We finally were able to get away for a few days for summer vacation and had an amazing time exploring the beautiful state of Washington. We tented most of the time with the highlight being the hiking and fishing at Mt. Baker. It is so wonderful that such amazing mountains are right in our backyard. Ben caught 5 fish while fishing in a glacier bowl with his dad and uncle Nate and cousins Colette, Luke and Garrison (Joey and Sam ended up going for a little drive and back to camp to make dinner with Aunt Jennie and me). There is nothing like being outside 24/7 for 9 days...it was good for the boys, good for our marriage (staying up late under lantern-light playing cards and talking-it was like we were friends again! I highly recommend it!) as well as good for my back and my skin (days of dirt and sweat along with wind and lake water does wonders for the pores ha ha). When we got home, we managed to keep the TV off for 48 hours but then...I needed to have a shower and do laundry and there aren't any lakes or hiking paths in our backyard hence the one hour (I've now made a strict limit) of "kid shows" as Ben puts it. But I am definately determined to spend more time "out"side and less time with my "the-house-needs-to-be-cleaned-must-vacuum-bathroom-wiped-down-laundry-dust-etc." side.