Family Vacation to Oroville, Washington - August 2013

 We have just come back from a family vacation to Oroville, Washington.  The city is right on the US/Canada border (Osoyoos, BC is directly north), and the southern end of Lake Osoyoos is on the US side of the border.  Collin rented us a 3-bedroom, 3 bathroom house right on the lake, and we had a great week-long family vacation.

 The boys were constantly in the water.  Collin brought some water toys and floaties, and everyone had a good time.

 Even Finnian was feeling comfortable in the lake, which meant we had to keep a extra super-close watch on him (although the boys were watched at all times).  One day he climbed onto one of the floaties and within 10 seconds was 10 feet away from shore.  Yikes!  I was supervising and saw the whole ordeal so he was safely brought back to shore.

We spent hours in the water.

 We visited the ghost town of Molson, 20 minutes from Oroville.

 The boys ran around exploring the old farm machinery and abandoned buildings. 

An old water pump

 The town bell

 There were old cabins complete with furnishings and fixtures.

 Latham was fascinated by an old wash basin and laundry gizmo.

 Baby Vaughn needed a refreshment break.

 The boys ran from one building to the next, having a good ol' time.

 Ronan playing a teller in the old bank building.

 We also visited the nearby old Molson School (now a museum).  The building was the center of the community when it was built in 1913, so it was more than just a school -   there was also a barber shop on an upper floor as well as the town's post office.

 The three older boys playing school in one of the classrooms.

 Teacher Ronan

 4 brothers on a couch

Ronan is a wonderful helper with Baby Vaughn.

 Auntie Delta arrived on Thursday, and we took her back to Molson.  We also went out for ice cream everyday.  Here she is with the younger two at our favorite ice cream spot.

 Finn-Finn with a bowl of strawberry ice cream that was almost bigger than his head.

 Latham had some ice cream but then his dairy sensitivity acted up so he had M&Ms instead on subsequent ice cream trips.

 Of course Ronan had chocolate.

 Look closely, Mommy and Finnian are wearing sombero sunglasses at Prince's Department Store in Oroville.

Daddy showing the older boys the new work-related project that was alluded to in my Wednesday post.  It's still under wraps, so you'll have to wait for the launch date to find out any more details!