Our summer ritual

Just a couple of quick things...tomorrow we leave for our annual campout at the Oregon Coast...we love Fort Stevens, just outside of Warrenton, Oregon.

There is probably no other tradition which so completely defines the Taylor family as camping for a week at the beach. We started going when Geoff was four years old...we haven't missed a single year. With the exception of last year, every year has been with our ward...thirty families or so...lots of kids, dogs, bikes, and NOISE...it is like nothing else in the world....and we love it. I have always maintained that NO ONE enjoyed the ward campout as much as Geoffrey Taylor. From the minute we pulled into our campsite and unloaded his bike, he was off and riding...we sometime saw him for meals, but he was usually out and about until time to retire to the "Jolly Roger," the tent he always shared with Bobby Peru...(that's Bobby Boland who is serving a mission in Peru...we have shortened it to Bobby Peru)

This is the first time we will ever go to Fort Stevens without our boy...and actually I cannot write about it....suffice to say, it breakes my heart to break a tradition, but never fear...we'll be back at it in 2 short years!

Mark and I are on the activities committee and have a lion's share of responsibility for the festivities....we have a lot planned but Mother Natuer is bent out of shape at me, apparently.....it's pouring rain and the forecast is for more of the same for the entire weekend.....nothing puts a damper on things like a dampener.....seriously.

BUT!!! We will perservere,rain or shine......bcause that's how the Taylor's roll.......especially during shine when one is free to pay homage to the Sun God.......like I always say..."To each his own, right????"

I'll let you know how it goes...we come back on Saturday night (another break with tradition) as I am teaching Relief Society on Sunday.....and THAT is is great story I'll share with you later...