Hike into Copperas Pond

At the first break in the weather last week we ran out the door and enjoyed a glorious day hiking into Copperas Pond. I think it was the only day for the last two weeks it did not rain. The sun was in full force, the breeze kept the bugs at bay, and Lennon walked the whole way in! You just can't ask for more. I am not sure how we haven't found this little hike sooner (Alex has been raving for a while, I am glad we took his advice). We found our way around the pond to the leanto and had a little lunch. Josh, the kids, and Bailey went for a quick swim and searched for polywogs.

KINGS OF THE RIVER

And as if that wasn't enough fun, Josh couldn't resisted the temptation of the Ausable River so we pulled off to one of his favorite swimming holes for another quick dip. Lennon made a dam with sticks and the boys went across the river to watch the kids jumping off the rocks.

Go Fish!

This years First Grade production of "Go Fish" was a splashing success..hee, hee, I couldn't help myself! All of the kids worked so hard and did an amazing job. Colton was great as the Tiger Shark and remembered all 30 of his lines. Some of us were in tears with laughter.

Father's day...perfection.

Sunday turned out to be one of those utterly perfect days you just can't forget. The five of us hiked into Marcy Dam under beautiful blue skies and perfect temps. While Lennon was awake she caught loads of toads and a salamander. Colton kept pace with our long legs and built up an appetite to be reckoned with. On the hike out we even stopped along the river for a quick swim. And to wrap it all up we ended the day with dinner at Desperado's (where Colton shoveled in more food than I thought possible) and ice cream at Teddy's. I wish it were Father's Day more often!

Mima, Always in our hearts

After a long fight with cancer Josh's Step-mom (more importantly close friend) passed away last Friday morning. Susan was one of the most amazing women I have ever met and I was proud to be her Daughter-in-law. We miss her dearly.

Climbing up and moving closer

After some pretty depressing weather, we finally got a break...at least for today. It is somewhat a family tradition to climb Mt. Baker at least once a year (not that it's really a mountain but a largish hill), and this year we added Bailey to our troop. Watching Colton and him trekking up the rocky terrain together was joyful. I cannot describe how much of an impact this little guy has made on our family. Lennon can't bear to be away from him for more than a few minutes, and Colton has his new best buddy. Colton and Lennon have always loved to cuddle together, now Bailey gets smooshed in the middle and loves it. And after the kids go to bed, Josh and I get to play with him and spoil him a bit on our own.

In other news, our sprawling extended family just shrunk a bit with my Grandma Mead arriving last week from Arizona. She bought the cutest house in Lake Clear and is waiting for her stuff to arrive by truck tomorrow(hopefully). It is wonderfully odd to have her here and I mean that in a good way. Not since I was a baby and my Mother and I actually lived with her and my Grandpa (while my Dad was at boot camp) have I lived in the same town as my Grandma. (I did live with her for a few months ten years ago, this feels different) It is great to think that she in so close and will get to watch my children and my cousins children grow and just be here with us. Welcome home Grandma and Libby(her utterly adorable little dog)!

Soothing Music

I am a little awed at that fact that my 4-year-old daughter can fit in her Daddy's guitar case, not to mention fall asleep there!!

Fort Clement

Last summer we made a valiant attempt at building a fort for the kids. It never made it further than a platform under a tree at the top of the hill. This summer Josh is the man. Using only lumber left here on the property he has made excellent headway toward the ultimate fort. As you can see from the pictures Dad made sure there is plenty of room for him to play too. Now that Bailey has joined the family he will get his very own "doggy-lean-to" off one side. It has been a great project for the family and Colton has appointed himself official photographer and the above slide show is his first showcase.