Coop heads to 11 year old Camp

Cooper was a bit nervous about heading to 11 year old Camp at Camp Fife this past week.  It was only for one night but he had heard scary stories about how freezing the pool at camp is and how you are required to get in it for the swim test.  When Coop got home from Scout Camp the first thing he said was, "the pool was warm!!!!!"  Birch was able to head up after work and so he was with Coop for the night and the entire next day.

Coops Patrol - they were the Flaming Flamingos 

Cooper was not looking forward to shooting the 22 rifles.  He found he was actually better at it than he expected and so he actually liked it in the end.

Not bad!!

Rock Climbing and Repelling Wall

Go Coop!

Archery turned out to be way hard - Coop was wishing they had had a bow that was more his size

Learning first aid skills

Swim Test!

It's warm!!!!

I'm grateful that Birch has always made time to be with the boys for at least a bit of scout camp each year.  I know they each have felt such comfort by having their dad with them.

So scout camp was a success -- way better than Cooper expected!!!!

4th of July: Family, Fun, and Fireworks

Kickin' off the 4th of July with a neighborhood kid's parade at Aunti Emily's home.  The kids had a great time decorating scooters, bikes, rollar blades, bikes, and strollers.  To make it even more memorable we were lucky to be watching Seth and Caroline's kiddos all week.

Cali sportin' her Independence spirit

Nate and his friend

Mila and her matching otter pop

Tommy

Baby Willie was EVERYONE'S favorite -- this may have been his first otter pop and he was IN LOVE

Cool Tyler

Nate

Coop

Cali, Hazel, Grace (friend), Chloe, and Sage

 Next on the agenda -- a hike to Tieton Nature Trail with friends

Willie loved the hiking backpack even in the 100 degree's

Not much more sexy than my hubby taking care of the kids - this bridge was a little scary to watch twenty+ kids scamper across

The Cobias, Andersens, Murdocks, and us all joined together on the hike.  Somehow within the first bit the kids got ahead of all the adults except Bishop Murdock.  Made this mom nervous with all the talk of rattlesnakes and none of the kids having water.

Finally caught up with the kids and we all crossed this scary bridge across the river

I don't think the fast flowing water or the lack of guard rails on the bridge phased any of the kids

Emiline, Chloe, and Sage

Willie was happy to get out of the pack and cool down his toesies

Uncle Birchy and Willie

Pioneer Club - Tommy

Chloe

Cali

Willie was my sidekick all week.  We would lay down next to each other before I would put him down for a nap or bedtime and he would just gaze in my eyes and want me to kiss him between his eyes.  What a sweet little guy!

Ah...sometimes it stinks having little kiddos.  Uncle Ryan was such a sport and was about 40 minutes behind EVERYONE with Hazel and Tommy.  He got to the water just as we were all ready to go home.  What a good daddy!!

We finished off the day with a totally delicious bbq of shoyu chicken, rolls, corn on the cob, watermelon, and donuts from Canada!  Seth and Caroline got back just in time to join us and bring our tasty dessert.  The kids played and played until we packed them all up and went to Selah to watch the fireworks.  This is the first time we have been to Selah to watch the fireworks and probably will be the last -- it was a "cute" show for a little town but honestly the kids made fun of it most of the night.

What a splendid day!!!!  Love our country and what a treat to share the day with family!

Little Gymnast

Chloe recently celebrated her 9th birthday - she really, really, really wanted a bar and balance beam. We are still bar-less but yesterday Chloe, Nathan, and Birch built a sweet beam for Chloe to practice on. Pretty impressed!!

Dreams do come true...sometimes.

Check out that flexibility!

The famous scorpion 

Chloe wishes I would put her in gymnastics but I am cheap.  We've done a few months this year at Gymnastic's Plus through the YMCA program but she'd sure love hanging out in that gym several times a week!

A house filled with family

A lot of multitasking going on this week. Lucky to have Seth and Caroline's kids for the week -- the little chub on my back was fought over all Sunday at church. It's been a treat to have a temporary baby in the house -- although, none of my kids were sleeping all night at this age. 

I sure am thankful for all the gifts of time our families have given Birch and I over the years to have a kid-less getaways. Does a marriage good!!!

Seth and Caroline are having a great time in Whistler, BC - rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, etc...  I'm grateful they trust out family to care for their sweet kiddos!

It took Willie a couple of days to like me - not that he didn't like me before but he didn't choose me -- kind of nice to be loved!

Cali really has the best smile

Chloe is loving having a houseful of fun

Graceful Tommy

Tommy trying out the new balance beam

The Sweet Trio - Sunday Morning

All of the kids have been so helpful with Willie - changing poopy diapers, feeding him, playing, etc...