Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Holden Village

I grew up going to Holden Village, a Lutheran retreat center in the Cascade Mountains that was once an old mining town. It's quite an adventure getting to Holden--a four-hour drive to Lake Chelan, a three-hour boat ride up the lake, and then a 45 minute bus ride to the village. We left our house at 5am and arrived in the village by 1pm just in time for lunch. Still it's worth the trip just to be in such a beautiful place.

We went to Holden because I was invited to join the faculty of Trinity Lutheran College (where I teach) on their annual faculty retreat. I have to admit that I went partly to be part of that faculty group and also partly because I love Holden and my children had never been there.

Anyhow, it was a great three days at Holden. We'll definitely go back. The kids loved the freedom of running around the village, hiking the trails, spending the morning hours playing in Narnia (the childcare, school part of Holden), and getting to know a host of new friends. Seems like just a few years ago that I was at Holden doing the same thing.

Here are some pictures from our days in that beautiful place.
Here are the kids riding the Lady of the Lake II from Field's Point to Lucerne on Lake Chelan.
Two smiling kids after their first fun day at Holden. I love how the walls in the lodges are all wood. The beds were really comfortable too.
And they are still smiling after a few days in the village. This is the porch swing on Lodge 4, where we stayed.
We LOVED our time at Holden and hope to return there soon.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Maya's 5th Birthday

On Wednesday, June 2, we celebrated Maya's 5th birthday. It's hard to believe our girl is five years old already. How the years fly by!

Here is the birthday girl on her last night as a four-year old. 
 Daddy designed her cake, as he does every year. Maya's theme this year was "Carousel Horse." I think Aaron did a great job, don't you?
Sam got in on some of the excitement too. He even got his own present to open as Maya opened hers. Don't you wait, Sam. Your birthday is in just a few weeks too.



 
 Boy, oh, boy, we have two very smiley kids. Parties are like nothing else when you are little. I actually still remember my 5th birthday party (and I have pictures to prove it).




 

Maya opens presents as her friend Angelina supervises. That ribbon looks hard to get off.
Even Mama gets a picture with the Birthday Girl. Happy 5th Birthday, Maya Grace!

Silly Mr. Sam

We have the silliest boy in our family. His name is Sam. Sam is silly, and Sam smiles all the time. Except when he's being grumpy. But that's not often, thank goodness.