The Olympic Games Have Begun!!
And in the mean time, the USA swim team is AWESOME and they made this video, which is REALLY... fantabulous of them!
Go Team USA !!!
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| So, we decided to go to Lake Tahoe. After living 3.5 hours away for 11 years, we finally spent some time around the vacation destination of the state. |
We usually eat very well while staying in the woods, and this camping trip was no different. We had pancakes, fruit, plum cobbler, fruit, Mama Oldani's pasta, fruit, bean stuff, fruit, biscuits and gravy, fruit, and again, more fruit.
After much debate about who was sleeping in which tent, the 5 kids stayed in the "Horrendous Tent" while Mom and Dad occupied the "Great and Spacious... tent" (aka the Hobbitat). Above, from left to right are Eliza, Tess, and Luke (Marta and Levi had already risen, and were shining at the time this picture was taken.)
We arrived in Tahoe on Sunday, and after going to church, we spent the day around the campground exploring and napping. On Monday the real fun began with a short walk down the Rainbow Trail.
Levi couldn't keep his hands to himself, so he got to hold Mom's.
Marta, Dad, Luke, and Levi biked to our various destinations while Mom, Eliza, and Tess took Babe (our 15 passenger blue van aka Babe the Big Blue Ox)
On the shores of Lake Tahoe
After going down the Rainbow Trail, we investigated the Tallac Historic Site, a collection of old vacation homes that belonged to some very wealthy people a century or so ago. When we could take the heat no longer, we jumped into the lake.
We had a grand time in the crystal clear lake, even if some of us (cough Marta) got very badly sun burnt...
Levi basked on the shore.
Camp dishes are a lot more entertaining than dishes at home. Maybe because there are fewer...
Our young boy scout attended to the campfire.
We like practicing good hygiene while camping, which means brushing teeth!
Again with the biking everywhere we went.
And with the whole Mom-Tess-and-Eliza-sit-in-the-car.
(Mom did bike, but discovered she has a limited capacity for bike seats)
(Mom did bike, but discovered she has a limited capacity for bike seats)
On Tuesday we spent the day biking, and playing in the lake- Marta and Eliza went Parasailing in a parasail much like this one, while Mom, Dad, Luke, Tess, and Levi took some jetskis out on the waves! Sorry we don't have any pictures- our camera is not water-friendly...
And with the car full of camping gear and tired kids, we headed home.
EEEAAARRCCCHHH!! Back up a few days.
Over the weekend Marta, Tess, and Levi participated in the annual TCA swim invitational. Everyone swam well: Tess whupped at the 500 freestyle, Marta got 2nd in her age group for her 200 backstroke, and Levi improved in every one of his events!
Below, Levi is diving off the blocks (he's in the black and orange swimsuit with the TCA cap)
One of the benefits of living in a small town with a small town paper is that we get
some good coverage. Here's the quote from our local "Union Democrat."
The Houghton siblings proved that swimming fast is in their blood, dropping a combined six minutes over the course of two days. Levi, 12, led the group, taking 58 seconds off his 200 freestyle (2:44.30). Tess wasn’t far behind, with a 50-second personal record in her 500 freestyle (6:11.73). Marta also impressed in her 200 IM (2:40.24) and 200 backstroke (2:25.40)
Lots of things have been happening!
- Luke leaves for college in about 2 weeks
- Marta and Tess are beginning to feel the pressure for summer homework
- Summer Water Polo has finished up, but Fall water polo starts in a couple of weeks!
- Life goes on ...
AND WATCH THE OLYMPICS!!
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