Family outing

Over Memorial Day weekend,

we packed up the family

and a picnic in the truck

and headed up the canyon a couple of miles.

We stopped at one of our favorite spots

where no one else was around

and made our little camp for the day.

The kids needed no entertaining.

They picked dandelions for bouquets,

walked up and down the creek

looking for treasures,

searched for and collected snails,

made their own fishing poles,

with grass tied together for line

and completed with a dandelion for a bobber

and tried them out

while Doug did some fishing of his own

and actually caught a few

small brown trout.

He grilled us some

delicious hamburgers

and we had a regular outdoor feast.

Even took a rare family photo

with our little tabletop tripod.

After lunch we packed up

and drove a little further north

to explore the ice cave.

It was mostly melted away,

but there was enough ice

to skate on.

What a fun day we had!

Wow!

On the last day of school,

Doug and I were asked to come

and be at an awards assembly

at the middle school.

We learned that Austin

would be receiving the award for

6th grade boy of the year.

The 6th grade class has

almost 200 students,

so that was pretty awesome, we thought!

Here he is getting his award plaque.

He's such a great kid,

we're really proud of him

and all that he's accomplishing.

Great job, Austin!

Tour of the town

In school this year,

the 3rd graders had the opportunity

to learn more about the history

of the town we live in.

They learned fun facts about the people

who founded it

and lived here 100 years ago.

Then, last week, they all went on a

walking tour to see the buildings

and talk about the history behind some of them.

It was fun to go with them and

hang out with Sydney for a few hours.

The group would stop

at several places

and a couple of the kids

who had researched that particular building

would stand up and

tell the group about it.

We live in a pretty cool little town.
It was fun to learn more about it.

It was interesting to learn

about the fire

that happened 100 years ago

and how the people dealt with it,

and how such an event

could change an entire town

back then.

After the tour,

we all stopped at the park

for a picnic lunch.

Then headed back up to school.

I think that being there

made the history come alive for them,

and was so much more fun

than just reading about it.

We really enjoyed it!

Carnival

Living in a small town,

it's not too often that there are

new and exciting things to do.

So, when the carnival comes to town,

we go.

That big ferris wheel

drew us in first thing.

So we jumped on there

right away.

The 3 older kids

rode the swings,

they loved it.

However, you won't see me

riding any of those ones

that go in circles.

Not a good idea.

London was dying to ride

the merry-go-round.

But not those horses

that go up and down.

Just the seats

that stand still.

She was happy.

The hall of mirrors.

This one was
London's choice.
She rode it all by herself.

It was a great diversion and
a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Building Hogwart's

Austin got a set of

Harry Potter building cards

for Christmas.

He has built a couple of different

castles

with them so far.

He did this one on Sunday.

Maybe we have a future architect

in the making!

Fishing field trip

On Friday,

the 3rd grade classes

went over to the local pond

and got some pointers on fishing

from the Division of Wildlife officer.

He gave out free fishing poles

and helped them all

learn the basics.

Lots of parents

took the opportunity

to go fishing with their kids.

Sydney's getting to be a pro

at casting.

London really gets into it, too.



And we have to laugh
at some of her comments.
When she saw this,
she pointed down at the water
and said,
"Mom, look!
Someone dropped their hair
in there!"
Totally serious.
(I think.)










There's nothing better
than getting that

tug
on the line.
She quickly hands it
over to dad to reel in.













A little rainbow.
We had to pet it
before we let it go
back into the pond.

Hilarious comment #2
from London:
"Mom, look!
Someone dropped their
fluffy stuff in there!"
Again, totally serious.
(I think.)

It was a beautiful day,
perfect for spending some
quality time together
fishing at the pond.
Hooray for living
in a small mountain town!

Folk singing

The first graders had their music program

last Wednesday night.

They sang a variety of fun folk songs

to the teacher's guitar-playing.

Songs like Kumbayah,

She'll be Comin' 'Round the Mountain,

This Old Man, Old MacDonald,

Mr. Tally-Man, and The Man in the Woods

were fun to listen to

and sing along with.

And when the kids were done,

proud parents gave them

a standing ovation.

The kids did really well.

Just one more sign

that another school year

is rapidly coming to an end.

(Lots of field trips coming up!)

A beautiful spring day

It was a perfect

bubble-blowing day.

Bubble guns

are even better.

More action.

A perfect fort-building day, too.


And a perfect roller-blading evening.

The kind of day
you wish would last forever.