new experiences to come.
One last week before Cienna's final year of high school. She has certainly been working hard with her essay's and college applications all summer long. She deserves so much and we hope to be able to help her any way we can along her journey but can't even fathom that she is going to be a senior in high school. Both girls will be welcoming in the Freshman for orientation next week with the rest of their ASB classmates. They look forward to making them start off the high school experience on a positive note!
I have no closing statement. I'm drained.
We love you Porter!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/piML8D69AcQoFjtp7
