More Summer Shenanagans

Besides camping, we did stick around here long enough to participate in a few other activities and cub scout day camp was one of the funnest.  The boys and I spent two days at a park in Palisade learning about bugs.  I got to make slime with about a dozen different groups of 10-15 boys.  It was crazy and messy, and so hot in the afternoons that I thought I would turn into slime.  But thank goodness that fire truck showed up to cool us all down.  The boys LOVED that part.

This is my favorite picture of Spencer because he is standing in the middle of the spray worried about the watch he got for his birthday.  It is waterproof, but he wasn't sure he trusted it.

On the evening of the second day, we hosted a birthday party for Jacob at our house.  Luckily Dave and Maren did most of the prep for this, and it was such a fun party with nurf gun wars and the general craziness that ensues when you get a bunch of 8 year old boys together,

And a bike ride on the Mesa because it is too hot in the valley.  This was an exciting ride as a thunderstorm tried to take us out.  Lots of lightening and thunder and as we got back to the truck as it started to hail on us.  Kind of crazy.  We were discussing whether it was safer to stay on our bikes or get off in this storm, ruibber tires, vs metal bikes?  Beautiful trail though, with pretty views of the valley below and some fun lava fields to bike through.

Michelle, Ethan, and Lindsey came all the way from Minnesota to visit on their way to a family reunion.  We took  advantage of them coming to take a hike to lost lake on the Mesa.  It was such a fun day, as the kids all jumped in the water and swam in the lake, and we all enjoyed a fun picnic afterwards.

Jacob was pretty excited to be baptized. I can't believe he is this old already! He was one of only 4 kids that day, and we enjoyed a fun evening celebrating with family, including Patty and Megan who drove over for the day, and friends who joined us for a backyard BBQ and lawn games afterwards.

I love this kids cute shy, almost embarrassed, smile.  He is the greatest youngest kid, because he is always up for adventure.  He keeps us with all of our hiking and biking, and doesn't use his size as an excuse, ever.  He has a soft spot for his dad and most mornings will still curl up in his lap.  He loves school, and wishes there wasn't a summer break because he misses his friends too much.