Camping Trip

We took our first camping trip in over a year.  The kids were awesome!  We spent the weekend with Jon and Michelle doing some hiking, exploring, s'more making and enjoying the great outdoors. 

 Sean and Mikayla loved the tent and enjoyed playing in it together.  Ethan actually got this tent before we were even engaged.  The kids were a little rough on it this trip but I think it has a few more camping trips in it. 

 Mikayla on her first hike.  I'm not sure she knows what to think about this. 

 Sean with apple in hand enjoying the view on our hike. 

 Sailor Lake, a rewarding end to our hike. 

The trail to Sailor Lake trail head was up a pretty rough Jeep trail.  Luckily Jon and Michelle recent purchase of a new Jeep made it easy for us to get there.  Even with the rough trail Mikayla was worn out by the hike and fell asleep on the ride back to camp.  Guess she is like me, I used to fall asleep anywhere, especially when riding with Dad in the tractor. 

 Sean's flower he picked for me and brought back from a hike he took with Ethan, Jon and Michelle.

There were some amazing flowers at Sailor Lake that I have never seen before. These flowers were purple and blue and so vibrant in color.  I couldn't get a good picture of them. 

 

 These little pink flowers were on a ground cover of sorts but were beautiful pink. 

 This is a tell tale sign that Indiana isn't a puppy anymore.  For anyone that knows Indiana he loves to chase light and loves bubbles.  A fire is his favorite thing because he actually chases the embers when they come off the logs. We can't keep him away from it no matter how hard we try.  This trip he actually curled up next to the fire because he was so tired. 

 Sean wanted to play a game so Ethan gave him our mini shovel and told him to start digging for treasure.  While Sean wasn't looking Ethan buried some coins and put an X to mark the spot.  Sean really enjoyed playing Jake and the Neverland Pirates and keeping him treasure away from Captain Hook.  After that he dug holes and laid his dinosaurs eggs (pine cones).  He literally squatted over the hole and dropped the pine cones into the hole, we got a kick out of that. 

 I'm not sure what this face was about.

 By day 3 Sean was exhausted and actually fell asleep in the camp chair. 

 Sean still sleeping in the camp chair.  Even through a chain saw, cars moving, starting a fire and us all talking. 

 Gold panning lesson down by the river.  Of course Sean and Mikayla loved the water it was so cold but Mikayla still enjoyed playing in it. 

Papa Rons' Birthday

Last weekend we went to Whitehall to celebrate Papa Ron's birthday.  Sean had fun playing with Hope and having a water fight with Papa Ron.  Mikayla enjoyed playing in the pool and riding on the swing. It was a wonderful weekend spent celebrating a wonderful husband, father and grandpa. 

 Sammy trying to get a better look at the food on the counter. 

Odds & Ends

 Riding the elk at Sportsman's Warehouse

 I didn't think it was possible but she may love water more than Sean does.

 We took Sean to see How to Train Your Dragon 2.  He got to get his picture taken with Hiccup and Toothless but he was a little shy. 

 Mikayla love the pinwheels Grandma Barb bought for her birthday.  They are in my flower pots in the front and she likes to take them out and try to make they turn. 

Sean's Shinanigans

Sean spends most of his days in the back yard with the neighborhood kids.  Sometimes I think this is what neighborhoods must have looked like in the 50's and 60's and other times I would welcome a little silence:)

Grandma Barb took a much deserved week off this week and so the kids went to Deb's house for the week.  I think Sean and her enjoyed spending time together again, but Deb was surprised at how curious and busy Mikayla is.

The preschool Sean was going to 2 days a week closed last month so we are in search of another preschool.  I like him to have a few days a week to interact and learn with other kids.  Plus it gives Mom a few days with only Mikayla and Finn when he is here. 

During his last visit with Papa Ron and Grandma Linda Sean found a cool new cowboy hat at a garage sale. I would say John Wayne approved.  

Misadventures of Mischievous Mikayla

Mikayla had discovered her shadow and thought it was pretty cool. 

 So Mikayla has this interesting habit.  If you change her diaper she INSISTS on taking the diaper out to the garbage.  She is so smart and fast to learn that she learned in one trip with Mom holding her to take the diaper out that the diapers go in the garbage.  Now if you do not let her do it she gets very upset with you. She amazes me at what she understands even though she can't communicate outside of pointing at this point.  If you talk to her and ask her to do something she knows exactly what you are saying and will do it.  If I tell her "time to go upstairs and a take a bath" she heads right to the stairs (she is a pro at climbing and descending now) into the bathroom and starts to get undressed.  Sometimes it is so hard to believe that she is only 14 months old!

Happy Birthday America

We went to Hysham for the holiday weekend and have decided that we are going to make it an annual tradition.
Sean got to help Papa Jim stack some hay bales.  He was shocked at how the hay bales got on the back of the pick up.  Papa Jim said Sean asked him what they were doing and he told him stacking hay bales on the back of the pickup.  He said there aren't any hay bales on the back of the pick up but then he looked and there were he said "How did that get there!!!"

Hysham still has their 4th of July parade so Sean got to have his first parade experience.

Waiting patiently in the hot for it to start. Sean was shy an didn't want me to take his picture.

Here we go!  Candy!!

Uncle Kyle was a big help.

See the bag full of yummy candy!

The awesome garage sale find that Larisha got for when Sean and Mikayla come to visit. 

Watching Uncle Kyle grow "snakes"

Fireworks!! Hooray, hooray!

It was hot!!  Sean and I cooled off on the front step with some Otter Pops.

The kids really enjoy spending time with Larisha.  I think she is pretty fond of them as well.

Mikayla was a little cranky I think she was getting some more teeth.  They give her such a hard time.  She has also gotten very strong headed about feeding herself.  After the 3rd time of trying to feed her yogurt I just gave up and let her have the spoon and cup.  Needless to say she got a bath after this.