Northwest String Summit 2006

This weekend was the 5th annual Northwest String Summit at Horning's Hideout. A weekend of class act blue grass with many legends and of course Yonder Mountian headlining the event all three days of music. Frank and I headed out early on Thursday to catch a good campsite at family camp for us and Jen and Josh and Grace. Frank found some prime estate on a hill in the trees so we had shade all weekend (which was key in 90 degrees). Jen and Josh arrived Friday afternoon and Grace and Piper had a super fun time playing together everyday. We all had some sleep issues with the girls, but aside from that-it was a steller time! The music was super jammin and the girls LOVED to dance and play. Attempts at the hoola hoops were made-in a few years the girls will be pros at the hoola. Friday night left us all pooped so we crashed early dispite the rocking music echoing across the valley. we actually had such a prime spot we didn't need to go into the venue because we could hear the music crystal clear from our campsite. Josh went out alone friday night to catch some YMSB. Saturday night was the same, everyone crashed after first set, but Brandy headed out for the full second set Saturday night-and what a nite! A naked guy jumped on stage as they were beginning a jam and tried to jump on the mandolin players. he was chased around the stage and proceeded to jump into the crowd. The band made jokes about it all night and it was pretty funny.

So the kids and families had a great time. There were tons of kids and Piper and Grace made friends with a lot of the kids around us. It is fun to be around other parents who like the same music and for the most part share the same ideas about food and fun. So its not big deal if the kids share each others snacks or sit in each others chairs. we are all a big family at family camp. most of us anyway. we were unfortunate in the fact taht we had that ONE BAD MAMA behind us at camp that proceeded to get tanked each night and yell and carry on about her cocktails and getting F-ed up as loud as she could to her friends. She woke up the girls a few times and we could only feel sorry for her kids. I guess there is one bad egg in every bunch.

it was a hot, dusty weekend, but so full of great music. Really, the people around us were so cool and even if they weren't parents, they reeled in the delight of watching the kids dance and play and have so much fun. We took several peacock trips-going up to the lake to find the peacocks that own the land. No, really. Horning's, amoungst other things, is a peacock farm and there are tons of peacocks running around the property. Don't be suprised to see one pecking around your camp or crossing your path as you zig zag through the camp ground. The girls loved to watch them...and chase them a few times too. The peacocks are used to it though, so they don't complain too much. they just run away behind Bob Horning's house if they get sick of it. hahahaha.

well, to a wonderful weekend. we are lucky to get one show in at HH this year. hopefully Bob's neighbors will lighten up and we can get some more shows in next year!!!
to good friends and good times!!!!!....oh and naked guys. yeeeeeeehaaaaaaawwww

Belly Paint

After a super fun morning playing with all her friends at Jen's house with the mama group, Piper took on some finger painting. Which soon led to belly painting. The colour here is pretty darn good i think. worthy of a picture.

A fun weekend

Piper and mama went to a good friends house up in Washington this weekend. Aaron, his wife Teri and their beautiful daughters Caillean and Amber had us stay the night and showed us a wonderful time. The girls played in the river several times, we went for a hike to the top of a mountian overlooking the valley with views of the river and what we decided was Mt. Rainer in the distance. The girls had fun picking wild Blackberries and Huckleberries, thier hands and face covered with berries.
Piper and I had so much fun playing with the girls we came home exhausted!!!!
Aaron and I had great spiritual conversations that led well into the moon of Sunday morning admist a crackeling fire in their back yard. We can't wait to go up again to do some ritual celebrations and let the kids play again. It is so great to have good friends!!!!

Sun Valley ID

We headed out to Sun Valley for a wedding this past weekend. Piper was a gem in the airplane and the overall travel experience this time around was excellent. Sun Valley is amazing and beautiful. I would move there in a heartbeat if i could afford it, but frank is a tree hater and said no way. (just kidding frankypie) Trees..standing around like STUPID JERKS!
anyway, the wedding was very nice and it was a nice time. Frank and i got to check out The Dirty Dozen Brass Band while we were there. We love the DDBB and to see them in a small little bar was cool. To hang out with the band...that was even cooler. Everyone was wasted so i am sure they wouldn't remember...but i get them all to sign my poster. so i have proof.

well, piper loved the trees and fresh mountian air. we will be back for sure.

The visit

The family had so much fun having Alicia and Amber and Jason over to the homestead for a few days. Piper and Amber enjoyed playing, dancing, drawing and of course...eating ICE. We can't wait for them to come back to visit or hopefully move back so we can enjoy their company ALL the time. Amber has become a beautiful young lady turning 7 in a week. Last time I saw her, she was 4. It was good to hang out and watch the kids have a good time.