3rd

We went canoeing at Dierke's lake. Does Rachel realize she is doing all the work? It was our last outing and we had to get it in because Luke said, "If I don't go in the canyon this week I'm going to whack out!" (He learned that phrase from Calvin and Hobbs)

We went to Tracy's house for a visit. It made me emotional to see Rachel do her thing again.
We had an overnight campout in a tent at Alturas Lake. It was lovely.

Dad caught these fish for dinner. They were delicious. Even Mike liked them and he isn't a fish eater. But they didn't taste or smell fishy, just delectable.

We did a mile and a quarter hike to 4th of July lake. We drove through 10 miles of burned out forest to get to the trailhead. Mike and Luke hiked around the lake in their barefeet. It was fun because it was spongy.

The hike back down. A little diversion for the boys.

2nd installment

This day is a significant one in the family circle! Most important is the arrival of baby boy Clive Cillian Newman at 7lbs. 5oz. and 19". Congratulations to W&S&Z. It is also B&B's anniversary and the day K&B arrive in their new state on their new chapter of life. Wow!

Last Monday: Luke-"Mom, I want to play Monopoly."
Rachel- "I don't know if you will like it. It's kind of grown-up. You might be bored."

Luke- "I know I won't be bored if I get to mess around with money."

And true to his word he did like playing Monopoly. He played with his dad then his grandma then his mom. And Rachel had us do the Obama version. She gave us more money for fun and we got to do lots more stuff. It stimulated the economy.

Fun-filled week- first installment

picnic on the hillside park
Blue Ben & Brooke

Snuggle with Dad

Catching up

Red shirt brigade

Walking along the park sidewalk

There goes the gang

Mothering instincts

Why are Ben and Avery walking like that?

Avery wanted me to take a close up photo of his eye and then his nose.

But when he saw his nose close-up he didn't like it so he didn't want anymore photos.

Live action

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Happy Birthday! We love you!