Camping and Summer Fun

Edie wrangling a goat

 We visited a place called Rock Bottom Ranch with our neighbor Natasha (in the tie dye dress) and her Mom, Patty.  It is a demonstration homestead who's focus is on education.  I was in heaven.  It was a place that made my dreams so visible.  We had so much fun!  They took us on a tour of the animals so we got to check out the pigs, goats, chickens and bunnies.  Plus they have a garden that was in full bloom. 

We had to try out every swing on the property.

I know, crazy cute.  And we lost that hat at the farm somewhere.  Actually, we have a similar picture of Lucy at this age, maybe with this same hat when we went strawberry picking. 

 We ventured into the mountains with the cousins for a camping trip a couple weekends ago.  It was a primitive space but we found a secluded site nestled in some trees next to this beautiful creek.  We were sitting at about 9000 feet among the mountain peaks.  It really was spectacular.  The big kids LOVED this creek and spent the weekend testing their balance on the wet rocks.  The very cold water was a relief from the heat.  Isaac, the blond one, who is almost 5, has some crazy physical genius in that he just leaped from one rock to another with such ease that it made me gasp regularly.

 We discovered that both families brought a hammock which was perfect as we needed two to keep the arguments at a minimum.  The kids definitely used them more than the adults but at this moment, the two joined.  Uncle Tim was kind enough to move from a meditative, quiet rest to a rambunctious pile on.  They were all giggling thinking it was so funny to cover him up.  We thought we should send this picture to the manufacturer.  It held up!

And I had to show you how we are getting around these days.  Lucy either rides her own bike or rides behind me on a trail-a-bike.  It really is great not having to be in the car much.  Edie LOVES her ride.  I'm not sure she'll be motivated to get on a bike.  She's a "ride in a carriage snacking and reading a book" kind of kid.  The other night I tossed her in there after a particularly stressful day of her irritating all the big kids.  I just wanted everyone to get a break.  Then she didn't want me to stop.  I kept circling back to home for dinner and she just wanted to keep going.  Yes, its a nice ride for sure.