To start the post I need to share how awesome my kids are sometimes. We have a tradition in our family of giving "just because" presents. These are thoughtful little things that we buy or do for each other, and the kids are all really into it. They use their own money, and it's usually something super simple. A pack of gum or a bag of chips. Maybe a small toy, or a book to read on a long trip. I think that they have learned that the satisfaction that comes from giving is often greater than the time or money spent. And thus, a tradition has developed and is propagated without us even trying. I really love that.

Well, a couple of weeks ago, Addy announced that she wanted to get a big "just because" present for Maren. It was a playhouse thing, and it cost $150. Now, that is a lot of money for Addy. Basically everything she has, and she was wondering if there were any jobs she could do to help pay for it. We both thought this was a really nice gesture, but had doubts about whether or not she would actually go through with it.

That is, until the item went on clearance and started selling out at the store. Apparently it wasn't going to be available any more. When there were just three of them left, Addy desperately spoke with the other kids in secret, let them in on her big plan, and asked if anybody would be willing to pitch in. She was met not only with acceptance of her offer, but with excitement as all the kids reached deep into their accounts to come up with the required money. That evening, when they delivered the present to an unsuspecting Maren, I'm not sure who was more pleased- Maren, the other kids, or the parents. To be honest, I'm still not entirely sure what the thing actually is. But it doesn't matter. This was kind of a special moment, you know, just because.

On Saturday I drove 9 hours to drop Lindsey off with my parents. She is doing "Cousin Camp" with them and some other cousins her age, and I'm sure she will have a lot of fun stories to tell when she gets back.

When I got home, I helped the other kids pack for our trip. Rachel had a virtual work conference over the weekend, giving us a "mandatory retreat" into the mountains to give her some room. 

As a side note, recent changes in Rachel's industry make it more and more likely that work will take place from home on an increasingly frequent basis. Because of this, we are currently in the process of designing a home office which we hope to put on our property. It's a big project and is taking up a lot of mental energy right now.

Anyway, back to our "mandatory retreat." We had a lot of options, but one place I have been wanting to bring them was Steven's Lake. I usually go up in the winter to do a climb of one of the taller peaks in the area, but it is a beautiful destination in summer as well and it certainly did not disappoint. The five mile hike went quickly, and the next couple of days were filled with relaxation and leisure.

Here we are about to embark. Note that Maren is wearing flip flops. That girl!

It was a beautiful hike

These logs weren't perfectly sturdy and Maren got pretty nervous. Addy knew just how to help. Also, she is wearing tennis shoes now. Good choice.

The girls set up a tent to sleep in. Jack and I used bivy sacks. I think we got the better deal.

The water was cold at first, but quickly became the source of hours and hours of fun

I don't even know why I put this picture in. Maybe to prove that we ate food while we were out?

Addy spent a lot of time on this particular log reading her book.

Ok- this is starting to feel like an Addy post. She is clearly featured more than the other kids. Well, it was her turn. This is the "trail" that her and I used to get to and explore the upper lake. 

Looking back, I am surprised we got out of this place without any injuries. This is mostly because of this one activity that the kids seemed to love. How many sinking and rolling logs can you run across without faceplanting? For Jackson, it turns out quite a lot. Maybe because he only weighs as much as a large house-cat.

Alright, that's about it. Have a good week!

Found on Lindsey's bedside table. Oh, to be a kid!

Alright, so last week I climbed three 5.12s (a,b,c), ran a marathon (26.2 miles), and went camping for a couple of days at Priest Lake. It was a pretty okay week :)

Rachel's mom is staying with us for a few days right now, which gives us a chance to catch up a little with her while doing all these fun things. It's been good so far, and I think we have some nice plans for the next couple of evenings.

Here we are with the Broadbent family. They were good friends who lived across the street from us when we lived in Cleveland. In fact, their Maren (far left) is the reason that we have a girl named Maren too. Anyway, we haven't seen each other in about ten years, but we jumped at the chance to hang out when they said they were coming up. Mark was planning to run a marathon, and even though it has been years since I ran more than about two or three consecutive miles, I jumped on the chance to do it with him. It was so fun to be able to spend time with them and I was proud to be able to finish the run before heading off to work that morning. Good times. We'll have to do it again soon (maybe without the running part though). Ten years is too long!

Jack was in the parade with his scout troop for Post Falls Days. Afterwards, we went and checked out the craft fair, listened to live music, saw a classic car show, and drank root beer floats. For better or worse, Post Falls is in the middle of crazy changes right now, almost doubling its population since we moved here. For now, at least, it still feels like home and I love it!

Camping at Priest Lake. Lindsey and Grandma Almond went on a walk and came back with a cup of wild raspberries to share!

I have no idea what is happening in this picture, much less why. My kids are weird. That is all.

Campfire songs have definitely found a place in our family's culture. Addy has become quite the sidekick lately. It's fun. 

That is a picture of a Hazard boy if I ever saw one.

The lake was beautiful and the water was perfect. Heaven.

Jack has gotten into sewing clothes for Barbies. This is his latest creation, cape and all. 

Well, that's about it for now. Have a good week!

Get ready for a big photodump of the Hazard reunion. It was a blast!

But first...

Ms. Lindsey turned seven. But really, it is crazy to think that she is only seven. With four older siblings and us as parents, I think she is growing up faster than many other kids her age. A part of me is sad to see this, but another part of me thinks it is cool. She is definitely a mature seven. That's a nice way to think about it.

Here's what Rachel wrote:

Lindsey is growing up! She is seven, and is definitely the boss in our family. She is skilled at either exaggerating or downplaying her "maturity card" to get her desired outcome in any situation. She is a charmer, and she is always up for adventure. Linds is a smarty, and it can be tough to give her a good challenge. On day one of summer, she completed all 150 pages of her learning bridge book and then asked for more. She loves school, her siblings, rock climbing, and anything LOL or Barbie. We sure love this girl because she is full of sweetness!

I couldn't have said it better myself :)

*****

Now for the Hazard reunion. We all went to the famous American Buffalo Resort in North Dakota. Woo!

It was actually tons of fun, with all my siblings, their families, my parents, and my grandparents making the trip to camp together for five days in the middle of nowhere. Good times with good people. So fun.

Lots of just hanging out

Great food

Somehow, nobody broke any bones in the hammocks

More hanging out

Lots of good conversations

Evelyn tried to teach me to balance on a Onewheel. That didn't go so well.

Three generations of Hazards. I guess we could have gotten Jack in the photo to make it four if that was what we were actually going for, but this picture was more just three old guys who found a bench in the shade to be more inviting than the playground equipment surrounding it.

We toured a cave. Pretty cool, actually.

Hikes

Resting on hikes. Also, is it just me, or did Grandpa wear that particular sweatshirt, like, a lot? 

Lake day

Storybook Island. This place was kind of creepy cool. I could not imagine a scenario that would make a better setting for a horror movie.

Not really sure where this is. I think a place where you could buy wooden statues. Also, I'm not sure that the kids are supposed to be on top of the statues...?

Kids in a window. And another appearance of the famous orange hoodie.

People on a wall. There is a cave under that hill.

A gravity hill. This place was a little trippy.

Yes- we were the family reunion marching around a major tourism destination with matchy shirts.

*****

And finally, the dad-day photo of the week: Isn't it great when a simple log can provide hours of entertainment?