Creek Street

We went for a walk to the tourist sights. Creek Street is right down the road from Heather's house, so we walked with the boys sown there.

My nephew - J, wasn't too thrilled about going, but he came along.

Down at Creek Street, the salmon enter the river from the ocean to spawn.

Eli had a bit of trouble on the boardwalk.

We stopped by a place called Dolly's House.

Luckily I knew where my husband was.

(these are some signs that were on the windows)

Dinner with the Troops

This is what meal time looks like. We made Navajo tacos for dinner, and fed the troops. We actually have almost all of the children sitting down at the table eating. We are missing the oldest and the youngest of the cousins in this pictures. The youngest boy - D, was running around and got to eat after everyone else. The oldest boy, Caleb, was asleep, and missed dinner all together. The next day Caleb and I were talking and he told me that he had missed some meals. I told him we had only had two dinners, chicken salad and tacos. He told me he didn't have tacos. I asked him why, and he told me he doesn't remember them being served.

In talking to him, we determined that after his fishing trip he came in and took a nap. I guess with all of the commotion we didn't realize he was missing. I have been a little more careful to count my children at meal time.

Blueberries!

As part of the local festivities, they had a blueberry pie eating contest. They had little pies. About half of the children participated.

The little pies.

A - getting ready to eat the pie.

Claire not wanting to eat the pie.

Joslyn starting the pie.

Emily after the pie.

April finished her pie.

Autumn & Abby waiting to begin.

Caleb in action.

They had all of the children wear plastic bags over their clothes so that they didn't get them dirty. They were also not allowed to use their hands.

Claire was ready to eat the pie, and then she decided that she didn't want to. She started crying. My sister's dd-S was in her plastic bag ready to go, and then her eye started to hurt, so she didn't participate either.

Eli and his cousin J didn't do it either (I don't know the reason - maybe they were too cool, or maybe they didn't like blueberries).

Bear-ly Watching

Uncle Huck took us down the road a ways to "watch" the black bears. When we drove up and were getting out of the car, I saw one on the other side of a gate at the end of the road. We were pretty far away from most of the rest of them, and we didn't see any bears at first. There was a meadow and a couple of little streams (or something) down the hill. We were able to see about 5 bears. Most of them were out in front of us and down the hill, however, one did come down the road where we had parked and then went up the hill behind us.

We also saw a seal-type animal and a couple of eagles. It was amazing.

These pictures were taken with my sister's camera with a zoom lens. It was fun, especially because we took 13 children 12 and under, and one of the vans full of children were terrified to go and see the bears. There were three or four of them crying on the way there. The oldest in the car, my niece Autumn, tried to convince them that it would be O.K., and that they were like big teddy bears. They all did fine, and they were all a little excited to see the bears.

When we got home there was a big surprise waiting for us. Uncle Huck took his motorcycle, so he and Caleb made it home first. The other 3 vans pulled up about the same time. When we pulled up we heard a terrified scream and there were children running back down the driveway. We were concerned that there was a bear out - especially since we had already been awakened by one. When we got out and started up the driveway, we found out that Huck had put a bear fur over himself and waited in the garage. When his daughter had gotten close he growled at her and she thought it was a bear in the garage.

She was terrified! I can't say I blame her. I would have been screaming, too.

The Race

Heather and I signed the children up at 8:00 a.m., and then we back to Heather's house. The runners were finishing breakfast when we go there, and then about 8:45 a.m. we walked the 3 or 4 blocks to where the race started. We put their numbers on the back of their shirts, and I think we were the only ones. Most everyone else had their numbers on the front. We asked if it mattered, and it didn't. So we waited for a little while for the race to start. Everyone was in high spirits.

Here are the runners before the race.

The runners with their race numbers.

Getting instructions on the race route.

Lining up for the start.

Wondering, "Why am I here?"

Some of the spectators (my sister and three of her four children).

Brett watching down the street for the runners.

Caleb - Our first runner up the hill.

Emily - Our second runner up the hill.

Autumn - Our third runner up the hill - an asthmatic.

Emily winded after the race.

Autumn after the race.

The children all did really well. Caleb ran the mile in 8 min. 30 seconds, Emily ran it in 9 min. 31 seconds, and Autumn ran it in 9 min. 35 seconds. They all did a fabulous job. It was very exciting.

And the Winner Is...

On your mark!

Get set!

GO!

This is the shot at the beginning of the race.

This is the end of the race. Caleb is running up the hill and he is in first place.

Finishing the race.

Almost at the finish line!

After the race.

At the Blueberry Arts Festival, there was a one mile run. Caleb, Autumn, and Emily decided to run. The man at the beginning of the race told the runners it was the same track that it was last year. We were a little worried because Caleb does not know the route, or the area. The man said to just follow the people who had run it last year. Again, Caleb expected to be in the lead, so he wouldn't know who to follow. Caleb was out of sight for about seven minutes. The first leg of the race was up hill, and the last stretch was up hill. Caleb rounded the last corner first and pushed it up the hill. He finished the race in 8 minutes and 30 seconds. He would have had a faster time, but some of the helpers told him to go the wrong way (just a little bit, by accident), and then he had to back track. He said that the guy ahead of him made fun of him and stuck his tongue out at him. Then Caleb passed him, and the boy was yelling for him to slow down. The boy also told some of the helpers to slow down number 42.

After the race, we waited around so that we could find out the children's times and places. Caleb was the ultimate winner and the winner of his category. It was very fun for him.

Day 2 of 7 ...continued

So, the boys went halibut fishing, but it was too windy. There were four foot swells, so they couldn't get to the spot they wanted to. Hence, there were no halibut brought home. The did, however, catch a shark and some more salmon. They also pulled up the shrimp pots and brought home a handful of shrimp.

Caleb with a his shark.

J reeling in his catch.

Eli and his catch.

Of course it wasn't all work. Uncle Huck took them to a beautiful place where they got out and swam and hiked around. They really enjoyed the trip.

Caleb and Eli enjoying the water.

There is a submarine testing site, and the boys saw a submarine out there. It was fun because my dad was a submariner.

The boys hiking around.

The day's catch.

Cleaning the fish.

Prepping the fish for the smoker.

The fish ready to be smoked.

I can't wait to eat some of the fish that they have caught. So far, we have vacuum sealed the fish, and now smoked the fish. Oh, Huck did blacken a few little pieces in a fry pan. I have three words to say about it... DE-LI-CIOUS! (Yes, I know it is really only one word, I just wanted to emphasize it).