Weekend Fun

My youngest cousin, Maddy, graduated from high school a few weeks ago and we were able to go to her graduation party this past Saturday. I haven't seen most of these cousins in about 10 years, and it was so fun to catch up. It will be fun to continue to get to know them again. It was a fun party that included good food, friends, bon fire, and a little four wheeler for the kids. 

Penny getting her turn to drive with Willow and Ada making sure they don't drive off the hill. 

More s'mores. Cameron said he hadn't had a s'more in years, and now since our move he has had so many. Everywhere we go there is a fire to roast on. It is true!

Great Grandma and Papa came later in the evening. The girls get so excited to see them. Aubrey especially. The whole party Aubrey kind of wandered between playing with the younger kids and sitting around with us. Once Great Grandma showed up it was if she had found the friend she had been missing. She talked and talked and played war and just sat by Grandma's side. 

Later in the weekend we decided to join Jason and Annette and my grandparents on a stroll around Lake Coeur d'Alene. It was fun being out on the boat and looking at all the houses along the shore. The girls laughed and played games with Malaya, ate pretty much all the snacks that Jason had brought along, and even caught some fish!

Everyone got a turn driving the boat around. 

We stopped for a quick potty break and Jason pulled out the fishing poles. He quickly caught a couple, and then the girls decided to try. All of sudden Aubrey yelled that she had caught a fish. So exciting. Her first fish and she did it all by herself! Then she kept casting and trying to catch more, and she accidentally cast too hard and fell into the lake. Cameron was able to catch her before she went completely under, but she was soaked up to her waist. Glad we made them put on life jackets too!

 Penny didn't catch anything but had fun trying. 

After seeing Aubrey catch a fish, Ada was determined to as well. We ended up having three of us with poles. I finally got one and called Ada over to reel it in. She was shocked when she pulled in a fish. And was so proud.

More cruising around the lake. 

Lucky girls with sherbet. What a fun afternoon. We were all worn out when we headed home. 

Summer Fun

 We found out about a little gymnastics camp at the high school last week. The girls loved going for an hour each morning and learning cartwheels, bar, balance beams, and much more. Aubrey especially took to gymnastics and did really well. They both loved it and wished it could last forever!

Penny has found her new favorite thing to do in Spokane. While the girls were at gymnastics, she always requested to go push the little teeny cart. This has basically been the deciding factor in deciding my new favorite grocery store. I think we might have to become Yoke's customers solely so Penny can push the cart. 

And a new trampoline! We love it! And the girls have already spent a lot of time outside on it. 

And summer means lots of popsicles!

We already love the Centennial Trail that is just down the street from our house. It is perfect for stroller runs, or just a nice scenic flat run on our own. Aubrey even rode her bike while we ran once and made it a whole 4 miles. The girls love wading in the water, finding minnows, and exploring. 

Aubrey and her giant dandelion mid run/ride. 

Because Cameron has been home, we have been able to go on little individual dates with the girls. They all thrive on one on one attention. We need to keep it up because it makes them feel so special. 

And one last picture of Penny walking out of her room one morning when she woke up. She was ready for the day!

Liberty Lake Loop

We got out on a hike in Liberty Lake last week. It was a warm day but the hike was in the trees and provided the perfect amount of shade. Next time we might bring the stroller so we can make it further. There is a small waterfall about 3-3.5 miles up the trail that we didn't quite make it to, but we made good 4 miles out and back and its always fun to hike. 

Snacks and Daddy!

Good hikers! Ada was actually quite the runner on the way down. She was cruising. Aubrey and I couldn't even keep up. She was probably going 8 minute pace for a good mile or so. She would stop and wait until we were in sight, and then take off again and then stop and wait. 

The girls could have spent all day crossing this log bridge. 

Our final destination. We made it to a bridge with a creek by it. 

Hikers heading home.

 And a boardwalk out to a marsh to watch birds and other animals. 

Last big climb up to the car. Fun hike! We will be back. 

Coeur d'Alene

  

Coeur d'Alene is only about 15-20 minutes away and we have already been a number of times to enjoy the lake, parks, and pool. One day we decided to get out of the house and head that direction. We started at McCuen Park- which was a huge park that had a big splash pad right next to it. The park part was the big hit with the girls. It was the last week of school there and a class or two had decided to take a field trip to the park, so initially it was crazy, but once they all had to leave it was nice. We will be back. 

After McCuen Park we headed towards the beach and found the boardwalk/huge floating dock along the way. It was fun to walk way out on the lake, and of course just fun to be surrounded by gorgeous mountains and lakes again. 

Next we headed to the beach. It was perfect and I can see us spending a lot of time there. We ran into a new friend from church that the girls played with for a bit. It was a hot day and so nice to be by the lake. 

We kept hearing about the Gooey that they served at the Resort nearby so of course after a long day of playing and swimming we needed a treat. We got a butterfingers gooey and it was delicious and almost too much for 5 of us. 

So good!

 We finished the day with a swim at the pool at the resort. Thanks to Jason and Annette who have given us a key because they keep their boat at a slip nearby. We love having access to a pool and hot tub again!