our 4th

we had a Happy 4th of July!

The weather was pleasantly hot and the sun was shining!  

No bbq for us.  In fact we had sushi for dinner (this is a free country).

Marshall worked, like usual.

Rolli, Vivian and me just chilled in the morning.

By the time afternoon rolled around we were ready for some cooling water fun!

Splash Pad here we come!

Michelle joined us for the splashin' around and we ran into some familiar play-mates too. 

Otto showing Rolli what it's all about.

It was our first time here.

Look what this little explorer found!

Yup, Rolli likes the stagnate, muddy water waay better than the clean, flowing Splash Pad.

Vivian and Michelle.

Vivi isn't so sure about this cold-water-splashing-in-your-face deal.

Vivian leading Michelle around.

Vivian found the one pole that isn't spouting water.

the Puddle.

Rolli, Vivian, and Felix.

The kids seemed to prefer the warm puddle... there wasn't so much splashin' going on here.

Rolli.

Doesn't the Splash Pad in the back ground look refreshing?

Otto and Felix (per their Mother) invited us over for some fruit popsicles and a warm dip in their backyard kiddie pool.  You bet we accepted the invitation!

By the time Marshall rode his bike home from work we were all tired.

Vivian said "Goodnight!" with a roll off of the toy box and a HUGE goose-egg on her head.

Crazy Rolli protested bedtime by turning the light on and falling asleep anyways.

After all was quiet in our house (but not the neighborhood) Marshall and I climbed on top of the roof to watch the fireworks.

Marshall and Hannah, rooftop.

Fireworks!

... till next year!...

dunes

Good Morning Saturday!!

Yesterday morning started (a little too early) with underdogs at the park!

Followed by a trip to the sand dunes and beach with the whole family!

Bella was in HEAVEN!  Marshall was excited to see how high the river still is.  I was glad to get some fresh air with the kids.  And Rolli and Vivian were along for the ride.

family picture.

minus Bella...

Those odd growths on our backs are the kids in their backpacks.

Daddy and Rolli 'bouldering' on the way to the beach.

Vivian thinking she might like to take a climb.

Beach at the north end.

We weren't the first ones to the beach on Saturday.

We followed a horse an rider down the trail.

And there was a group of young trouble makers getting the day started right.

Of course Vivian and Rolli were still the cutest ones around.

Vivian watching Bella fetch.

Bella has missed the river.

Rolli just sat here for the longest time... taking the occasional bite of sand.

Vivian.

Miss Mae got right to exploring and figuring out this sand/water stuff.

Rolli watching Bella fetch.

Bella L-O-ves her tennis ball!

Rolli and Daddy.

Rolli leading Mommy down the beach.

Vivian leading Daddy down the beach.

Rolli braving the cold water to do some exploring.

After an early nap we finished the day with a water themed backyard birthday party at a friends house.  Ice cream sundaes too!

These two toddlers were beat!  

Too bad they woke up before 6am again this morning.

Sauer's Mountain

Sauer's Mountain

With 3 friends, the twins, and two dogs.

Rolli and Vivian's (and Stacia's) first trip up to Sauer's Mountain.

This is a leisure 5 mile round trip hike starting in Peshastin.

Mr. Sauer lives at the trail head.  He is the one responsible for building the trail.

Thanks Mr. Sauer!  We  love this hike!

One of the several totem poles along the beginning of the trail.

A little something to look at as you hike by.

Hiking!

Rolli, Stacia, Vivian, and Me.

Thanks Stacia for packing Rolli.

The squad.

Katie, Hannah (and Vivian), Stacia, Rolli, Bella, and Paxon.

Bella and Paxon at the top.

Bella ran, ran, and chased anything that moved!

Katie and Paxon at the top.

It is always a beautiful view... 

today it was a little cloudy so we couldn't see all of the peaks in the distance.

Rolli at the top.

My handsome soon-to-be little hiker.

Don't mind the dirt on his face... he's natural.

My busy soon-to-be little hiker.

Stacia at the top.

Katie, Stacia, and Rolli.

Next to random pole tepees along the trail.

Bald Eagle!

Rolli, Me, and Vivian.

Almost back to the truck.

Happy Father's Day!

Yes, Father's Day was June 19th.  

But Marshall was on assignment so he didn't get his gifts until Sunday when he got back.

The gifts that Rolli and Vivian made for their Dad at daycare.

A warm pack that I made for Marshall.

Not only was it really hard to trace the kids hands (I had Marshall's help for that part) but it was really hard to sew around them too.  I used all scraps so I only had to spend $5 for flax seed.  I added dry sage from our garden, gives it a nice smell when heated.

(I probably should have washed it before taken a picture so you wouldn't see my pencil marks)

Hopefully Daddy can relax now after working so hard.

road trip (part six)

another road trip posting... you'd think we were gone forever.

Nope.  Just 4 days and 4 nights.

so here is the last of our great 

"Road Trip 2011" 

with Grandpa and Grandma.

http://youtu.be/YrbHeavHx-Y 

It's a video of silly Grandpa in the backseat with a couple of delirious babies.

(just click on the link and it'll take you to YouTube)

road trip (part five)

Of course we had to make a rest stop in

Wallace, Idaho!

Me, Rolli, and Vivian Wallace in Wallace, ID

We stretched our legs at the historic miners semi-interactive park.

Rolli and Vivian walking through the 'mine tunnel'.

The kids checking out something mine'ish.

Can you tell Rolli is freezing.

Grandpa Rollin, Vivian, Me, and Rolli in the 'explosion demo tunnel'.

Rolli and Vivian

Me, Vivian, and Rolli

Vivian doing a little dance on top of a cage of rocks.

Back to the car.  Only 6 more hours to go!

fish hatchery

After spending all week hanging out with snotty daycare kids Rolli and Vivian needed to spend some time with their cool kid cousin Miles.  

Bella needed to see her dog friends like no other.

We met Grandpa Roger, Kona, Aunt Lindsey, Miles, and Atticus at the fish hatchery.

Shout out to cousin Miles for letting Rolli and Vivian ride his tricycle!

Vivian and Rolli taking turns.

(only because I made them, otherwise Vivian would have pushed Rolli off and ran him over without blinking an eye.  And Rolli would have just thrown an ape fit in the middle of the road, accomplishing nothing.  Sharing.  It's such a hard lesson to comprehend.) 

Rolli steering the tricycle in circles while Vivian proudly pushes.

*you might have noticed how quickly I am able to get pictures posted...

I love vacation time!