We started off the day by getting dressed in our red white and blue. I used to make an effort to outfit the kids, but older sisters have taken over that job. A day or two ahead, they remind their younger siblings to be prepared to dress the part and the morning of the big day, everyone goes through everyone else's clothes to help choose (and bully into, sometimes) what everyone will wear.
We went to the pancake breakfast at church and then headed up into the mountains to escape the heat for a picnic lunch. One of the best things on the drive is the tunnel.
Our favorite place to go is like a huge natural playground with rocks to climb on and logs draped over a stream to tightrope walk over. The water is cold, but the kids still end up getting drenched. Every time we go, we remember that the last time we went, we swore we'd bring the swimsuits, but of course we forgot...again!
Naomi was apprehensive, to say the least, about crossing the stream on a log. I had to go get her from Rachel and take her myself.
Kelly crawled and climbed all day. I don't think she even sat still while she ate. It was just go, go, go like a little mountain goat.
Michael tried his hand at some rock scrambling, too.
Mo was satisfied with playing in the dirt, eating cookies, and watching everyone else risk their footings.
If you count high enough to note that there are six kids pictured, not seven, you may be wondering about Summer - she is still out of town.
Everything was so lovely, I took too many pictures, but I guess that is one of the joys of not having to pay for film developing.
Rachel took a turn with the camera, too. We all liked this picture she got of Naomi's hair.
I wish I could remember what we were talking about when she took this picture of Stan and me...
Then, to finish off the day, we sat on the street curb and looked up into the sky . I don't know why I do it, because photos of fireworks are so lame in comparison to reality, but every year I take pictures, trying to capture the glory of pyrotechnics!
We went to the pancake breakfast at church and then headed up into the mountains to escape the heat for a picnic lunch. One of the best things on the drive is the tunnel.
Our favorite place to go is like a huge natural playground with rocks to climb on and logs draped over a stream to tightrope walk over. The water is cold, but the kids still end up getting drenched. Every time we go, we remember that the last time we went, we swore we'd bring the swimsuits, but of course we forgot...again!
Naomi was apprehensive, to say the least, about crossing the stream on a log. I had to go get her from Rachel and take her myself.
Kelly crawled and climbed all day. I don't think she even sat still while she ate. It was just go, go, go like a little mountain goat.
Michael tried his hand at some rock scrambling, too.
Mo was satisfied with playing in the dirt, eating cookies, and watching everyone else risk their footings.
If you count high enough to note that there are six kids pictured, not seven, you may be wondering about Summer - she is still out of town.
Everything was so lovely, I took too many pictures, but I guess that is one of the joys of not having to pay for film developing.
Rachel took a turn with the camera, too. We all liked this picture she got of Naomi's hair.
I wish I could remember what we were talking about when she took this picture of Stan and me...
Then, to finish off the day, we sat on the street curb and looked up into the sky . I don't know why I do it, because photos of fireworks are so lame in comparison to reality, but every year I take pictures, trying to capture the glory of pyrotechnics!
