and 95 degree weather may lead to sticking your head in the beer cooler.
Five minutes after I took these pictures I went back outside. He had added soap to the tub and was, once again, sticking his head in it. He sat up with bubbles foaming in his hair and running down his chest and said "I needed a bath". Now thats a boy who can multitask.
(Disclaimer: Bathing outside is not due to lack of a tub.)
Sometimes it happens... we manage to get everyone together for an extended family trip.
We took turns making the meals (fish tacos anyone!), played many card games, went running (I relearned I am a really poor runner), played in the water, 4 wheeled (the longest ride was 47 miles. WOW!) fished, got sunburned (sorry Jeremy), rode bikes (Braxton enjoyed tandem riding) around the camp loop and up on the trails (you rock Lisa!), identified plants and birds, read so many books, hiked, had a rousing game of keep away (boys vs girls and grandma no one got ticks), napped, saw a double rainbow, got rained in and most importantly, simply enjoyed everyones company.
Best trip ever!
On the first day we all climbed onto 4 wheelers and trucks and drove to the 10 miles to Pete's Hole. I rode with Nate, Sheri, DJ, Braxton, Ryker, Emily, Emaleigh, and Casi on the 4 wheelers. It rained as we drove through mud puddles. We all ended up muddy but happy as we finally reached the small lake.
A (almost) group shot.
Having a house full of girls gives Tanner red finger nails.
Tanner LOVES to fish and because of this he only caught one.
What is it about teenage girls and Dr Pepper?
Our loot!
Nate spent the whole time loading worms and unloading fish.
There were many card games; 13, phase 10, and Trash.
The kids were constantly playing Trash (thanks Emaleigh for sharing such a great game).
Many hours spent at Joes Valley reservoir rearranging docks, kayaking, floating, and having water fights with Uncle Jed.
The girls (Casi and Emaleigh) spent many hours rearranging the docks.
One of my favorite photos. I just love both of their expressions.
During one rainy outburst all the grandkids ended up in Grandmas small trailer. Grandma was prepared with glow sticks and chaos ensued.
After last years infamy, I wanted to go back to Bells Canyon and see the waterfall in the spring. Sure people died up there but that only adds to the intrigue. Right? Well anyways
So on Saturday, I got up early, put on my big girl hiking shoes, made a meat and bread sandwich, mixed almonds and cranberry's for a snack, filled up a camel pack, and grabbed a last minute peach before heading out the door.
It was 60 degrees F and 6:30 am.
Awesomely huge brown slug, with shoe size comparison. Any guesses on what it is? Sadly, both slugs I saw crossing the trail on the way up where dead when I returned down the trail. I dont get people.
My first Bells canyon Sego lily
Section of Bells Canyon river
Bells Canyon Lower Falls
Me at Bells Canyon Lower falls. Look Grandma Chris a non-scenery photo!
She would climb up onto a chair, jump to the tree, and then carefully crawl down to the tube feeder. Her fate however, was not filled with joyous, nutty, delights because before she could reach them, she would fall off.
Our cute little squirrel would then scream"chit chit chit" and angrily snap her tail before trying the same serious of moves. I could relate.
He was promoted and this new position demands a 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM schedule
Side effects include: eternal jet lag, napping, walking around with dazed expressions, being busted watching > 5 mins of Glee, 24 hour -7 days a week bed head, a photo taken of you sleeping, a dependence on caffeinated beverages and sleeping pills, and our computer being clean from all viruses (because what else is there to do at 3:00 AM on the weekends).
I was going to write about my trip to the Zoo with Tanners class but, then I read Tanners version. I decided why should I write about it if he already did. He saved me a lot of work! By the way, Tanner still does not care about spelling. "It's just my grade, Mom!"
The pooping giraffe, Scorpion, and the water squirting elephant and dinosaurs were a big hit.
Momma Elephant. The zoo keeper is checking her teeth. I like her fat pink tongue.
Little Zuri, the baby elephant, is now 2 years old. I wrote about her in 2008 here. She is still the cutest thing on the block even though she weighs 14,000 lbs. And, she is already earning her keep by standing on her nosemouth thing.
The zoo keepers promised that they bathed her this morning.
Size comparison of Zuri to her mom
Unlike the giraffe poop, the tigers sleeping together grossed out the one of boys. He exclaimed, "That is disgusting!" I told him that it Tanner was as cute and furry as a those tigers, he would snuggle up to him.
My favorite part of the whole thing was the boys love for the small animal building. This is my favorite part of the zoo and yes, I know it smells. I have never gone to the zoo with someone that loved to look into all those small cages and see the critters as much as I do. Because of this, I over looked the moment when the giraffe pooped and all three of them exclaimed " That was awesome!" before running downstairs to get a better view of the poops exit.
On the first day we all climbed onto 4 wheelers and trucks and drove to the 10 miles to Pete's Hole. I rode with Nate, Sheri, DJ, Braxton, Ryker, Emily, Emaleigh, and Casi on the 4 wheelers. It rained as we drove through mud puddles. We all ended up muddy but happy as we finally reached the small lake.
This Red Squirrel was very upset.
