So besides the the pool pics, I realized I haven't shared much about our adventure to Lincoln rock two weeks ago. So I thought I'd do some photo and story recapping here on the ole blog, so that when I get around to scrapping these photos I'll actually remember the stories behind them!
Darin, the saint he is, helped load up the car on Wednesday night and then Daisy and I left here around 9:00 Thursday morning, right after breakfast. It didn't take Daisy too long to fall asleep (nicely planned, Miss Mama) and I had a couple hours of driving and listening to a Podiobook that turned out to be a dud. Just before Cle Elum I started to wonder if we could make it over Blewitt pass without stopping for gas. Since Daisy was asleep I didn't want to pull over and wake her, but she must have heard my thoughts because she awoke shortly thereafter. So we pulled into the Safeway for a fill up, diaper change, and walk around the store for some snacks. We loaded back into the car and I gave Daisy some snacks and toys, which miraculously kept her entertained the rest of the way through Blewitt pass, Leavenworth, Cashmere and through Wenatchee. I was so proud of her for how good she was in the car!
We pulled into the campsite around 1:00 and after lunch and cleanup I tried to put Daisy down for another nap. We were staying with Darin's mom and stepdad in their motorhome, so we set up Daisy's porta-crib for sleeping. Well, she was having none of it, and two hours later I finally tired of trying and we got up and went for a walk in the stoller. That didn't do the trick either as there are too many fun things to look at, and people stopping us to talk. So we went back to the campsite, spread out the blanket and toys, and played the rest of the afternoon away.
(In this photo: Dakota, Darin's cousin Lydia, Darin's Aunt Laurie, Linda, and Tiffany.)
Lydia was great at smiling for the camera!

Daisy and Lydia made some beautiful music together.
But the graham cracker distracts her from playing for Laurie.
Graham crackers are a favorite new addition to the snack rotation.
That night, I was nervous about putting an overly-tired Daisy to bed, but she went down without a hitch. And I got to play some volleyball. That is one thing I love about Darin's family: their love of the best game ever. As the night was winding down, Dakota and I played a little two-on-two against a couple boys. Normally two-on-two just isn't my game since I'm not so good at the net, but Dakota and I played really well together and had a blast. And even with a close game, we pulled it out in the end and were pretty darn proud of ourselves!
As light faded I headed over to visit with Linda and her good friend Zoe. If you're from Washington, you may have heard about Zoe's husband who was a federal officer and was killed last year by a driver high on meth. We ended up talking a lot that evening and I must admit that it was one of the most profound experiences of my life to sit across from a woman surviving that kind of grief and get to ask her questions. She is moving forward, focusing all her energy on being a mom and a dad to her two young sons. I was so impressed by her resolve.
11:30 bedtime for me that night.
Back with Friday tomorrow!