Racine Beach

Occasionally just Abigail and I will go for a walk along the beach after dropping Lydia off at playground. Since we're already in Racine, we'll go to North Beach.

 This morning there were people playing volleyball, and it was a bit cool and windy.

You can tell it by looking at Abigail or the big waves.

But it still feels good to hear the waves and put our feet...

and hands in the sand.

"I love you. I love you," she sings as she plays.

I'm so lucky to spend my days with my girls, and occasionally, by the beach.

Sprinkler Pics

Why not water the grass and have fun at the same time?

Water dancing

Fill the bucket

"Look Mom. Hair wet."

If you put the flower fountain in the swimming pool to fill it up, the girls will think the pool magically becomes a princess pool.

* It's Summertime! *

Pool time with Aaliyah

Sleepover in the playroom

CO: Rocky Trails, Lakes & Rapids

Nymph Lake

first snack break, at Nymph Lake

This sight (and sounds of the stream) made me stop in my tracks and pull out my camera!!

sitting on rocks near Dream Lake

friendly chipmunks, a little too friendly

the trail to Emerald Lake...

Emerald Lake!

 "Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom." Psalm 145:3

taking a break by a field of flowers, by Emerald Lake

on a rock again, taking a snack break

happy like Mommy

excellent scenery for a family shot 

Lydia had fun pretending the benches were a train, at Bear Lake

The Pool, as in whirlpool

hiking, hiking...

 We were happy to carry the girls in the backpacks so we could see and go where we wanted to go. I'm sure Lydia will be too big next year and we'll have to take trails at a snail's pace. A lot of other hikers would comment that riding in the packs '[was] the way to go!' to the girls. They didn't always agree.

 Are these rocks big, or what?

posing with our crazy guide

On the last full day, Ben and I took a whitewater rafting trip on the Poudre River. First time for me, Ben is experienced. We volunteered to be the lead paddlers on our 7-person raft. It was a great anniversary type thing to do. The guide instructed us that once she gave a command, such as "Forward one!," we were to look deep into each other's soul-for just a split second-then paddle in sync. I think our raft did pretty well. Our goal was to look more like a viking ship than a drunken spider. Once I was comfortable paddling with my foot wedged into a strap, I could enjoy the action. The front was definitely the place to be for that!

CO: YMCA Camp

On July 7th we flew into Denver to meet up with all these crazy relatives... 

...for a wildly good time in Estes Park at the YMCA of The Rockies.

 This is the cabin where we stayed, with the porch overlooking the field, where we saw a black bear roam.

 The camp is situated at altitude 8010, nestled in the incredible Rocky Mountains!

 Lydia and Abigail took part of many activities offered by the camp:

Here are the Animal Detectives on an elk's trail finding...

tracks and scat (that's scientific for poop).

All the little ones did parachute games.

We made a real photograph of nature with photo paper.

All the kids took a horse or pony ride from Jackson Stables at some point during the week. 

Michelle helped me keep Shortcake steady. Abigail would get a little scared whenever the pony sneezed.

After three trips around the track, Star lost her giddy-up. Lydia asked for a new pony, but instead we pulled one more trip around the track out of her. 

Sweet Kinsey and Lydia played and swung together.

Emily and Lydia have bonded.

 The YMCA camp had a lot to offer, but for more fun and nature, we had to venture out...

John's Lake

 Lunch time on the Fourth of July

 "A pinch of sprinkles to make it sweet," Lydia and Natalie said as they finished off their castle cake.

 S'mores so tasty by the campfire!

 fireworks on the lake

 Ava, Natalie, and Lydia are amazed with the fireworks that fill the sky above them.

 Digging time for Abigail in the biggest sand pit ever.

Carly, Natalie, Egan, Ava, Nora, Lydia, Abigail, Aaliyah, Audrey, Evelyn, Carter

 Violet's up from her nap and gets on the swing too.

 Holly brought a play parachute!

Enjoying shaved ice on a hot day.