I Declare It To Be Summer!!

This Memorial Day weekend has been so beautiful here in the Tundra. We've spent a lot of time outside and just being together. Nicole is up at Courtney's cabin for the weekend - she will have tales to tell as they got stuck in lake mud in the jeep (several years ago when the girls were first driving, Courtney was the one to back her car up into a snow bank at the end of the drive-way, so go figure :). Courtney's brother came to get them out of the mud, and he got stuck too. Good ol' lake fun! We've had a weekend of waterfalls, the drive in, the river, grilling out, and being with friends. Although the kids have 7 days of school left, I declare it to be summer! It sure felt it started this weekend. We will be grilling out with friends this afternoon and enjoying our sunny 80 degree day!

Happy Memorial Day

On Saturday, Casey was swimming at Kari's new pool (which is where we'll be alot this summer), so Cary, Austin & I went to Willow Falls State Park in Wisconsin. It's one of our favorite places to visit, and the weather was gorgeous. We hiked 5 miles in and out to the Falls, and it's always worth it!

The best treat after a long hot walk....

Our sweet little drive-in is always on the chopping board with the city, which causes us stress each year! It's not a big money maker (taxes for the city) because although it's ALWAYS busy, they charge $8/adults and $1/kids for TWO movies. I feel like we step back in time a little when we are here, so I really hope it manages to fight to stay.

As my friends in KH say, "you can take the girl out of Keystone, but....."

This sunset was incredible!!!!

Waiting on Shrek to begin...

First river trip of the season! Yay! It just settles in that summer is here when you're at the river. We met our friends, the Nyquists, and their sons, Brandon and Ryan. Austin had a blast playing with the "guys". Ryan is heading to Thailand in June for a month for missions. Ryan was a young boy when his parents were missionaries there, and has always had a passion for the region.

It's blurry but my hubby is in front of all that stuff! He's the man....superman :)

Babies, Babies

Austin and I went to the pond this morning to feed the baby geese. We haven't been there in about a week and I was amazed how fast they have grown. We also have two baby birds in our nest, and I think that's all that's going to hatch. They've been there about a week and now the challenge is to keep the gray kitty away from them! Stormy is very curious about what's in that hanging flower basket....

Baby geese ten days ago...

This morning...

They ate right from my hand (only the adult goose did)

I think this picture is so cute - all their little heads under water :)

Here are the purple finch babies

This pic is from a week ago

and this was this morning - they are getting feathers now.

Our Very Active Girl

Miss Casey had a big day today! She was chosen to compete in 4 events at the conference final for track - the hurdles, 100 meter dash, 4x100 relay and high jump. She is very excited because she did her personal best in the high jump - 4 feet, 6 inches - and tied for 1st place with 3 other 7th graders from other schools. Yay Casey! We are sad to see track season end. Little did we know back in April that our 13 year old would fall in love with running. She excelled at the hurdles and high jump, and is already planning on when and where she will run through the year to condition. It's so fun to see a child discover a new passion! After the track meet, which was HOT and tiring, she then had to make a quick change at home and head to the middle school for the 7th grade band concert. They were awesome! It's a whirlwind in May with lots of school events, but very fun and rewarding to see the kids' progress throughout the year.

Casey and Amanda have been the same relay team throughout the season.

Friends, on and off the field! Gina, Kari & Casey

Taylor and Casey - matchy, matchy!

Some healthy nourishment from S.A.!

YOU GO GIRL!

This is what Travis & Austin have done every Thursday and some Tuesday afternoons - they were troopers.

Casey waiting her turn at the high jump.

Ready, set, go!

All the kids were loaded on the bus, and then we found this....Miss Kari plumb tuckered out and sound asleep!

1st video - Casey is closest to the fence. 2nd video she is on right in the gray shirt.

And then on to the band concert. Whew!

I got a giggle out of watching all the feet tapping out the tempo. Brought back memories!