Thursday, July 31, 2008

Lots of tears this week in Kumamoto!


Today, three beautiful English babes left Kumamoto to return to England. Tyler, Sophia and Millie, we already miss you dearly! This past few weeks, I can't count the number of times Lucy and I have been to the house, sometimes to help clear out some of the excess belongings, but mostly to hang out and stock up on the positive energy that fills their house. As we mingled with the countless friends that came to their farewell party this past weekend, I vowed to myself that my own house has to become like theirs...a place where everyone is welcome anytime. On any given Saturday night, there was often a handful of girls over for a pajama party, and their house was always a place where, at the last minute, you could call up and say, "Can I come over?" and you wouldn't expect anything else but, "Of course you can," for an answer. Now, I hope when I email them in England in a couple years and say, "Can we come over and crash on your sofa?" we will get the same answer! Until then, Tyler, we await news of your new adventures and look forward to when we can get a refill of your happy juice!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

A great escape!


We managed to escape the heat and paperwork this past weekend. We joined 2 of our friends' families for a weekend camp-out. We drove far enough into the country to feel like we were going camping, but the campground itself so beautiful, well equipped and crowded, that you almost forgot you weren't just out in your own backyard. Each campsite was on plush grass, with a sink and running water at each site, showers and toilets a few minutes walk away, and loads of playground equipment for the kids to play. Had a bit of tent and tool envy as we walked around and saw what elaborate gear everyone else had, but between our 3 families, we had everything we needed. Barbecue, bug spray and beer...it works! Can't wait to go again!

Lucy's Favorite part of "camp"



There were never any waterslides at the campsites my father used to take me to. Maybe just an ice cold lake that he would have to bribe us into getting in. Lucy and the other kids managed to get in this pool 3 times in our 12 hour stay! I don't know all of the hydro-dynamics of it all, but the pool was somehow connected to the nearby river, with cool water (warm in comparison to the Montana mountain lakes) running in. I tested out the slide myself. FUN! (Until they discovered the huge stinging centipede on the side of the pool that is.)