Water Slides

Yet another new summer adventure to experience..... water slides!!

They were way too much fun!!
A hot day, good friends and no crowds.... couldn't have been any better!!

Just a Joke??

Could it have been that Adalie was just kidding when she put "Adalie horseshoes while Josiah double skies" on her birthday list??

Well, all things are possible with these 2 brave girls. They are both willing to try anything once... and so we then hold our breathes in hopes that one chance goes well!!

Drum roll please....

Introducing the DOUBLE STACK!!

Star Gazing

There is no better venue for watching the stars than GG and GPa's party barge. We load our sleeping bags, swim suits, toothbrushes and flashlight onto the barge, swim until dark and then anchor out in our secret spot. Once snuggled into our sleeping bags, we watch the sky for shooting stars until our eyelids are too heavy to stay open. The breeze blows softly over us, the water laps at the pontoons, but the fun does not end there..... Once the sun rises, we pull up anchor and head for the bakery.

What a treat!!

Family Weekend

What an incredible weekend!! Despite having a few casualties like lost anchors and broken necks, we had way too much fun with our family we are so blessed to have!!

Summer Project

Dinner time is a toss up for me. Always fun to try to rise to the challenge of making nutritious foods that everyone will eat (or at least taste), but a bummer because usually I am the only one who peals out of play time to create a meal.
So, one day the light went on..... what if..... they help me make it?? Not only will they learn to cook, but then our fun time together continues and (gasp) they might actually eat it!!
So it began; a summer of cooking. They got to design their menu, make the shopping list, pick out the groceries and then prepare it. As for me.... I was just the helper.
It was fantastic!! I had an enthusiastic chef each day, helpers in the grocery store each week, they learned alot about preparing food and about what is healthy for their bodies, and everyone ate it!! We made tacos, fried chicken, pancakes, waffles, french toast, smoothies, bacon avocado cheese burgers, homemade macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, BBBQ beef sandwiches, salads, appetizers, salsa and more!! What was once a chore, now has become a fun activity together!!
Can't wait til next summer!!

Rafting in Yosemite

Today we searched for a new adventure and accomplished something Daddy had done many times, many years ago.... we rafted done the Merced River in Yosemite. We loaded our bikes, life jackets, rafts, paddles and lunch into the bicycle trailer and rode up to the drop in spot on the river. Although Grandpa and Daddy had been this route before and had many fond memories, it was our girls' first time.

Rafting was a fantastic way to enjoy Yosemite. We travelled the pace of a snail, sometimes even paddling to avoid being blown up wind. We splashed and paddled in circles, we boat hopped and picnicked, we swam and floated. It was really nice to enjoy this wondrous place at our own pace. No traffic, no distractions, no time frame...... just fun!
A must-do again!!

August 1st

So today is the day. The day where thoughts of school starting began to creep in. All throughout June and July I felt free to just enjoy. There was no pressure of a date looming, no moments of sadness, no feeling like every moment had to be filled. Now, it is August and the date looms. The days are counting down. Don't get me wrong..... we love school and have had great teachers and experiences thus far. It is just....... I miss them!

Thankfully, it is also Adalie's Birthday Month which is providing a fantastic diversion! In our family we not only celebrate your Birthday, but also your Birthday Month. It means you get to make a wish list of activities, you get to go first all month long, and you get the deciding vote on any tie decisions.

Adalie's Birthday Month Wish List
1. Josiah deep water start on the horse shoe ski
2. Sisters try the double skis
3. Camping @ Mammoth Pools for 3 nights
4. Sleep over @ Amma and Grandpa's house with Elias
5. Camping on the Party Barge and go to the Bakery in the morning
6. Wild Water Adventures
7. Miller's for dinner
8. Miller's for ice cream
9. Movie night with popcorn and ice cream
10. Swimming @ the docks
11. Adalie horse shoe skis while Josiah doubles
12. Yosemite bike riding and rafting
13. Camp 1 night @ Redinger
14. Back packing trip with Mommy, Daddy and Josiah
15. Jump off bridge @ Redinger Lake


Well, it looks like we will be too busy for the next 29 1/2 days to think of much else than FUN!!