4th of July

We had a great 4th of July this year up at the lake. It seems like forever ago (16 days ago), but it only seems like so long ago because we were eagerly awaiting the arrival of little dude then, and here we are almost to 40 weeks and still waiting.
For the fourth, Mike, Laura, Shawn, and Caleb came up to the lake. They put their big pontoon boat out on the water and camped out at Kalispbell Island. Kyle, Ryker and I did our sleeping back home, but Gunnar enjoyed himself sleeping on the boat.
We had a great time kayaking on the lake, boating, and using the wave runner. It was really perfect weather. They were out there for about 4 nights.
Over the weekend our friend Jacob came up and spent some time with us. Kyle took him up to the natural waterslides and they seemed to have a good time there too.
Overall it was perfect. Good food and great fellowship with friends and family.
The co-pilots.

 Kyle and Caleb kayaked from the shore to the Island. Gunnar joined them about 10 minutes from shore.

 How we keep crazy Ryker under control.

 Us kayaking with the boys. There was a lot of crying, but also a lot of laughing.

 Gunnar playing catch on top of the boat.

 Haha...you won't see this everyday, 37 1/2 weeks pregnant and in a wet suit.

 Ryker knows how to roll when we are in the boat.

 That's Kyle on the wave runner.

Looking back on lower Priest Lake, ready to go see Upper Priest Lake.

Smores and more

(Written July 2, but just now getting to the internet to post)

Kyle ended his rafting season on Friday, and we have enjoyed having him home. I am pretty sure he is awfully bored going from being very active every day to being at home with two toddlers and a pregnant wife, but he is coping.  I am thankful for him ending his season a month earlier than the rest of the crew to be with us before the baby arrives, which they say could be any day now (they said that with Ryker too, and it was still 3 weeks until he was born).

We had a smores night, Friday and we had tons of fun besides all the bugs. There are these tiny black flies that love my family. They leave a nasty bite. Despite our bug repellent, they just can’t get enough of us. We really can’t stand them. Luckily for the most part the mosquitoes leave us alone if we have our bug spray on. The boys loved the smores. We made some extra special ones with Reese Peanut Butter Cups and they were amazing!

Monday we got a bit more adventurous. We had heard about the natural waterslides up here, but have never checked them out. So we packed our lunch and headed that morning. It was about an hour drive around the lake and up to Lion’s Head State Park, and then about a mile and half hike. The hike was beautiful and totally worth it, even 36 ½ weeks pregnant. We got about 200 yards from the slides and couldn’t get to them because the bridge was washed out and there was no way we were wading through the waist deep, ice cold water with Gunnar and Ryker in tote. We had to cross plenty of streams with them and that was challenging enough. We decided we will visit them kid free next time. Gunnar did a great job of walking, but Ryker would walk about 100 yards and then want to be carried the next 600 yards….on the way back Kyle took to carrying both of them.

Kyle and Caleb did decide to get into the water despite not being at the slides and the freezing cold temperatures. Gunnar decided to dip his toes in, but that was all the further I allowed him to go. He wanted to jump in with his dad and Uncle Caleb.

Anytime we are outdoors we are reminded of God’s awesome power and strength. Our God is truly an AWESOME God. I am so thankful that He has afforded me the opportunities to see so many of His beautiful creations.