These last three months have been wonderful, getting to spend time with Steph, Mike and grandsons, watching the boys play baseball, soccer and even football, has been time we will treasure. We could not have asked for better weather either... we have enjoyed a good summer.
Last half of August and beginning of September was full of activity. We had a lot of fun at the Kitsap County fair. Normal stuff, animals, rides and food. But two things stood out.... we shared a deep fried Klondike ice cream bar, and we learned what it felt like to be a hamster in a clear plastic ball. 
You get into a deflated plastic ball that is then inflated to a size big enough to stand up in......if you can. The ball floats in a large swimming pool of about 18" of water and the challenge is to try and stand up, and make the ball move around, bumping into other balls. Joshua, Jonathan and Jayden were able to do flips, and even walk the ball around. The sign says there is enough air for 30-60 minutes depending upon activity. Well, after about 5 minutes in the ball, I was exhausted trying to stand up and wanted out. But grandma DID get in and try.
We were also able to help Joshua meet a goal he set this summer to get on TV at a Mariners games. Jim and Suzanne, the boys other grandparents, had tickets to a Mariners game they were not going to be able to use, so we were invited to take the boys. Not only did we see a winning game against Los Angeles, but both Jonathan and Joshua got baseballs and Joshua got on TV. Steph and Mike taped the game and have it for posterity.The highlight of this last month was my 65th birthday which turned into a family reunion of the Johnson family here at Belfair State Park. My sister, brother and I had not been together for 19 years. My brother Harry and his wife Mary came up from Arizona to visit their son Jeff and his family and they were all there, Joe and Alex came over from Spokane, D'enne, Micheal and Matthew came up from Oregon, my sister Janice and her family were there and of course Steph, Mike, Jayden, Jonathan and Joshua. We had a professional photographer taking pictures, making it a day full of perfect weather, laughter, food, a rock skipping contest and of course a water fight between all of the cousins.
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| The extended Johnson family |
Another trip we took was a ride up to Crystal Mountain, outside of Enumclaw Wa. This is a ski resort in the winter, but during the summer it has a great gondola ride up to the top, about 6,400ft, for a spectacular view of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, and Mt. St. Helens. After our gondola ride, we visited Sunrise Scenic view point in the Rainer National Park for another perspective of Mt. Rainer.
We have made some great friends here in the park. This park has been one of our most fun hosting experiences. The rangers are a hoot, very interactive and the hosts here love to party. We would like to come back next year, but the time we have requested may not be available to us. We will have to wait and see.
Next year is a long time off, and our plans are always subject to change. If the price of gas drops, plan B is not to host, but to head east and see more of this country.
We head next to Spokane to spend time with our newest grandson due on September 22nd. Pictures on our next post.