I checked two more summits off my 14er's list: Grays and Torreys. Two friends joined me and it made it so much fun. We were on the road by 4 AM and home by 5 PM. Both of them experienced some altitude sickness on the hike. They were tough chicas and kept going. It was ridiculously windy and especially once we were above tree line, not much to block the wind at that point. I read ahead of time that there were a few "snow patches" on the trail. It was more like snow FIELDS. A few times, it felt scary with the wind and slippery footing, but we all made it up and back safely. I ran into one of my cub scouts from years ago on the trail who is now taller than me! Pretty random and funny coincidence.
Just a little snow patch.
Yep, still have my slap-stick humor and couldn't quit laughing about my hiking friends slipping and sliding down the mountain.
We stopped off at BeauJos pizza for a delicious meal on our way home. Loved spending time in the mountains and accomplishing a goal with good friends.
This was the first movie that Myles made sat all the way through from start to finish. We took about a year break with him and movie trips. This was the perfect movie to welcome him back to the theater. :) The kids always enjoy a trip to the movies, complete with our dollar candy we bring with us---such rebels.
It really is that hard to get a pic with 3 kids looking at the same time.
IS HERE! I find that my list of what I'm looking for is changing as my kids get older. I found a few odds and ends, but the big winner was this "Gator" Power Wheel. The kids have played in this a ton, even Luke who is clearly way too big for it. :)
Bryan took the kids one morning while I was at work and they ended up with this game (along with a few other "treasures"). You spin the toilet paper roll that will tell you how many times you need to flush the toilet. The toilet will randomly choose when to squirt water at your face. The kids think it is hilarious. I find the whole idea a little grotesque (even though I know it's tap water-mental block), but will gladly sit at a distance and laugh with them as they play.
One morning, we decided to go to the MAC park. We don't visit this park very often (even though it is close). Luke was palling around with some boys building forts and defending their position with nerf guns. Emma and Myles stuck together and tried out everything the park had to offer. We even wandered over by the pond and fed the fish (hopefully this was allowed). The park, splash pad, incline, zip lines, climbing towers, fields, amphitheater, pond, hiking/biking trails...this is such a great area.
We are spending many days at the neighborhood pools: The Grange and Taft House. There is always a friend to play with for the kids. I pack tons of food that the kids manage to plow through! Myles has found swimming and napping to be the perfect combo. We love these Summer days spent at the pool with friends.
The "babies" sleeping poolside.
(I just gasped! I think this is my FIRST pic of Samantha. Elizabeth had her sweet baby girl in April and I don't think babies come more angelic than this one. She is a beautiful baby that both Emma and I want to hold every day!)
Luke is always on the go at the pool and is getting harder and harder to capture!
Luke has been begging to go to the golf course and hit some golf balls. He inherited kid clubs from his cousin. He loves them, but I frustrate him to no end when I won't let him practice his swing for his 100 yard drives in our backyard with 10 other kids playing at the same time. Bryan attempted a little coaching with Luke and when Luke chose to listen, he hit the ball really well. Myles and Emma hit a few balls, but spent most of their time doing summersaults down the hill and capturing bugs.
We love our little spot by the river. It's the same place we've gone to year after year. I love that we can be "river trash" and not bat an eye. Hours by the river, dressed in our grunge clothes, with food thrown in at the last minute turned out to be another perfect day for our crew.
