Camping with the Piks

Last weekend we took the kids camping with our good friends and Pete's parents. As soon as we slipped out of the fully packed car, the kids were immediately running around, collecting leaves, jumping in the tents and having fun with their friends. Next morning we did a long hike that eventually led us to a cave that we got to explore, then it was lunch and swimming in the lake.

Eliot and Henry roasting away.

Hiding out in the cave.




Henry, Maya, Jocie and Bryn

Jocie and Maya burying Sandra's feet.

Although our trip was cut short due ot impending storms, we had a blast and the kids already want to plan our next trip with the tent!

A Little Summer Fun

The schedule got a little tight on Tuesday, and with me at work and Jay in class most of the day, Grandpa came to the rescue! Jay ran the kiddos up to the cabin Monday night, and with Grandma Affeldt visiting Mia and Allison this week, Grandpa Affeldt had the day full of summer fun, lake style. They swam for hours, went for boat rides, had lunch at the lodge, and when we got back up there Tuesday night, we got to join in on roasting marshmallows. Needless to say, they slept well. We took advantage of the hot sun this morning before we headed home, and the kiddos got their first ever tube rides behind the boat. Thank god for the long sleeve swim tops I bought them.... if only I would have splurged for two more, Jay and I would not be sporting our bright red arms and back.

Oh yeah, and Bryn suddenly mastered the backstroke while we were swimming around too.

Grandpa and B girl tubin' it up.

Here I am with little man H.

Jay on the slalom ski.

Thanks Grandpa! Hopefully we'll have a chance for a few more summer cabin get-aways.

Canoeing with daddy

It is so easy to take for granted what surrounds us in Madison, including Lake Wingra, within walking distance from our front yard. Jay wanted to take the kids out on the lake for Father's day and it felt as if we were upnorth at some secluded lake, not in city limits. Helps that there are no speed boats allowed, just lightly scattered with kayakers, canoers and fisherman.



Thanks to our neighbor, Miss Elspeth, who lent us some paddles for H and B which they have been practicing with all winter. Although they weren't powering us around the lake (boy are my arms going to be sore tomorrow), they did figure out which way to pull the oar through the water and nobody fell in!

If you can't find us at home this summer, bets are we are paddlin around the lake!!

Why we love him...

and the busy week continued.....

Shortly after Liz , Leon and kids jumped in their car and headed towards home, Shannon, Bruce and Liam arrived for the weekend. Our cousin Krista graduated from high school and we caravanned up to Merrill on Saturday for the party. We first had to make a stop at the Farmers Market on our way out of town.

Aunt Shannon bought the kids cookies, Bryn made out well with her "monster cookie" full of everything good. Henry managed to snag some daisies from a market seller and carried them around the square.

The highlight of the weekend was the horses. Krista's graduation party was at the ranch where she boards her horse so the kids had an endless supply of horse rides all afternoon. Liam was the first brave kid to get hoisted on to the horse and was soon followed by H and B. They even got a lesson in throwing a lasso.

Bryn and Henry with the new grad. Congratulations Krista!

Montana buds

Last week we had our friends Liz and Leon with their kids Ethan and Emi visiting on their LONG trip back to Montana from Florida. Ethan and Emi (although being 4 and 2 years older than H and B) were instantly adored by our kids once again, and the 4 of them were non-stop silly fun.



So good to see our dear friends from Missoula and hanging out with them brings back so many Montana memories......






As you can see from the above pic, Ethan showed his skills as the chicken whisperer. The second we opened the door to the fenced-in chicken run, Ethan was intent on holding one of the chickens. Determined he was, and sure enough he caught Lady Marmalade and carried her around the yard for a good five minutes or so. The other chickens gave him a run for his money and Lady Marm was the only hen that obliged.

Emi and Bryn spent a good part of their time seeing who could swing the highest and touch the leaves of our tree.







Henry taking a pucker to Leon's horn.

Liz with kids on the way home from a park.

Last minute snuggles with Ethan.



I think a road trip heading west in in our future...

Preschool party!

Hard to believe that Henry and Bryn are done with their first year at preschool. To say the time flew by would be an understatement. Spending their Tuesdays and Thursdays with Miss Sally, Miss April and Miss Rachel, and the rest of their class proved to be quite an experience and we couldn't have asked for anything more.

The last week of school they had an end of the year party for all the parents and kids. They had a scavenger hunt through the school grounds that ended with a special treat of popsicles and other goodies. We also competed in the three legged race without falling flat on our faces!

Henry decided the night before that he wanted to bring his clown outfit so he could be the "mascot" for the party.

Running to their next clue at Mr. Rich's science school bus.