Surpise Birthday Party in Oregon

Thursday morning I left EARLY with the kids and drove up to Oregon. It was my Grandpa's 80th birthday and my dad wanted to surprise him with a visit. Unfortunately, Kevin was not able to go, so I made the trip solo.
My grandparents are caretakers of a church camp during the summer months. Basically, they retired and now work half the year. The camp is just outside of Ashland, Oregon. It is absolutely beautiful!
When we arrived my Grandpa was surprised to see us, but he quickly hid his excitement because he's a manly man. We had a nice dinner with him and my mom made his favorite carrot cake (from scratch... it's is sooo good!)

(blowing out his candles with Gavin)

My family and I camped at a nearby campground since my grandparent's camp was hosting a girls camp. It was 47 degrees in the morning. It was so dang cold!

Friday we drove up to my other Grandma's house (my dad's mom). She lives about 100 miles north of the California boarder. My kids loved running all over her property. We went to the pasture and picked blackberries. Blackberry season isn't quite at it's peak, but we were able to get enough berries to make a cobbler. Picking blackberries was one of Hannah and Gavin's favorite things they did in Oregon.(I didn't get a picture of the cobbler)

(the ultimate flower crown)

Saturday we spent the day with my Grandpa back at the camp. The kids went out on the canoes, we had dinner, a campfire, and s'mores. The kids and I were able to stay in the nurses cabin with a bathroom and heater.
Sunday I left the camp at 8:30 and drove ALL the way home with the kids. I have no complaints about the drive. The kids were wonderful. We had a little quarrel about the DVD player, but we made it home safely and sanely.
I told the kids at 4:00 we would stop at the gas station and they could pick whatever two treats they wanted. Hannah got a popsicle and skittles, Gavin got cheetos and skittles.

Beach Camping

Beach Camping at El Capitan has been a Jones family tradition since Kevin's dad was a little boy. It is a tradition I want to carry on in my family. I love seeing Kevin share his childhood memories with Hannah and Gavin. I just hope when my kids are older they aren't making out with other kids under the lifeguard tower like their daddy did.
We went with Kim, Jim, Jeremy, Melissa, and Michael (Kevin's aunt and her family). We always have the best time with the Dicatos.
It was a bit of a challenge to keep Hannah's foot clean since she had stitches. I bought her some cheap rainboots and along with a band-aid, tape, and a sock, her cut stayed pretty clean.
Gavin pounding about 10 marshmallows at once...
The monkey tree... Hannah and Gavin must have spent hours playing in this tree. They got a few scrapes, but it didn't seem to stop them from climbing it again.
Wanting to play with fire... Just like his Daddy...
Roasting hotdogs for dinner. We even cooked our baked beans in a pot over the fire... it doesn't get more camping than that!I can't wait to go next year!