Dad Survived Another High Adventure!

This is the first year that Dad has gone on a Scouting/High Adventure summer trip without any of our boys with him. Monday they traveled to the east side of Mt. Hood, set up camp and went canoing on a nice mountain lake. Dad's group took 2nd place in a competition that ended with Dad having to eat the banana that was used as a baton during the race. We hope Giardia doesn't catch up with him after eating the lake-water soaked banana.

The 2nd day they went white water rafting which was pretty exciting. The 3rd & 4th days we did a 22 mile backpacking hike up a mountain to another lake. Dad did OK but he struggled a bit. --WARNING--The following video contains a scene that may be disturbing to the non-outdoor wimps:

Dad's "Blair Witch Project"

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=47056555359743761&hl=en

The 5th day we did mountain biking. Dad decided not to participate in the ride but helped with a marshmallow blow dart challenge at the half-way point.

Finally, on the 6th day, we went rock climbing. Again, Dad choose not to risk further damage to his aging body and did not participate. We then drove home where Dad found Mom waiting patiently for her man to return. It was a good fun trip but a little different without McKay, Grif or Shay with us.

McKAY LEAVES FOR BOOT CAMP!

Another momentous event happened in the life of the Allen family. On Sunday, July 20th, McKay became the newest member of the Elder's Quorum in our ward when he was ordained an Elder by Dad. It is hard to believe that he is old enough and mature enough to receive the Melchezidek Priesthood. It seems like only yesterday he was ordained a Deacon! Where has the time gone? He also received his Duty to God award that day. He is the first young man from our ward to receive all three awards, Deacon, Teacher and Priest. We are so proud of him.

Saturday night we had a going away party for McKay out at the "compound". Cameron Merritt, his Marine friend, planned it for him and many of this friends were invited. It was fun to BBQ burgers and hot dogs while fighting off the mosquitos. McKay rode his dirt bike for the last time for a while, crashing into a blackberry bush, and returned with many scratches on his neck and arms. He was so PROUD!! The pictures below were taken at the party. It was a fun event.

Later that evening we delivered him to the Holiday Inn by the airport where he spent the night, awaking at 4 AM for his flight to Camp Pendleton in San Diego and Marine boot camp. It was hard to have him leave but he was excited and so we will always support him. He called the next day at 10:27 PM and let mom know that he had made it, when his training starts, when graduation will be (October 17), and that he will write us with the address. "Bye, Mom" were his closing words. The whole speech lasted about 12 seconds. We miss him but he will be home in 90 days and we are counting down every one of them.

A Memorable Week Ahead

Here we are Sunday night preparing for the week. Russ is getting packed to venture out with the older boys on their annual High Adventure. After their 50 mile hike last year, they decided to tone it down a bit. They are going rafting, backpacking, biking, canoeing, and rock climbing. Sounds much simplier! McKay is enjoying his last week home before he heads off to boot camp. He is scheduled to leave next Sunday on the 20th. That will prove to be a big day as well. He is going to be presented in church to be ordained an Elder which will then take place during priesthood. Just a few hours before he leaves for boot camp. The reality of it all is settling in and mom isn't particularly fond of any of it. We realized that he might not be home again for any extended time for a while. He will spend the next year in training and then he will serve his mission. Let's see . . that's three long years. Here is a little of what we'll be missing.

This last Saturday was Abby's last track meeting for the summer. She didn't do as well as she would have liked but it has given her some good goals to work on. After she jumped we stopped off at the National Guard display for Abby to climb the rock wall. It was so fun and she did so well that we took a few pictures.

Below is a video Russ took of Abby jumping.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR GRANDPAS

We have two of the greatest grandpas ever and their birthdays happen to be just within 2 months of each other. So we wanted to pay tribute to two of our favorite grandpas.

Grandpa Winterrose
on May 18

Grandpa Allen
on July 10

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We love you so much and we wish you were here. Here's hoping you both have the best year ever.