Splash Park

We played with some friends at a local splash park earlier this week. This was Makenna's first experience with some serious sprinkler fun; Jake hadn't been to one in a couple of years. It was interesting watching the different personalities shine through as we set out to play in the water. Makenna dove right in, thinking to herself, I'm sure, "I'm going to get wet! This is great! Bring on the fun!" Whereas Jacob sat back, watching his sister, not sure if he wanted to walk through the sprinklers or not. It took some warmup time and a little encouragement for him to whole heartedly join in the fun. All in all, a good time was had by all. The perfect activity for a hot summer day.

Nana & Papa's house

Our family vacation this summer was a trip to Washington to visit Nana and Papa. I hadn't been home in 2 1/2 years and my parents hadn't spent time with the grandkids in over a year, so it was a welcome week away. It was wonderful to spend time with family, see dear friends, and play around in both rain and sunshine.

 

Makenna sitting on Papa's motorcycle



Jake loves anything that GOES! and he was big enough this year to take a spin with Papa on his beloved motorcycle. Serious fun!

 

There was a "tall ship" in port at Bellingham Harbor, so we ventured down one afternoon.

A boy and his Papa

Makenna at the playground...the child has no fear.

 

 So sweet!

 

We all went to a kangaroo farm where you could pet and/or feed most of the animals.

 

Uncle Tyler fits right in!

 

Feeding the donkeys

 

Kristen kissing a llama!

 

Daddy and the kids snuggling a baby kangaroo

 

Nana swinging with Jake and Makenna

 

Uncle Tyler is a firefighter at the Burlington Fire Station and Jake's birthday present from him and Auntie Kristen was a behind the scenes tour of the fire station. Coolest present ever, if you ask me!

Sitting in the driver's seat, ready for the call!

 

Putting on the fire gear

 

Makenna and Auntie Kristen

 

Jake even got to "put out a fire" using the fire hose!

 

Kenna liked dancing around the fire hydrant.

 

The raspberries were in full bloom and did we ever partake, just about every chance we got!

Ice cream and fresh raspberries! And Makenna wasn't about to let her fair share be eaten by Mom without a fight!

 

Yep, still a Monkey!

Swimming Lessons

Jacob had his first experience with swimming lessons this summer. We don't have regular access to a pool, so he hasn't been in the water too much in his four short years. And he's at an age where his fears are beginning to affect his confidence. So, even though Jake knew his swim teacher (she used to babysit for him), he still cried at almost every lesson. If I were to ask him what part of swim lessons he liked, I know he'd say, "Going out to get ice cream on the last day." To his credit, I have to say that he did make many improvements during the four weeks of swim lessons. And we'll be back next summer

Tidal Wave

They both love bath time. The bathroom floor doesn't appreciate it so much. 'Nuff said!

Birthday Number Four

Another birthday for this little man. Four years old already. It was a day of celebration with friends & family, lots of sweets and new treats. Jacob was one happy kiddo.

 Party time with his friends, Lightening McQueen style!

 Race car cupcakes

 Hooray for new toys!

 Swing, batter batter, swing!!

 And the race is on!

 Makenna had to get in on the action

 You make me proud, son.

A dragon cake (no, I didn't make it)

 Yummy cake!

And the grand finale...a new bicycle!!

Hiking the Incline

(As an introduction to The Incline, I'm borrowing the following  text from this website) 

"There is a vertical scar on a hill behind Manitou Springs. The trees part in a skinny stripe littered with aged railroad ties that climb steeply to the top of this small mountain. A railroad line was constructed on this slope in 1907 to aid in construction of a hydroelectric plant, and later used to take visitors to an overlook of the town. Today, these are the proving grounds. If your competitive fire burns white hot, the Incline beckons. It will torment and punish you, then stoke that fire to come back for more."

Ummm...maybe not so much the last part of that sentence. But climb the Incline I did. It is not quite a mile in distance (easy, you'd think, right?) but has a vertical climb of just over 2000 feet

(6530'-8550'). I'm a work in progress when it comes to physical fitness. I'm not a novice hiker. And this was a serious challenge! It did indeed torment and punish. The closer I got to the top, the more difficult it became. Because of the decrease in oxygen level as the altitude increased, it was literally one step at a time. But it was also exhilarating to reach the top and feel the satisfaction of accomplishing something so difficult.

 The beginning of the trail, made entirely of railroad ties. If you look closely, you can see the line that goes up through the trees. That is The Incline trail.



A few feet from the top. You can see just how high we climbed.

Alicia, Ashley, Heidi, Starr, Lisa, Jennifer

We did it!!!



First Camping Trip

Jacob spent many months talking about camping, reading stories about camping trips, playing pretend in his little indoor tent, and asking, "When can we go camping??" The little man got his wish in early June when he and Daddy participated in the church-sponsored father & son campout. Though the GPS sent them on a wild goose chase and they almost didn't find the campground, and the car just about ran out of gas on the way there, father and son had a wonderful experience. After all, when you're almost four years old, what could be better than dinner AND breakfast at a picnic table, eating roasted marshmallows, staying up way too late, and sleeping in a sleeping bag in a tent because your CAMPING??? Absolutely nothing.