Memorial Day Hike

I wanted to test the kids' mettle.

How would they do on an uphill hike?

We chose to go up to Forest Falls and hike the Momyer Trail in the San Gorgonio Wilderness.

We ended up hiking about two miles uphill (four miles round-trip).

I'm still trying to figure out how you help kids see that they can do more than they think they can--with the right attitude. It's good to find (or create) opportunities for the kids to do hard things and push themselves. I'm not sure how hard this hike really was for them, it seemed they could have gone farther, but we turned back so they would have time to play in the creek.

I was so pleased with Mckay who talked, hummed, and sang the whole time. He enjoyed himself immensely and will definitaley get to go with me on a longer hike next time!

Ryanne and Leah could have gone farther, but didn't want to.

Elias did great.

He was pretty tired at the top of two miles,

but high-tailed it back down with no weariness at all.

Mckay was so happy!

He was such good company on the trail and kept me in good spirits.

What an asset on the trail!

Cooling off.

Ryanne trying to convince Elias to lay down.

Mckay liked to lay at the edge of the little waterfall

and watch his shirt fill up with water!

Who needs a hot tub? We like these bubbles!

The boys had fun throwing sticks in and watching them float over the falls and downstream.

Ryanne's Birthday

Don't worry, My cake isn't burned!

This is actually my breakfast: Aunt Morgan's famous coffee cake!

And that is bubbly brown sugar and cinnamon on top. Mmmmmmm!

Ryanne and her Aunt Christy have the same birthday: May 13th.

They like to celebrate together. This year we had family over that weekend and had a little party. Aunt Christy came to blow out her candles and eat her cake with Ryanne.

Goldie's Kitty Bed.
Christy got a special present this year--mostly thanks to Mimi who found it and Me--I told my girls they could not confiscate it for themselves. They put up quite a fight over it, but, no! The Kitty bed (throne really) went to Christy and her kitty Goldie.






Ryanne invited a friend (Kasidee) to spend the night.
Here they are holding Ryanne's favorite present-- a stack of new books to read!
Ryanne invited this same friend over last year and the two had a ball, so she wanted a repeat . . . I think they had even more fun this time. They decorated water bottles, made cute little purses, went to the tree fort and, of course, stayed up late (until about 1 am). At one point I came out and they were watching the movie "Nancy Drew." It must have been a scary part because they were hiding under a blanket, peeking out and squeezing hands together!






Opening more presents.
Ryanne got quite a few Only Hearts Club dolls, which she collects.
She had a great B-day and says thanks to everyone for the presents.







Here are some of the younger ones watching Ryanne open her gifts.
Rebecca, Leah, Elias, Jordan.






The Cake!
It may not look beautiful, but it was sooooo delicious. I knew Ryanne wanted an ice cream cake, but about died when one of my friends told me how much I would have to spend to get one big enough to feed all 18 guests. I decided I could make my own. From the bottom up: Oreo Cookies, strawberry ice cream, chocolate cake frosted with cool whip, oreo cookies, cookies-n-cream ice cream, chocolate cake frosted with cool whip, and strawberry sauce for the top! YUM!
Only about $8 and not hard to make--much cheaper than buying an ice cream cake!



Ryanne also got to go to Disneyland on her actual B-day (for free) with her Uncle William, Aunt Kathleen, and cousin Liam who have an annual passes. She had so much fun and
couldn't stop talking about it for days!

Here is a little video of Christy getting the kitty bed:

And this video goes to prove that

there is no reason to rent a jump house for the kids!

Camping at Silverwood Lake

I took the kids camping at Silverwood Lake when they were off track in April. Ryanne was up north visiting Granparents. Wes was going to join us, but ended up having three weeks of jury duty . . . he was just too busy to take the time off . So, I went solo-parent. It was a lot of work! But we had fun, especially the kids, as you can see:

Mckay was a great helper. He set up his little tent.

Mckay and Leah helped fetch water and start the campfire.

They ran numerous little errands.

All three had fun runnning around in the trees and bushes playing imaginary games. I think camping helps siblings love each other more-- look at Mckay hugging Leah!




Later that afternoon we went swimming

and walked along the shore.

Cute brothers.

The sun bather.

We went on a Monday night, so the campground was almost empty of people and full of squirrels and birds. We roasted hot dogs and marshmellows--of course! We had our Family Night Lesson by the campfire and Mckay shared the sweetest testimony.

Camel Packs.

The next day we went hiking in Miller Canyon.

the kids did a great job hiking and then we had a fun picnic and played in the creek!

What an adventure!

On a bridge across the canyon.

Looking out over the canyon.

Crossing the creek.

Climbing and sunning on the rocks.

In the water

This is one of my favorite pictures.

I just loved how happy and close Mckay and Leah were this whole trip.

And I love the ripples on the water in this photo.

The one picture of the camping mom.

Now you know the tricks to wearing out the boys!

(Yes, Mckay is asleep with his eyes wide open)

Here is a fun video of why we like the creek:

All in a Day's Work

One of the things Elias and I do during the day: We work out in the yard. I pull the weeds and trim the bushes. He plants sunflower seeds and waters . . . well, everything! When he gets tired of watering, he catches rolly-pollies, caterpillars, and lady bugs. He likes to feed them leaves. This is one of my favorite things to do as a mom; I love Elias, I love gardening, and I love bugs!

Such enthusiasm for everything he does is one of the things

that makes this kid so endearing!

Would you like a drink mom?!

Well, if mom won't let me give her face a drink, I'll take one for myself!

Happy Birthday Ryanne!

Well, our firstborn is now eleven years old! How strange it is to be leaving the world of kids and entering the world of a teen! Ryanne is really changing . . not only is she getting taller and smarter, she is also developing self-control, compassion, and selflessness. It is so cool to see a girl start thinking about others first and then control what she says or does-- finding ways to make others around her happy. She's also found she has a knack for imitating voices and gets everyone around her laughing!
Well, she insisted on me taking these pictures and reminds me everyday of just how tall she is getting . . . it won't be long now 'till she passes me up! Of course, Elias, who snuck into this picture, will pass both of us up in the end!

Happy GrandMOTHER'S DAY Gramma Andrews!!!

Well, we can't come visit you and tell you how much we love you, Gramma, so here is all our love via camera! Hope you know how grateful we are for the wonderful boy who is now the leader and protector of our family; he is so good to us! Thanks for being a loving, supportive and selfless Mom. And thanks for being such a fun, giving, and caring Gramma to these babes! We love you!

Kicken' 'em out!

Ever have trouble getting your kids outside? I do. Okay, granted, it's often waaaay too hot down here and I can't blame them. But when it's not-- off they must go. I'm a firm believer in kids being kids and running around outside. But that's hard in a city with nowhere to explore and few kids to play with in the nieghborhood. I often find myself bribing, pleading or threatening lives just to get them to step out the door. Sigh. The draw of electronics is all-consuming. And we barely even have any!
Okay, enough lamenting. Here are some fun pictures of when I actually got Mckay outside (sad, I had to document this moment, just to prove to him that he did go out). Elias is tagging along while Mckay plays ball with Mike, the next door neighbor, and David, a friend from church. Mike's dad bought a basketball hoop and it draws in boys like frogs to their lilly pads!

Elias, Mike, David, Mckay

They like to play "Around the World"

Judging the shot.

Eying the rim.

He shoots!

That's all. I just love these boys!

The Backyard

So, we've lived here a year and a half and finally put sod in the backyard. I am so happy to have more grass clippings and less mud coming in the house. I'm especially happy to have all the drip system in for my vegetable and flower gardens! Hooray! I love being outside--my balm! Here are some before and after pictures. Wes had some good friends help with the sod.

(Thanks good friends)! Before the grass came.

The Hard Workers.

It involves dirt? YES! I'll help.

This is how we level the dirt.

1. Throw the rake out.

2. Heave-Ho! Pull the rake in.

3. Level that dirt! (This kid is way too excited).

4. All the way back to the edge.

5. Survey the job.



6. Tell mom you did a great job helping Dad.


Look at all that work!

All the kids watching the Dads work.

Leah, Elias, Devin, Analise, Ryanne, Mckay.

What does Elias have in mind? Is he up to mischief?

"Mom, can't we keep him?"

That looks better!

Now, on to some things planted in the garden . . .

Fuschia, one of my favorites.

Lavender!

My dear friend Ellen gave me this dwarf apple tree--look at those apples!

Elias picked this one out.

Tomatos!