Repairs and Exploration

Michael designated today to be a day to work on repairs. Nothing big - little things rattle loose or need tending to. The top  of our board shows repairs and fixes in the works and the bottom half show things we'd like to do before we leave this area in 2 weeks and 2 days. 

Last week he repaired the toilet seal - today he found the silicon grease to lubricate the new seal. I suspect I need to find a bleach free toilet cleaner as the seal is plastic and that may be why it gave out.

One night I flipped on the bathroom fan and heard a LOUD, CRACKING sound....every plastic blade on the overhead fan had shattered. The new fan is now installed and working well.

We twisted the awning's arm our first trip out - in 2007. Michael took it apart today to see if it could be welded or if he should buy a new arm. Then he put it back together until the new arm arrives. It will be fantastic to have an awning....if we aren't near wind, rain and tornadoes.

We have some special stabilizers Michael installed....and they worked well. However, 7 1/2 months of full-timing and we're noticing a lot of movement....it feels a  like 5.4 quake when Nolan rolls over at night. ::snort:: Michael has been considering the next step. We really don't want to  put a lot of money into this trailer as we save for a new rig. Michael borrowed some jack stands from Dad and put them under the frame by the wheels. It helps - a lot. So we'll be buying some jack stands this week.

7 1/2 months and the command hooks over the stove are falling off the wall. Michael checked to see what sort of clearance there is between the side of the wall by the stove and the fridge. Enough that he's comfortable putting screws in for a more permanent fix.  I hang utensils and hot pads etc from the hooks.

While he visited RV supply stores and did repairs, the kids did table school (year round duty), Nolan had Japanese Lessons, we finished up Joni  and I baked bread. I decided we'd be home long enough for me to try to do 6 loaves - 3x the normal baking day in the Caboose.

Fake out bread ::wink::

It takes a lot of time to grind wheat  for a triple load of baking with the vitamix....but I was juggling all well. I had two loaves in the oven....and the second bath of dough was ready to be shaped when I realized my error. I only have TWO bread pans in the caboose (and no cookie sheets)....because that's all that will fit in the oven.  Thanks for the suggestions on the Facebook page. I ended up making three free form fake out loaves. Michael was excited to see sourdough bread - but it's not. ::snort::

The Caboose was like a giant oven after having the oven at 375 for hours of baking.....after dinner we headed out to explore the area. We took a new road and found ourselves at Mill Creek Park.....

Bird watching and um...people watching too

We headed over to Island Park - we'll have to do this in an afternoon. It's a very relaxing spot. 

It's been a great day. We're ending the night with a game or two of Flashpoint. 

Uncle Josiah Meets Bella

Our family has a couple of traditions when a new baby is born. 1. the baby gives all the siblings a gift when he/she comes home and 2. the siblings bake a "birthday" cake and bring it to the hospital to share on their first visit to see and hold the new baby. 

Knowing Josiah was coming down today, Bre suggested we bring the cake over Krista had made earlier. 

Izaak, Bre and Bella

Uncle Josiah meets Bella

Bella is 5 days old

 We took some baby leg pictures just for "Aunty" Beth

Sweet times

 Aunt Krista was happy to sneak in a bit of loving time too. LOL 

Surprise at Church

Look who surprised us at church today in OR - he lives in WA. We knew he was swinging down to meet Bella...but he heard Michael was preaching at Krista's church today and when we walked in....there he was! 

Arielle and Cory snuck in too.....This photo is TERRIBLY out of focus....but I want to remember the funny moment....we'll just have to have a redo next Sunday. ::snort:: I motioned to these two I wanted to take a picture and they both moved out of the way at the same time, leaving me to take a photo of the back wall of the church. ::snort::   Cory has now met the first of the three older brothers. ::wink:: 

Mom, Dad, and Lorri - joined all of us - and we went to a little Chinese place for lunch. 

Some of my best surprises involve this boy of mine! 

Bella's First Saturday

She has stolen our hearts! Bella sports the hat Auntie Stacia knitted for her and one of the outfits we purchased.

All her little systems began working well today - and just look at those bright eyes.

Tea, Walks and Advice

We left the horse show early because Beth (Nadia, Elizabeth - Nate and Heather's daughter, our niece) is in town for the weekend. Krista joined us for a tea party at Moms.  We were surprised to see that Stacia has gotten taller than Beth. 

Beth and Stacia

 It was great to have an hour or so to catch up! 

Mom, Lorri (cousin), Sam, Beth, Stacia, Krista

I got a text from Michael at 4 something asking me how things were going. He needed to run to an RV supply store. We ran back to the Caboose and I crashed.  This is what you do if you LOVE Monopoly and can't get anyone to play with you.

Saturday's are breakfast for dinner night - per Nolan's suggestion and the ratification of the remaining Gherkins.  Michael and I went for a walk around the campground after dinner. We stopped to help a lady who is having odd electrical issues with her trailer. She was excited to hear we'd be camp hosts in ID this summer.....she DID say we'll be the youngest camp hosts they have and not to be alarmed if our poker partners go face down. Um......armed with this advice I guess we're ready to host. 

Harmony Rides Again

Stacia and I were up at the showers at  0730 to make sure we would be ready and across town by 0900. A slight course adjustment found us at the old barn where Will used to board his horses as a child. Today we came to watch his granddaughter, Harmony, compete. Harmony began lessons at 4 and at 6 was the youngest one competing in English riding. She also competed in Western riding, but we had to leave before we could watch that.

Pattern Work 

Harmony and Stacia

It's amazing to watch Harmony on the big horses. She's six now, can you imagine her at 4?  She has a great time with them.

Sherri, Harmony and Will

Ribbons when we left

Harmony's totals for the day: three 1sts, one 2nd, one 3rd, one 4th and two reserved. AND she had a great time, built confidence and excitement to continue lessons! Win, win, win! 

Wow - today's haul!

It was a blast to be part of Harmony's first horse show! We saw a house I'd love to buy as we drove out, too! LOL No, we aren't ready to settle down....but it is a beautiful home!

#WYFF ~ School, Caching & Grandblessings

First, on this "Where's Your Feet Friday," we finished our Tapestry of Grace year plan! We finished six weeks ahead of schedule....our hard work the past 4 1/2 months have paid off. We will continue with some table work throughout the summer, but will be switching to more hands on experiences and exploration for the rest of the school year. 

We wanted to celebrate the end of the year so we looked up some local geocaches. This would have been a great area to explore if it weren't for the cars zipping past rather quickly. 

Michael and Nolan searched for the cache while we walked the dog and took photos. We tried to look nonchalant but I have no logical reason for these two and there actions to the casual passerby.  

BreZaak called and suggested we stop by to visit. Dakota was coming over, as well.  We were happy for the chance to see Dakota and Bella.

Bre and Bella

Big Brother Dakota and Bella

Bella's gift for Dakota

Grandpa Mike got to hold Bella. We all enjoyed connecting with Dakota and we were off to pick up some mail at Arielle and Krista's.  Nolan went with Krista to play games with some of her friends.

We four came home to watch, "The Force Awakens."

#WYFF is sponsored by Fulltime Families. View more of our Friday exploits by clicking the #WYFF tab above.