The first day we unloaded our stuff at the cabin and then headed to Creston for Liv’s baptism. It was a lovely night with our family and friends – I still can’t believe Liv is 8! We spend the night at Simone’s and then headed to Moyie first thing the next morning.
At the lake we did four things – biked, played at the beach, played at the park and had campfires. It was perfection. The kids loved the beach and so did Doug and I. It really is amazing how much more freeing life is with the kids now that they are a little bit older. There were many moments where Doug and I just sat on the beach together and watched the kids play in the sand and water. Amazing!! A little break!! The park in the Moyie campground was awesome and we spent a lot of time there, mostly in the evenings between dinner and campfire. It even had a little kiddie bike park next to it! The kids didn’t bike on it, but ran around and around and around! Campfire time was so great. I worked as a summer camp counsellor all through my teen years so it was so awesome to share with my kiddos those old campfire songs. It was a special time for sure. And bedtime? AMAZING!!! The kids went to sleep great and would sleep all night!
Britt, Kev and the girls came out twice to visit. Yay!! I know I say every time I talk about them, but they are the best. We are totally cut from the same cloth – we think the same, parent the same and are total goofballs together! When I was looking for a spouse, Kevin was the man I would measure guys against. I wanted a husband like Kevin and I found one. Doug and Kev get along SO well, which is awesome for Britt and I. The kids play beautifully together and all in all, they are the best friends and family I could ask for. While they were out to visit, we spend most of the time at the beach. It was perfect.
We also took a little family trip into the town of Kimberly. We were going to go to Fort Steele, however the train was down for repairs, so we figured we’d save some money and just walk around the Platzle. It was just like I remembered it and we had lots of fun. We got to see Happy Hans come out of the ol’ coo-coo clock and had a stop at the candy store. John picked an ice cream for a treat and Nola and Robbie got cell phones with suckers inside. Doug and I thought they were ridiculous; however the kids play with those phones for weeks!! There was also a ‘sword in the stone’ that we all took a go at. It was funny watching the boys – they were trying so hard!!!
Our camping trip was amazing. Not only was it fun and successful, but it also helped to solidify ourselves as a family unit. When the kids were young (and we were young too), we still identified ourselves heavily on our extended families – mom, dad, brothers, sisters. As the time passes and we all get older, we are starting to identify more just as our own unit…the Doug and Jess Walton family. It is absolutely beautiful. Not that we are cutting ourselves of from extended family, but this is the way life is intended, to be ‘leave the nest’ and build a new one.
We are so happy and so blessed. Yay summer!!!
