Mt. Ellinor

On Monday Ryan had the day off again so we took off for a hike. We drove up to the Olympic National Forest to hike Mt. Ellinor. It didn't sound too bad, but turned out to be pretty steep. It was a good time though. I was sore the next day from all the vertical.



We got about halfway up and discovered snow. It was pretty steep (you had to hike up a chute) and the snow was slick so we stopped at a little above the snowline.



It was a pretty fun hike, although at the time Kim probably wouldn't have agreed. After we got down we sat by the edge of the parking lot and had some grapes. It was a great view from up there.




It was a pretty place. Ryan enjoyed it so much, he wanted to summit and went back today with a man we met while we were there. This time they took cramp-ons and ice axes to get to the top. We heard there was a herd of mountain goats, so hopefully he will get to see those.

Fun on the 4th

After the race, which I wrote about in the previous post, we just took it easy for the afternoon. In the evening we waited for the rain to stop and then went a few blocks over for the program. They had a carnival and we let Kim ride a few rides. I think those were her first carnival rides except the carousel at the zoo in Columbus.

Here's Kim at the race waiting for Dad to run by.



She was really excited to ride the airplane ride, but when it started she thought it went too fast.




After that, Dad went with her on the fire engine ride and she seemed to like that better.




After that we went and sat on the bleachers while they had the Salute to the Union, which included a cannon blast for each of the fifty states. Then there was an Army band concert, which was great, but by the end the kids were starting to get tired. Then it was fireworks time. The fireworks were some of the best I've ever seen. Glade managed to see most of them, but Kim was just too darn tired. It's that darn daylight savings time. It was too late for the kids by the time it was dark enough for fireworks.



At the end of the day, I realized I hadn't gotten any pictures of Glade, so I snapped one back in our hotel room in his cute 4th of July outfit from Grammy and Granddad. He is tired, but still happy.

Mud Run

On the 4th of July they had a 7.5 K Mud Run here on base. Ryan decided to run in it. It was a really fun race. It was a run on dirt trails with lots of obstacles and water squirting over them in places. At the end there was a mud pit that they had to crawl through. He said it was one of the funnest races he's ever done. He did really well and finished 2nd in his age group.

Different Tag

Thought this was a cute idea that I got from my friend Kim.

Memory Lane...the tag that gets everyone involved.

I hope you will play along. Here are the directions: 1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! 2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Da Beach

Last post, I promise. I just haven't been on for about a month and a lot has happened. Thanks, Honey for getting the pictures onto the laptop so I can do this.

Last weekend we drove up to Olympic State Park and played on the beach a little bit. It was really neat. The sand was black (volcanic, I'm guessing) The air was cooler than inland (thank goodness!). The water was very cold. The sand was steaming (technically, the water was evaporating, I guess) and the wind was blowing it. It was very cool! We didn't get any pictures, which is a shame, but oh well.

Then we drove down the cost a little bit and found a good place for a bike ride. We rode about 12 miles and then played on the beach a little more. By this time it was getting cool outside. It was really fun though. We found a Lot of sand dollars. I collected some to keep. I thought they would be fun to decorate a bathroom.

Here's Ryan and Glade. What a beautiful day!



Kim with a whole (almost) crab. It wasn't alive, but it was the best one we found. There were a lot of top shells hanging around though. By the way, Kim is wearing Ryan's swim shorts with a rope around the middle. She got her shorts wet earlier in the day and didn't want to put them back on.



At this point the tide started coming in and the kids were cold, tired, and hungry so we headed for home (or hotel sweet hotel). We stopped and ate seafood on the way home, which was great, although I am not a huge seafood lover.

Jeremy told Ryan he liked it here when he was assigned here for a medical rotation and we are starting to agree whole-heartedly. This is a beautiful area. We also went up to Mt. Rainier a week or so ago, but didn't have the camera.

Hard Times

Glade and Kim have had a little bit of a hard time. We have been living in a little hotel room for about 2 1/2 weeks and will live here until about the 18th. Hopefully by then our house will be ready. That's right, we found a house to rent at an unbelievable price so we decided it was worth the wait.

Glade has had a little bit of a hard time with falling in his new surroundings. You can see here the great scrape he got on his nose. That has healed now and he has a new one on his forehead.



Kim has a little bit of a hard time with being cooped up. We have tried to get out, but don't do it enough, apparently. Fortunately, our room has a sliding glass door that goes out onto a patio area that people use for smoking, Kim and the other kids like to go out there and play though.



It has been nice here. They have an indoor pool with waterslides close by. I discovered a gym with free child care. There is a park for lodging guests. The PX and Commisary (Department and Grocery stores) are closeby. I can see why people like to live on base. It is just a lot more expensive for us. Last night we went to the French Theater and watched Prince Caspian for only $2.50 total. I couldn't believe it! Anyway, we are enjoying it here, but are anxious to get into our new home.

Yellowstone

Ryan's sister, Leah, came up to the cabin on Saturday with her family. We all went up to Yellowstone for the day. It was great to be with everyone. It was a pretty crazy day though.

Kim made good friends with a step-cousin Sarah. They were really cute. They would hold hands and run see things together.




The girls. Kira, Petra, Kim, Sarah, Talia at Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.



Glade and I at Canyon.



Ryan rode his bike 54 miles and was planning to meet us later in the day he was very speedy and got there an hour before we did. He had a great time riding over the mountain and got a pretty good sunburn.




Ryan and Kimberly at Mammoth Hot Springs.



Ryan and Reed, the kings of cool.




We all went back to the cabin for a quick dinner so some could head down to Idaho Falls. We went down the next day for Father's Day and thus ended our vacation. From there it was on to Washington, without the help driving. We took two days, but we did it.

Happy Birthday to You!

Our sweet little Glade just turned one. Hard to believe we have had him for a whole year. We decided to celebrate a week early so we could be with family. I made cinnamon rolls and we sang and did presents at the cabin with Grammy, Granddad, Reed, Katie, and Addie. What great fun! It was wonderful to have family with us.




We celebrated again on his real birthday here in the hotel at Ft. Lewis with ice cream cake. He was a fearless man that was entranced with that candle.




He LOVED the ice cream cake. It was a big mess.



Funny boy opening his gifts. He has been doing this more and more lately.



Glade is getting so big. He now claps and waves at anyone. He fold his arms when we say it is time for prayers. He just got his third tooth (and is about to get his fourth). He is such a sweetie!

Glade, you are wonderful. We love you so much and are glad you are a part of your family.

More Grammy and Granddad

Grammy and Granddad came up to the cabin to be with us in the middle of the week. It was great to spend more time with them. Grammy watched the kids so Ryan and I could go to the temple in Rexburg. Thanks again for that. We also went for a hike with the dogs. Here's Grammy with their new puppy Cocoa.



Here's Glade enjoying the riverbank and being out of the pack.




Grammy with Glade.




Kim, as close as she can get without being wet and cold.




Granddad in the cabin with Harrison and Kimberly.




Ryan's brother Reed and his wife Katie came up to the cabin with their little Addie. And I do mean little. Addie was born 6 weeks early and now weighs a wopping 6 lbs at about 2 months old. (sorry if I got the numbers mixed up Reed and Katie!) It was great to meet her. She is a little doll.

Cabin Fever!

In a good way. We have always loved the cabin. Ryan and I spent our honeymoon there in late December with 4 feet of snow around us. We did get a few sprinkles of snow while we were there. Here are Kim and Glade enjoying the snow on the front porch.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas. . .

But not in mid-June. This is the scene that greeted us as we drove into Yellowstone on our way to the cabin. I couldn't believe how snowy it was. And it was still snowing on us. The ranger at the gate said that the road had been closed the night before so we were lucky to get through.





It was starting to clear up so we got out at one of the geyser basins. It was very cold though. We braved it one or two more times. The cold air made the normal steam VERY heavy.



On the way out, it got a lot more sunny so we got this good picture of Ryan. Then it was out through West Yellowstone with a quick stop at the grocery store and home to the cabin in Island Park for a week.

A Real Payne

My mom's maiden name is Payne. I have always really enjoyed my Grandma and Grandpa Payne and was blessed to grow up near them. When I traveled to Cleveland for the WREB, I noticed that Payne was quite a prominent name where I was. I intended to research this, but haven't done it yet.

Hat

I made this cute hat for Glade. I love the way it turned out. It reminds me of Granddad Abbott's fishing hats.

Captain Abbott

The day after graduation, Ryan was made a Captain in the United States Army. Then we were off for Ft. Lewis, WA. By the way, we really liked having our things packed for us and look forward to having them unpacked also.

Mt. Rushmore

As I said in the last post, Ryan's parents traveled back out West with us. They
drove the Smurf most of the way. One of the most fun things we did is go to Mt. Rushmore. I have never been there before and it seems like the kind of thing you should see at least once in your life. I didn't know that the artist had much more planned, but died before it was completed. They sketches they had showed some of the Presidents to the waist.

Dr. Abbott

I am finally getting the pictures up so I can make this post. Although it was a month ago, It was one of the proudest days of my life. Four years of hard work and it is finally finished! Ryan, we are so proud of you and all of your hard work.

Ryan and I in the Merschon lobby area! It was kind of fun. He was the first one across the stage since they had the class in alphabetical order. There are some advantages to being and Abbott! It was wonderful to hear "Dr. Ryan Abbott."


Ryan's parents came from Idaho Falls, ID to be with us for the occassion. They also helped us drive out West. We appreciate the effort to be with us and the help.


Kim gives her Dad a BIG hug!


Ryan with some good friends, Peter and Austin.


Wendy and I. It was hard to say goodbye to some good friends.


Ryan and some other friends: Michael, Mike, Kendall, Nate, and Jake


Kim and I. Katie, I am sad I didn't get a picture with you!


There was a nice luncheon on the lawn afterward. It was a nice day for the celebration.