A Flatlanders Oasis

The livelihood of many, in the area where I live, depends upon farming. That is reflected and easily seen in the land. We see the beauty of growing grains and goldening harvests all around us.

It does mean, however, that the landscape tends to be a bit on the flat side. Which is ideal for growing crop, but not all that unique or breathtaking, most of the time.

We recently had the privilege of viewing what can be called no less than God's handiwork. We took a camping trip with family and friends to a place no more than a few hours away. To a hidden, at least to most, oasis. A flatlanders paradise. My pictures do not do justice to the beauty that our eyes beheld, but hopefully it is represented in a small way for you all.

My parents

Why is it so difficult to get six people all looking normal at one time,

or maybe this is our normal

Nicholas observing the creek, Andrew observing Nicholas

Has anyone seen Andrew?

Notice the name of this trail....yeah, pretty appropriate I would say

How many kids do can you find?

Gramps and Gram keep a close eye on big D while rock climbing

Kate and Fiona take a break

They loved hiding in the crevices

Hello up there!

It was just so gosh darn beautiful

We tried to keep the kids dry, but those darn dads....

Family shot

It's all good until he pushes me over

Look at my mighty man!

An upward climb for Kate

Kurt by the balancing rock

Quite a crew, isn't it?

While folding clothes with Olivia:

Sheepishly and giggling as she folds daddy's unmentionables, "Mom, I see the pee hole on dad's boxers."

"Yep. You sure do." I reply casually.

"Why do boys need a pee hole in their underwear?", she thoughtfully asks.

Not really sure where this is headed, I answer, "So they can go to the bathroom."

"Why can't they just pull their underwear down, like girls have to?"

Speechless.

I did not think that she would discover so soon, that the world is a very unfair place. And everything is easier when you are a guy.

Here it is in pictures

I could not possibly cover all that we have been up to over the past few weeks. As I mentioned in a previous post, we have been doing a lot of nothing. But loving every minute of it.

My brother's daughters stayed for a visit after the Fourth of July camping weekend. In that time we packed every moment full of family fun and adventure. The girls spent countless hours playing, giggling, and sharing secrets. And somewhere in there we also took in ball game, cooled off in the pool, hiked at the State Park, visited the Falls Park, and road tripped to Storybook Land.

Having the girls was such a pleasure. They are amazing little women and I was filled with joy watching my family interact with them. Thank you Shane and Dawn for sharing them with us.

I do not want to waste any time trying to relive it all in words. So here it is in pictures. Enjoy.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

You'd think I was doing something important....

...with all this time away from blogging. Well, I guess I am.

Here it is, 10:07 pm on a Tuesday evening and I am miles from home at my parents' house listening to Nicholas make Andrew giggle as they wait for me to tuck them in with kisses and bedtime prayers. Off on another summer adventure, as we plan to take in a road trip with grandma and the cousins.

In all this time off I would love to share with you the many accomplishments I have made in home organization, painting projects, and overall domesticity. Not the case. I have been running hither and yon, to and fro, snapping many pictures and trying to soak up every special memory being made as I refuse to acknowledge that it is the middle of July and school bells will be ringing long before I am willing to send them off in back packs and new shoes.

I have been watching my oldest on the ball field, feeling overwhelming pride in his obvious talents, and overwhelming frustration in his tough criticism of himself. I have been watching my sweet Olivia spend priceless hours of playtime with her cousin, whom she sees far to little of. Hearing them share in intimate stories and secrets that will forever be remembered between the two. I have been laughing with Katharine as she splashes and soaks herself in the pool and begs me to get wet too. I have been tossing balls, being what he calls his 'coach', to my baby as he practices hitting them like a big boy, showing all the signs of the athletic talent found in his older brother.

I have not been all that busy with important stuff. But all of this unimportant stuff sure takes a lot of time. And that I have....time that is. Time for them.

How many Pollacks does it take to set up a tent?

I suffer from temporary bouts of insanity. Moments where I seem to completely disregard all consequence or inconvenience while overcome with the elation felt in having a good idea (that could be debated sometimes) and a plan.

I am a planner. I am an idea girl. Those are my strengths. I know, only two, kind of sad is it not? But at least I can identify them.

Along with being a planner and an idea girl comes the need to organize events or gatherings that are completely insane. For example, a Latunski family camping trip. Why I feel the need to be the instigator, organizer, emailer, collector of funds, and overall pain in the arse to all, is a mystery. I think that I have played this role for such a length of time, however, that my family just sits patiently and awaits my direction. And if receiving none, feels no obligation whatsoever, to get the ball rolling without my input.

Christmases, Thanksgivings, big birthday's, camping, pictures....HeidiJoWhatDoYouKnow will get it done.

Like I said, these are my strengths, so with the loving family from which I come, they are simply nurturing me. I think. Or patronizing me. But I choose to keep a positive perspective on this to avoid the bills of therapy.

I digress. Over the Fourth of July we had a Latunski Family Camping Trip. Five campers, one tent, 12 children under ten, a plethora of food, six couples Olympic events, a boat and tube, and more Pollacks than should ever be allowed out in public at one time, later....and I am pretty certain fun was had by most.

So here is a compilation of pictures for my family's viewing pleasure. And any of those who are curious as to the insanity that I aforementioned. Enjoy.

Oh yes, the answer to the title question: Twelve. Two to set it up and ten to see how loudly they can give direcitons.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com