gaining stamina

The other day I was watering the garden and noticed a new addition...these popped out of nowhere. I have no idea what they are!
Lexi was wearing one of her Hannah Montana shirts, with her Hannah lunch box and decided to pose like Hannah! Yes, she is obsessed!

Today we decided to try out our hiking legs again. This place is in our tiny city, was about 2.5 miles total hiking and was GORGEOUS!

The first waterfall (remember, this is the wrong season for viewing waterfalls. The river is at is lowest point).

it is called a temperate rain forest, very beautiful. The ground covering is soft, the air is cool and smells RIDICULOUSLY clean!

Look at how TALL Kyler is, he is ONLY 7!!

It was so sweet, when I was taking this photo Kyler thought Lexi was going to fall off, so he wrapped his arm around her to protect her.

We stopped and played here. The water was crystal clear and beautiful. The kids raced their "boats" down this drop.

We saw trout and crawdads.

Loving dad, so sweet.

The second falls.

The third falls.

This hike has been our most successful yet as far as distance and complaints go. It was about 2.5 miles, which we breezed through, and we heard almost no complaints about tired legs. I think the kids are slowly, but surely, gaining stamina. We want to attempt a 3-4 mile hike next time.

It was such a beautiful setting and Jared was amazed that it is all so close to our home. It is still hard to believe this is our life now, we have the outdoors all around us. Everyday there are so many options to entertain us and it just so happens to be the things we love. I love the fact that our children are growing up with a respect and appreciation for nature, wildlife and our planet.

soaking up the last bit of summer

Today it hit near 100 degrees, so the kids and I decided to soak up a little sun. Jared set up their slip 'n slide and I sat out there watching them play and enjoy.

Look at that face, classic! ha ha

She never made it all the way down, but she scooted bit by bit.

Winky, my 13 year old baby!

Spunky!

little blind Brail

We are officially down to the last few weeks of summer. It's hard to let it go, summer is so care-free and magical. I am truly grateful this year, it's been so much more enjoyable than the last. I actually had the opportunity to spend time with my family as opposed to the last year. It's been an amazing summer and we'll cherish these memories forever!

photo shoot part 2

For my second attempt of Lexi's birthday photos, we drove to a reservoir nearby that is engulfed in trees, that is after Lexi's tummy was full...she is not happy otherwise! haha

Jared and I picked a few of our favorites and thought we'd get some opinions, so please...opinions are welcome and encouraged.

We like this one for the lighting

I love her smile in this one, however Jared doesn't like her pose.

Then we took a few quick pictures and played for a bit before heading home...

the kids and I

the kids and Jared, Kyler's distracted and Lexi's blinking...classic!

Had to take pictures of my handsome guy

pizzas & pictures

Today I have set out to take Lexi's birthday photos (5! WOW). It just so happens, for the first time in her life, she is not in a very photogenic mood. I attempted these ones just in our front yard, as a test run. Now I'm going to feed her lunch and try again, different locations.
by the pond:
on the bench:

in the garden:

pond again:

The other day the kids made their own dinner! Pizza that they created themselves. They had a blast and ate every bite, this will be a weekly occurrence from hence forward. If you have kids, do this...they'll love it!

bikes, scooters, and happiness

We recently learned (after over a month of helmet-less bike riding) that it is an Oregon state law that children wear helmets while riding their bikes. So we took the kids to get new helmets being as Kyler outgrew his and we somehow left Lexi's at our old house during the move.
Kyler picked black with red skulls and Lexi picked Littlest Pet Shop

Sunday we took a family bike ride, SO much fun! We saw a muskrat in the creek by our house.

We rode to the school playground and spent a while swinging, racing, sliding; just having a good time. Kyler took a picture of Lexi and I swinging together-this is the only way I get to swing and I LOVE swinging!

they were riding through the school sprinklers

part storm and part smoke from a local crop fire

In the hiking trails in the forest across the street, there are bike ramps and trails everywhere.

Here Kyler is speeding down a hill

and up

Lexi's bike cannot make it on these trails with the training wheels, so she took her scooter!

father and son side by side racing

She was fearless on that scooter!

Jared had fun too!

He was so proud of himself, going down every hill without worry

I am scouting out areas for Lexi's birthday photo shoot (done by me-haha) and this was an idea I had, just having her sitting by our pond. This isn't her birthday photo, just an idea as far as location goes. Opinions are welcome!

Before we moved, my in laws wanted to have a family photo done and the photographer did individual family photos as well. My mother in law sent us an 8x10 of ours-thanks!! I decided to take a pic of it and show it off. :)

Yesterday, we registered Kyler for school. He starts on Sept 1st, back to school day (meeting kids, teachers, staff, learning your way around) and a BBQ will be Aug 31st. We are impressed with his school, it's new, nice, and with a wonderfully helpful staff! He is so excited to start school. I'm not ready for summer to end. I'll miss my little guy all day!

Unfortunately Jared will be in West Virginia then, doing a presentation for a SIPS school. At least he will be home for our anniversary (Aug 28) and Lexi's birthday (Sept 5).