when the kids are away....

I am so far behind in blogging--and thinking I would never catch up--
so I decided to just start NOW--
and if, and when I have the time,
I will go back and "remember"--
I wanted to start with our own Maxfield family reunion--
but with over 800 photos to choose from,
I was a bit overwhelmed
and decided that I would just have to make a book of the event!
But I can tell you what happened after all the children left....

Below is our wonderful, newly christened cabin called
"Max Inn"
a tribute to our fathers
(my dad's family Scalleywag cabin at Macks Inn, Idaho and
Ron's dad who was often called "Max")

Here's our family--
what was once only 5
has now grown to 11 and 1/3!!

the view really is this amazing!

now, here's when all the children have left...
the hammock is empty...the cabin is oh, so quiet...

so we decided we needed to take on another project...
we wanted to be able to use our
"private beach boat launch"
but fallen trees and old stumps blocked our access..
but that didn't stop Ron and I
OH, NO
we tied a tow rope to our old Suburban with over 125,000 miles on it
and turned it into a TOWING MACHINE!!

Here are some of the logs and stumps we moved out of the way--
you can see the drag marks in the dirt.

a closer view of the stump,
(which just might find a new home up with us!)

Here is He-Man Ron!

the logs were so water-logged that we had to rock them back and forth
in order to get the tow rope and hook around them!

another view,
you can see our trusty suburban in the distance....panting!

After the hard work--now play time..
We put the sea-doos in the glass-like water,

The lake is incredible-- the views are amazing--
and very few others we have to share it with...
ok, it is a bit cold, hence the attractive form-fitting wet suit,
but not much colder than the Columbia!

I had Ron take photos,
because I have such little proof that I actually do anything,
besides take photos of everyone else!!

And I realize that I do like to go FAST,
still learning how to take those tight circles
(but this was only my 3rd time on jet skis by myself
so give me a few more months and I'll have those circles mastered!)

AFTER church on Sunday,
we had to check out the farmer's market in Roslyn.
Live music, shaved ice, fresh produce...
what more could you want?

Monday we put on our hiking boots and set out to conquer
the Cooper River trail.

the scenery right by the trailhead was spectacular...

a group of kayakers were getting ready to go up the river to
kayak down--
looks like a fun, if but, a rough ride!

The trail was in the old growth forest --
beautiful

a little bit of nature to share with you..

another river shot--

we climbed out on some of the boulders hanging over the river

ok, so I think my husband loves me,
because he always takes the best photos of me!!

Ron was so tempted to jump in this amazing clear pool,
if there had been any other testosterone in the area I'm sure he would have!!

The water was so crystal clear...

Here I am, just can't stop working and clearing these dang, fallen trees out of the way.

ok, I thought I was funny!

This is where Cooper river leaves Cooper lake..
incredible looking especially with the mist over the mountains!

here's Cooper lake--
I want to return with kayaks
(drive them in--not hike)
beautiful campground near by--
a bit of paradise.

Oh, and just to keep it real,
a snake on our path as we returned to our car...
doesn't every paradise have a serpent?