Booked!!!!

Meg and I always need to have a vacation to look forward to and we have been agonizing over not having a plan since we got back from Mazatlan. We couldn't decide on anything although we priced out destinations all over the world. We had tentatively decided on a family trip to Disneyworld in August but we kept delaying buying tickets because we are afraid of Florida August heat.

The discussion took a U turn this weekend and we instead bought tickets to England for just Meg and I for mid August. We are going to spend a weekend in London and see cousin Haley's wedding party and then we will take another week to drive around England and maybe Scotland.

We still felt guilty about leaving the kids out of a family trip (although we took them to Mexico in March and Europe last summer). So...last night, we booked a December trip to Disneyworld. It should be a lot cooler although it is going to be crowded because of the holidays.

Next, I need to book our Seahawk trip to Chicago in October. Last year I took Jess to an away game in Arizona so this year, it is going to be just Joe and I to see the Bears in Soldier Field.

As for what is coming up in the Nyland house. Last night was Joe's honor choir concert, Tonight is Jess' last middle school band concert. We don't know what we are doing this weekend but we might end up at the beachhouse. Next weekend we are going on a family backpack trip at the ocean. Then....schools out!!!

Memorial Day Poetry Slam

Rainy weekend with the whole family at the beach house. We did have a lot of fun reading, cooking and just hanging out. We finished decorating a pinata and then broke it. We went to the Taste of Kitsap in Port Orchard although it was a little disappointing. The highlight of the weekend was the 2nd annual Poetry Slam. Everyone could either read a favorite poem or write a new one. Many prizes were given out and Meg got the blue ribbon for her original and I (Bill) came in 2nd for my original poems. here they are below

Nana's hair by Meg Nyland

Nana's hair gets everywhere
After a weekend at the beach
Long strands cling like a leach
A fond reminder of time together
A family bond that will last forever

Long, shimmering silvery white
It won't give up without a fight
Whipers filament, strong but light
It's so strong, you could fly a kite

Nana loves all her boys
She gives them kisses, cookies and toys
But what we bring home after a week with her
Sticks to us stronger than any burr
Her love of family is strong but not coy

Nana's hair gets everywhere


Memorial Day 2010 by Bill Nyland

A rainy Memorial Day for two thousand ten
That doesn't mean we won't do it again
Our family as usual gathered on Stretch Island
Friends and Grandmas and many a Nyland

Grandpa led the effort to get firewood
We stacked it and helped as much as we could

King Max spent Saturday designing his new crown
The subjects of his kingdom would not be let down

Lois cleaned kitchens and did a big puzzle
Genny knitted something that wasn't a muzzle

Megs' new Kindle took most of her time
She worried about Sunday because she can't rhyme

Saturday brought a visit from Seth, Bello and Achem
Bello's mischeivious smile will not be forgotten

Bob and Janet joined us for dinner on Saturday
The good food and wine meant a return on Sunday

Video Games almost captured Henry and Jess
A trip to Port Orchard made them miss them much less

Gerrit led the effort on a big clam dig
He also made Sushi and Bill ate like a pig

Henry loved the pancakes at the firehouse
Friendly the clown's balloons made him not quiet as a mouse

A campfire and smores were desired by Malik
The racy conversation was not for the meek

Our star of the stage this week was Joe
The Wizard of Oz did not eat his clams slow

Sarah and her parents arrived a little late
Opening of the wine bottles would not wait

Nana's poetry contest was just before dinner
The contest was rigged if I am not the winner

Overall we have mastered fun on the island
Another great weekend to be a Nyland

Wizard of Oz

In addition to Jess being the rock star today, Joe was our acting star. He played Oz in the Wizard of Oz and did a great job. He spent months preparing for this and we are very proud of his hard work

Innocent Bystander

Jess' band played today at the Kilo Middle School Talent Show. They did a pretty good rendition of "Rock you like a Hurricane" by the Scorpions. They are all excited want to play another show. Maybe at the 8th grade graduation...

Arrow of Light

On Friday night, Joe received his Arrow of Light and crossed over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. We had the ceremony at Camp Kilworth and Jess was part of the Indian Ceremonies team. It went really well and we escaped without getting rained on. We are very excited to finally be done with Cub Scouts and now we just have 1 night per week of scouts. Joe will now be in Troop 366 with Jess.

Stupid Snake Tricks

It was really hot on Saturday and at the Ancient Lakes, there isn't many places to get away from the heat. After dinner it cooled down quite a bit and the scouts wanted to play Capture the Flag. The adults were exhausted from the heat so we stayed in camp. That was mistake #1.

A couple of years ago, we had seen rattlesnakes in this area. When it cools down, the snakes come out. The boys knew this but they found a field to play on that didn't have many rocks so they thought they wouldn't see many snakes. Half way through the game, one of the boys found a snake. Instead of running away, he decides to use it as armour so he can go get the other guys flag without anyone getting near him. Mistake #2.

Luckily the rest of the boys yelled that it was a bad idea to run with a "diamondback". Unfortunately, another boy decides that this snake must die and pounds it with a stick. Mistake #3.

The snake is stunned and the boys think it is dead. They then pick it up with a stick and decide to bring it back to camp and show the adults. Mistake #4.

About this time, I head over to the field to check up on the guys. They show me the "dead" snake that they "found dead". After taking a couple of pictures, it looks to me like it is alive. They set it on the ground and it tries to slither away. One of the scout masters says it is a bull snake AKA gopher snake which isn't venemous but that doesn't mean it isn't the stupidist stunt that I have seen this troop involved in.

Worn out

I am now up to 160 miles of biking for the month. I also just got back from a scout backpack trip to the ancient lakes. My body is feeling a little sore and I got some sort of eye infection that I think was from too much heat and sun in Eastern Washington last weekend. I get a little break this week because of dentist appts on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons that will make me skip a couple of days of riding. I should still be able to make my goal of 250 miles this month.

This weekend, Joe will be graduating into Boy Scouts on Saturday night at Camp Kilworth. He did a great job on his first Boy Scout backpack last weekend. I will download the pictures tonight.