The Crazybunch: 31 August 2008

Wow, I can't believe it that I have not posted anything here for more than a month. A lot things have happened obviously. One thing for sure is that we have been very busy. The boys finally got home from their summer camp at the beginning of the August. They had great time there. They worked more than 12 hours a day and 6 days a week. They learned a lot on leadership. Most important of all, they made a lot of friends. They were kind of "home" sick after they came home because they missed their camp friends. They refer them as their 2nd family. In reality, I felt that this home is their 2nd family and camp was their first family.
I was looking forward for them to be home at last. I really missed them very much this summer. However, it did not take them long before they wanted to go on a trip again. Being home only less than three days, Toby got a call from a friend they met at the camp about an opportunity to go to the Boundary Water in Minnesota to attend boy scout Northern Tier Canoeing Trip. It typically requires more than 2 years of preparation and sign up ahead of time to attend such trip. Because someone had dropped off from their friend's troop, they were offered the opportunity. Within two days, they were off again for another week of camping and canoeing trip. They had another fun week.
On Labor Day weekend, our family finally spent time together for the first time this summer. We camped with some colleagues from Bert's work place. We had great time together as a family. A week later, we spent a day at Michigan Adventure for Sue's company's annual outing.
School started immediately after the Labor Day. Anna and Jenny are still in the same school this year. Anna is in 3rd grade and Jenny is in 2nd. This is Toby's last year of high school and work part time (CAD drawing job again). Besides keeping up with a lot school work, he has to finish his college application. Joshua is in his 2nd year in High School. Right now, he is deep involved in his new iPod. I am so jealous that my kids have better electronic gadgets than I. I really can't complain much because they have worked and saved the money on their own. I just wish they could share some of the responsibility for the college expenses.
The girls started their dance class last week. Very soon, they will have swim practice. We are busy, but I am happy that we are now back to a normal school year routine.

After a long day at the camp, Anna and Jenny watching TV before bedtime in the camper. This is one of their favorite thing during camping.

Toby with kids in the Bear Cave - This cave was full of bats. I was not too fan of these bats because they could not see and sometimes they just flew right into your face!

We did a lot tubing that weekend while we were camping. St Joseph river was very quiet. The weather was perfect and the water was beautiful. The girls loved tubing. This was Ann and Jenny on the tube together.

Toby on the tube. With the boys, we could drive faster on the boat. Our goal was always to throw them off the tube.

Toby was driving the boat. This was also the time that Joshua could drive. One day, both boys went out together for a spin. On the way without traffic, they were allowed to get a little wild.

Toby and Anna were on the same tube together. Anna was so excited to ride with Toby. This way, they could go a little faster without fear. Toby tried to teach Anna a few tricks too.

Bert drove the boat as fast as he could with curve and turns with a purpose to throw Toby off the Tube. It was tough, but he did it! This is the moment before Toby fell off the tube. It was fun!

We develop a sign language while we tube. Thumbs up means go faster and thumbs down means go slower. Normally the girls called for going faster and faster. It seemed we never going fast enough (without throwing them off the tube, that is). This was a few moment that they actually wanted us to go slow!

I took this photo while I was on another boat from one of Bert's colleagues. Joshua was the proud driver. The little boy was Zachari - John Smith's son. He is also Anna's best friend.

It was Joshua's turn. It was harder to throw him off.

Can you see Jenny's smile? She loved it when Joshua ride with her.

Up then, Anna and Jenny had been riding together all the time. Jenny was the first one who initiate the idea of riding by herself. Anna was afraid that Jenny would be afraid. Jenny, on the other hand, being so competitive, she absolutely wanted to show off. Here she was. Not only she was riding alone, she was showing off without holding the handle.

Don't know what Toby was talking about. It sure looked like that he was having fun. The boys also knew how to enjoy themselves by bathing in the sun.

After Jenny had her turn of riding alone, Anna just had to give it a try. She is just as competitive as her little sister. Not only she rode alone and did all the tricks Jenny did. She added some new tricks too like standing in the tube. It looked easy, but it was really hard as the water speeding under your feet.