The New House

For those who don't already know... during the beginning of July we closed on the sale of our old house in Vancouver, and also closed on the purchase of our new home in Camas, WA.  Camas is just east of Vancouver, and its getting harder and harder to tell where Vancouver ends and Camas starts.  We like the Camas area for the small town feel, the community, the schools, and the fact that several of our friends and their families live in Camas.

Our house is on a cul-de-sac not far from the elementary school the boys will be attending.  The cul-de-sac is, for all intents and purposes, run by the kids who live on this street.  Even though we do have a back yard (however much smaller than our previous), Ryan has played back there a whopping ONE time!  He is always out front playing with all the neighbor kids there.  We have met most of our neighbors, and they are very nice people.  We definitely feel welcomed and part of the community.

The seemingly endless unpacking and organizing continues.  There is also a lot of painting to be done as the walls were all contractor white when we moved in.  I have since painted the kitchen (which is still needing a bit of touch up work) and Ryan's room.  Ryan picked out the main color for his room... green.  Gage's sister helped me with Ryan's room.  She is the cutting-in MASTER.... doing all the cutting in at the ceiling and around the doorway/windows by hand and without tape or a guide.

I've found our camera, and so have posted a few pics of our new house in the Hymas Photos section.  It is a work in progress.  Lots to do outside in the yard (was a bank-owned property, so not much done there) and a lot of organizing and settling in to do inside.  I'll post more pics as we progress through and continue to make this house our home.

If anyone needs our new address, drop us an email.  We have the same phone numbers as we are still a "cellular" family.

Family Camp Out

Over this last weekend was the annual family/friends camp out.  It was a bit smaller this year than in years past with only about 30 people in attendance for the potluck that is on the Saturday of the camp out weekend.  A few years ago there were over 70 people at the potluck.  We headed up to Paradise Creek campground in the Gifford Pinchot National forest on Wednesday evening after Gage got off of work.  I was off that day so had everything as ready as I could by the time he got home.  Most everyone else in our group arrived Thursday evening with most everyone staying through Sunday.

Ryan had been looking forward to this trip for weeks, and possibly months (that boy LOVES to camp).  I believe the trip exceeded his expectations.  He played with friends, waded in the creek (called himself a "river-walker"), went for hikes, played in the dirt, and even roasted marshmallows.  I think I was most impressed by his maturity and growing self-confidence when he was wading in the creek.  This is not just any creek, this is mountain snow run-off... so it is always cold, despite the 80+ degree weather.  Ryan was a bit nervous at first, but was soon walking across all by himself (mind you... we're talking knee deep at its deepest, generally speaking ankle deep...and its not fast running  at all this time of year where we were at).  Even when he fell, and his lungs gasped short, sharp breaths due to the extreme chill of the water, he got up, brushed himself off, and continued on... often times even laughing!  I believe the time he spent as a "river-walker" were some of his favorite moments of the weekend (ok, that and Grandma K's cake!!).

Evan did pretty well about half the time.  He enjoyed traipsing through the woods, playing in the dirt with the toys we brought, hitting small plants with sticks... and definitely enjoyed being outside.  Unfortunately he was also experiencing the discomfort that comes along with a molar trying to break through.  Combine that with the fact he is just at a difficult age for camping and there were some not so pleasant times.  So his trip, and in turn my trip, was not as enjoyable as it could have been.  

I'd like to say I had a great time (as that has always been my response in the past), but due to the times Evan was having a hard time, I can say with all honesty that I had a good time with several great moments.  I also got some nice pictures... check them out in the Hymas Photos section.

A New Store??

PetSmart is a large chain of pet stores.  Yesterday, Ryan informed me that there was a new store that took the PetSmart idea in another direction.

Ryan was pretending his froggie (stuffed animal) was a baby.  He was showing me his "baby" and ooh-ing and ahh-ing over how cute he was.  He then asked me if I knew where he came from.  I admitted that I did not know.  "I got him at BabySmart!"  he proudly, yet matter-of-a-factly replied.  I thought this was quite inventive and creative for a 4-year-old and was definitely the bright spot in my day.  

As we talked, I learned more about BabySmart...evidently, where PetSmart sells pets and pet supplies, BabySmart sells babies and baby supplies.  I wonder if the government is aware of this?

(PS...He was able to distinguish that BabySmart is not where he or his brother came from... so he was being purely imaginative)

Cognitive Changes and Relocating

I've been noticing more cognitive changes in both of the boys lately.  Ryan has hit the stage where he really wants to be independent and do things for himself, and truly believes that he is in control.  He enjoys getting himself dressed, putting on his own shoes, getting his own snacks and water, using keys to unlock the front door or the key fob to unlock the car, opening the garage, etc.  I'm sure I could go on for a few pages on all the things he is doing (or wanting to do) for himself lately.  At times this has not worked out so well.  The messes he has made lately trying to do things for himself have been adding up.  Toilet paper all over the floor (and clogging the toilet) and a combination of toothpaste and mouth rinse coating the sink are among the bigger messes.  This is a great stage, and watching him grow like this makes me smile every time despite the frustration I feel from the messes left behind for me to manage.

Evan has been doing more "problem solving" lately.  He is definitely my little climber, and will at least try to climb on anything he can.  He is also continuing to master walking which is his chosen method of mobility these days... tottering and toddling around with his hands stretched out in front of him (we have been calling this his zombie walk) a huge grin on his face and a sparkle of pride in his eyes.  During this past week I noticed him pushing a small chair around that he would then use to climb up to new levels.  Once he pushed it against the couch and was able to climb up onto the couch independently.  Another time I had skillfully placed an object in the middle of the coffee table so it was out of his reach... that is until he pushed the chair up against it.  He is definitely thinking and problem solving how to get to things he can't otherwise reach.   A new level of development for him... HOORAY!!!  

This week we are signing paperwork to close on selling our current house, and also to purchase a new house.  We are pretty much all packed up and ready to move.  Planning to make the big move on Friday...if all continues to go smoothly this week.  We'll then be Camas-ites, or Camasonians... or Camasians???????  Ok... we'll be living in Camas!