A Very Busy Summer

Camps, camps, races, adventures, friends and fun. That's how the Blandings spent their July.  Here is a short run down and some pictures of all the fun they had. 

SHOOTING!

Steve made me a two gun boxes for cub camp and we had to try them out--the guns fit. We borrowed a few council guns and had to make sure they worked too. They do.  

TEMPLE

The Seattle Temple has an open baptistry during the summer and Matt, Chris and Jessie try to go each week.  This photo just shows Chris and Matt as Jessie was at girl's camp. 

GIRLS CAMP!

Jessie went to her second year at girls camp and had a great time. She is the on the left of the lime green group. 

SWIMMING

Jessie spent many hours cleaning her pool so that she could enjoy it with friends and family.  

BIRTHDAYS!

Glenn, Dad, Grandpa, whatever you call him, he turned 80 this year and I surprised him with a book. 

Mike turned the big 18!  

Cub Camp

Matt, Chris, Jessie and I spent a week helping at the Cub Scout Day Camp. We decided to do both day and twilight so we got there about 7:45 and would leave around 9 each night. Really long days of helping some 350 kids achieve, practice, do and play.  Matt spent the entire week at the archery range. Chris was at BBs during the day and was a den chief to a very difficult den during twilight. Jessie was in her element doing the arts and craft stuff.  She helped the first two days at the leather station and then the last two days at the walking sticks/nature walk.  Here is an email the director shared with us. 

"Patty –
Thank you for another great Cub Day Camp this year!

As we’ve come to expect, the staff was great. I’d like to single out one member of your youth staff for special recognition. 

Jessie B., who guided the Cubs on the nature walk on Friday, was amazing. She commanded the boys’ attention in a way I’ve seen very few leaders (youth or adult!) able to do. She was kind, articulate, and knowledgeable. The boys really responded well to the experience, and the adults with us were astounded by her maturity and poise. Please make sure she knows that her contributions are recognized and appreciated.

 In Scouting,
John Elsbree
Cubmaster, Pack 615"

I received two "Tokens of Respect" as a BB gun range master from two sweet little cubs. One was extremely scared of the gun and I took some time and helped him calm down enough that all 10 of his shots were either a 9 or a 10! The other boy was having aiming troubles as well and I helped him; he ended up with 5 bull's-eyes. Yes, I am that good.  But the funny thing is I can't see to hit the bull's-eye myself.   

This isn't to blow our own horn but to show just how much we want these young boys mean to us.  We truly love cub camp. 

Then Doreen got called as the new WEBELOS assistant den leader.  

Ragnar

How does one describe Ragnar? Ragnar is a two day, one night, 200 mile relay race with 12 of your best friends. I ran it last year with a friend and decided to be the captain of my own team this year.  Back when I needed to put money down and sign up for this year, I asked Steve if he would support me and he said, "Only if I get to be the driver again."  So I did and he did.  I put together a 12 member relay team and July 19th at 6:30 AM started our 196 mile journey from Blaine, Washington to Langley. It was WONDERFUL!!!  We ran so well we shaved almost two hours off our team estimated finish time.   

Somehow I didn't do the math correctly and I gave myself the second longest accumulative milage: 18.1. Oh, well. I smoked them.  I didn't get many kills but I sub 10'd leg one and two and then ran a 10:59 my last leg which was up hill almost the entire way! BRUTAL!   I also gave myself the very same leg as last year. Leg one and three were exactly the same, but they switched up the middle run and it was so beautiful. I ran through some pasture-farm land and watched the sunset on the left and had Mt. Baker just ahead of me on the right most of my run. 

Yes, I'm going to run it next year and yes, Steve will be my driver!  And yes, I'll invite all my team to join me again. Yes! it was just that fun!!