Benham Falls

Yesterday I took the kids hiking at Benham Falls. I realized two things:

1. We live in a beautiful area of this country. Of course I already knew this, but as we hide out indoors through the winter I tend to forget it. So the first hike of the summer is always like seeing the area anew. Don't you feel peaceful just looking at these photos? (which were taken by our budding photographers, Mattie and Lauren by the way):



2. My kids need to do things like this - it makes them happy, it keeps them active, and it gives them a chance to have fun together. Hopefully the memories of their childhood will be like that - happy, fun times with their brothers and sisters.




The perfect day for a little boy: climbing...

jumping....
and playing in the dirt!


I'm not saying the afternoon was perfect - there were some tears and some scratches and we were exhausted at the end of the trail, but despite all of that it was a great day!

Remember these?

I have a vague memory of tin can stilts, but nothing specific. Quinn and I were reading one of the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary and she makes tin can stilts with her friend, Howie. They spend the day walking around the neighborhood on them. We decided we should try it, too. No one has left the backyard yet, but I have high hopes for hours of fun on these summer classics.

Dance Recital

Time for the dance recital.

Beautiful girls....



Also this week, Mattie and Lauren graduated from 5th grade! After a short ceremony they had a party and spent the night in the gym. (Glad I didn't have to chaperone!)


And now we are enjoying summer vacation! We're hoping it feels like summer soon!