Thursday, August 20, 2009

lobake moberwobin

Last week, we took a quick 12 hour drive up to what I like to call Heaven. If you're wondering, this is what Heaven looks like:Yup. Didn't you know? Heaven is a 60 year old, small, cabin in the woods of southern Washington. Ah, Heaven.

While we were in Heaven for a week, we did a lot. We went on nature walks. Leah was amazing at hiking up these hills all by herself!
We picked black berries. LOTS of black berries. Mmm black berries.
We had s'mores and roasted marshmallows for, um, Family Home Evening.
We sported these lovely jackets the entire time.
We kayaked.
We paddle-boated. And Leah even pooped in her swimsuit, hence the diaper I'm holding. Since I should be in full swing of training for my triathlon (the training of which I have not yet started), I decided the paddle boat was my bike training for the week. I also did open water swims 6 of the 8 days and went trail running (on HILLS, folks) 5 of the 8 days.
We wake boarded. First time in four years. Go me!
We boated. Leah was less than excited about it at first.
But that changed as soon as the motor started. And she loved feeling safe and warm in her daddy's arms.

Did I mention this place is Heaven?
And of course in Heaven, you'll be with family. This is one of my favorite little families out there (sans their dad who was in a gas chamber at basic training). Sorry, Rach, but your copy-cat of her face was too perfect to omit.
There are community bath houses in Heaven. Who knew!? Love that little MacBeth. LOVE her (and her parents).
And apparently, there are torrential rain storms in Heaven. There aren't supposed to be. Especially in August. We think it was the Marshall's fault - bringing their darn monsoons to the north with them. Lots and lots of rain and clouds.
But, the truly good company and the fact that it's Heaven made up for it. (Sorry, we didn't get the photo until the Marshalls and Websters left. Oops!) The food didn't hurt either. That aunt of mine sure knows how to feed us like kings and queens.

But, as they say: All good things must come to an end. Even Heaven? Well, I guess this Heaven. Until next time. And if you're wondering. Our 12 hour trek home was much MORE eventful than the one there. I could have done without these kinds of stops, but I have to admit that I do love the picture. Oh, how I love you, Lake Merwin. And even though you didn't deliver, weather wise, this year, I still love you. I will always love you.

12 comments:

Uffens Family said...

I love you, but...can't forgive you for that one! Wish I had a pay back pic...but for some reason you look cute in ALL of them!! ugh! :)

Dyan said...

How fun, I am glad you were able to get up there this summer. It looks like Heaven...

jularun7 said...

oh maren. what a fantastic vacation. looks like you had some amazing amounts of fun. your landscape photos are so beautiful.

Unknown said...

i love love love LOVE heaven. even more so when the laytonites are there. bean is so stinkin cute and i am glad i got to see you guys! sorry we brought the weather, but it's my favorite and i can't leave home without it:) and mackbeth has never loved a bath more than when sharing it with bean:)

Molly said...

That DOES look like Heaven! At least the Heaven I'm going to.

Jessica M said...

I like heaven. I would like to go there, I think we'd get along well. Glad y'all had such fun! Totally jealous. Loving the pictures!

Rebecca Parker said...

i looked earlier in the week, so was glad to see your post follow mine:) also happy you still it call heaven despite the downpour!! guess clouds brought us pretty close eh? was much more celestial with fab cousins & lil' people to keep co...so grateful you made the drive!! let's do it again next summer...good luck with triathlon training in meantime:)

Rebecca Parker said...

ps you got some great pics that i somehow missed even when looking through ryan's...maybe on the other cam? well, i copied a couple but had to give credit where due ie sun teasing in that last boat pic & frameable layton fam shot @ end-we'll have to exch! except i missed the close-up on your s'more?!

Dustin and Jamie said...

Is that the same cabin we went to forever ago when we were young tikes? I remember hiking and eating peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches. Oh and singing Grandma's Feather Bed!! Good times. I love Heaven too!!

carolee said...

that's my kind of heaven too! just gorgeous!!

Rebecca Parker said...

ps thought you should know bad news that i clocked what we ran & measly 1.3 mi one way so whoppin' 2.6 + basin loop total? ugh! made up for it with 10 mi. today in training for half first weekend in oct...when's your triathlon?

Rebecca Parker said...

sorry, but i can't comment on random posts...hope you find response:) actually clocked lil' loop 'cuz added today when didn't think i got 9 & went over:) however, that basin loop is only .5-ugh! oh well, we were on vaca even if in downpour! the word verification is suckl & the weather that week & this weekend did!!