Redfish Lake

The lake from the canoe

Kessler chilling in the hammock

Hiking

Canoeing to an island on Little Redfish Lake

The view from Little Redfish Lake

Hiking

We lucked out and secured a campsite at Redfish lake in July. So we drug out our huge tent and canoe, and spent three nights in the Glacier View Campground. The weekend started out a little shaky. Caulder had a stomach bug and was not feeling well the first day, but once that passed we were able to get in some beautiful hikes and canoe rides. Our campsite was huge, and had a lot of rocks, logs, and bushes for the boys to explore. We were also across the street from a little playground, so there was a lot of activities to keep us busy around our campsite.

4th of July

Century Drive

Hiking through the lava tube

Rock window

Climbers on the rock Pinnacles at Smith Rocks

Goofy Boys

 We did our second annual 4th of July trip to Bend again this year to meet up with Grandpa Dick and Grandma Dee Dee. It was finally warm so we took advantage of the pool across from our condo and got in a little swimming. We also checked out Century Drive and stopped at some of the pretty lakes along the way and hiked through a big lava tube. On our way back to Boise, we stopped at Smith Rocks state park. We hiked the loop around the park, and watched climbers repel down some of the huge rock pinnacles.

Arches and Canyonlands

The Windows

Looking through arch to Delicate Arch

Hiking to Delicate Arch

The family under Delicate Arch

Kessler hiking to Sandstone Arch

Stairs on Park Ave.

Caulder rock climbing

Arches

Mat and Kessler taking shelter from the sun on Park Ave.

We made it to Canyonlands!

The Needles

Stop for lunch

Hiking the Potholes trail in Canyonlands

Caulder and Kessler in the narrow canyons

Climbing up ladders along the trail

Mat and the boys amongst the stunning scenery of Canyonlands

Caulder

Caulder and Kessler hiking through an old Native American cave shelter.

Large boulders

Hiking up to Timpanogos caves

Inside the caves

 We decided last minute to take a road trip down to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks (near Moab) over Labor Day weekend. Once we finally found a campsite, which turned out to be much more difficult than we anticipated, we headed into Arches. We explored the Park Avenue trail, and the Window's arches. Since our campsite was near the Southern entrance of Canyonlands, we decided to explore the Needles area of the park. Canyonlands was a great surprise. Easily as stunning as Arches. We took Caulder and Kessler on many beautiful hikes through the park. Sunday we toured the upper region of Arches, and hiked to the famous Delicate Arch, which was a surprisingly grueling hike up slick rock and along ledges of sheer cliffs. We also checked out Sandstone Arch, and the cool campground (which we hope to camp at next time we go to Arches). Monday we made a detour to Timpanogos National Monument and Caves just South of Salt Lake City. After 85 degree weather in Southern Utah, we were greeted with snow in Northern Utah. Despite the cold weather, the park is beautiful. It is situated up a narrow canyon in the Wasatch Mountains. The hike up to the caves is a three mile round trip hike with a 1000 feet elevation gain. The caves are interesting, and the park was well worth the detour.

Camping at Bruneau Dunes

Mat took the boys, without mom, to Bruneau dunes to camp for a night last weekend while I played in a golf tournament. Bruneau dunes is a pretty oasis in the middle of the desert with some very tall impressive sand dunes. They also have one of the largest telescopes open to the public in the United States. It you're willing to stay up late, they open it up to the public. The amount of detail you can see through it is amazing. . They all had a fun time, even though it poured all night. We're looking forward to many more camping trips this summer.

Potty Trained

Caulder and Kessler are officially potty trained. Here is what 5 months of stickers on a chart looks like. As you can see the lower right hand corner is the easiest place for the boys to reach.

Easter

Waiting to see the Trailblazer game

The White Eagle

They boys and I at Multnomah Falls

Grandma and Caulder at the Seaside Aquarium

Seaside

Kessler

Drawing in the sand

The sand castle

Grandma, Gandpa, and the boys at Seaside

The column at Astoria

All pooped out

We decided last minute to head out to Portland for 5 days over Easter weekend, and to catch a basketball play-off game. We managed to have a fun Easter and to see one of the best games of the play-offs so far. Although Portland won that one, they lost the series shortly after. Mat and I stayed in Portland for the game at one of the McMinneman's - The White Eagle. The weather was unusually warm, and we had a fun time away. We spent Easter at my parents house who hosted a big family dinner. Somehow Easter turned into Christmas, and the boys got lots of fun gifts. We really appreciated the thoughtfulness, and were lucky to have additional books and toys to entertain the boys with on the drive back to Boise. We also made ot out to the coast, and stayed at Seaside for a night with Grandpa and Grandma. It has been almost a year since we last visited the coast. The weather cooperated part of the time, and we had time to make one big sand castle.

I also have to mention that after three years of hard work, Mat finished his research, took both a written and oral exam, and completed his maters degree. We are so excited and proud of him!