The Most Important Thing.....

This weekend on Friday and Saturday, Ron and I took the ferry to the San Juan Islands with our daughter Jenni, her husband Will and their son Preston. Will had entered an Ultra Marathon (I think that is what it is called) where you not only run the specified miles (50 k), but the course is over state park trails, which goes up and down mountains, through the snow covered hillsides and around the lakes, on Orcas Island. I must admit, I don't understand what drives people to run up and down the mountains. But, there was over 250 people who entered into the race, coming from all over the country.

It was raining as we left Camano Island and as we boarded the ferry. But as we reached Orcas Island, the rain and fog started to lift, promising a better day for Saturday, the day of the race. Will had found a cabin to rent at Doe Bay, that would fit the five of us. It had a small kitchen which enabled us to cook our own meals. We fixed a nice pasta and salad dinner and tried to load Will up on carbohydrates to help him be ready for the long day ahead. We wanted to bake some brownies for dinner, but the kitchen wasn't equipted to do much baking, so we improvised a pan out of tin foil. It was an adventure in creativity, that's for sure!

After dinner we bundled Preston up and all took a walk down to the beach and along the shoreline within the boundaries of our campground/resort. The sky had cleared, the water was calm and the sun warmed the mountains tops in the distance. It was a beautiful evening.

Preston had so much attention from grandma and grandpa, that I'm sure we spoiled him rotten. Everytime you looked at him, he would smile and just melt your heart. He and grandpa had a little game that they would play with their fingers, and Preston would grin from ear to ear and giggle. Of course that would make grandpa giggle too!

The next morning, we drove Will to the race's starting point and got him checked in. We drove around for a while, and then met Will at the first checkpoint that we were able to meet him at. He looked like he was having a great time, and was making better time that he thought he would.

While we waited for the next check point, we drove into the town of East Sound, and bought some lunch, and then drove to the top of Mt. Constitution to eat our picnic. I never get tired of the view as you drive to the top of the mountain.......you can see all the San Juan Islands and a great deal of the mainland with the Cascade Mountain Range. To say it was breath-taking, wouldn't even come close to doing it justice. There was still snow on the side of the roads at the higher elevation, so it was a bit chilly outside, but the panoramic vista was worth it. We bundeled Preston up good.......how can you not help but love that little mug?

At 2:00 Jenni had to take Ron and I to the ferry dock, so we could catch the 2:55 ferry back to Anacortes so we were unable to see Will finish the race. (but he tells us that he was pleased with how he did.) We got there just 10 minutes before the ferry left. Preston was going to go home with us, so Jenni and Will could spend another night on the island. This was the first time that they had ever left Preston with anyone for more than a couple of hours. I was wondering how Jenni was going to handle it being away from Preston for so long. Well, to make a long story short, she cried when we left.

Preston, on the other hand, was having a great time getting spoiled by grandma and grandpa. I carried him in a baby pack called a Baby Bjorn, which he absolutely loves to get packed around it. He loves to always be on the move and see everything there is to see. He charmed (and flirted) with several people on the ferry. (every time one of the ferry crew came by, he would always stop and talk to Preston......how could anyone pass up a smile like that?)

The next morning was Sunday, and since I play the organ for church, it was going to be a challenge to figure out how to watch Preston and play the organ too. But grandpa came to the rescue.......he came to our ward meetings so he could help me out, which he is not able to do very often, because of his heavy church responsibilities. (I think that it was really an excuse so he could show Preston to everyone there!) Preston was so good in church.....he just played quietly with a toy, and smiled at everyone.

Will and Jenni missed their scheduled ferry, but finally made it home around 9:00 pm Sunday evening. (the ferries don't wait for anyone, just in case you didn't know that.....) By this time, Preston was perfectly content to be with grandma and grandpa, but as soon as mom and dad walked through the door, he lit up like a lightbulb.

Even though we didn't do anything fancy, or go very far from home, we spent time together as a family, which is the most important thing we can ever do. When all is said and done, all that is really left is what matters most......your family. I sure love mine!