Trip to the Cabin ~ July

We enjoyed a very relaxing, long weekend up at our family cabin near Packwood. After we finished unpacking the car, the first thing the kids wanted to do was throw rocks into the creek.
The sun's reflection off the water was so bright, I had to switch this picture to black and white.
Carter telling me... "just one more"
Cristian throwing rocks
Then we changed into our suits and walked to the pool!
I couldn't help but notice that all three of them are built the same way, especially the legs. They all look identical.
Carter having fun swimming with Auntie
Big Jump
We had no idea my friend Julie and her two kids, Hannah and Daniel were going to be up in Packwood too. A friend of theirs has a cabin in the development and invited them to come up for a couple of days. Cristian was very happy to have a friend to swim around and play with!
Cristian and Daniel, friends from preschool, and just 2 days apart in age.
Carter playing Chop, Chop, Timber and falling backwards into the pool
Ava taking a little nap
3 kiddos
Carter and Mia having a staring contest. He laid there like this for quite awhile watching Mia eat her bone.
Cristian playing his DS one morning
We also played a few games of tennis!
Carter was the surprise of the morning... every ball I tossed towards him he hit back at me
what great hand-eye coordination for a 2 year old!
Kyle swimming with the kids
Cristian playing the football toss game

Ava playing the game too

Carter even tossed a few footballs for them to try and catch :)

Ava learning how to use an iPad.
A very manly fire
Cristian and Ava involved in a very serious game of "Who can hit that tree stump" in the water
Man vs Wild
Our annual picture around the fire pit :)
My mom got giant marshmallows!!
Ava playing on the big toy
Carter playing on the big toy
We did some batting practice
Ava's turn... Cristian fielding her balls
Cristian swinging
and swimming
Carter surfing on a noodle
Carter trying to squirt me with his water gun
Carter being tossed in the air

Ava being tossed into the air by Grandpa

Carter and Grampie playing with some water rockets

Carter getting ready to jump into the pool
Mommy and Carter... I'm trying to get him excited about doing a head bob
not so exciting though... LOL
On the last day of our trip, Ava took her floaties off and conquered her slight fear of swimming alone.
She swam all over the pool and turned into a little fish! Can't wait for her swim lessons teacher to see her next week!! She'll be shocked!
Carter and Nannie taking a little snooze
Cristian and Ava picked some little daisies in the field for me
Picture taken by Ava... she wanted us to give the "Thumbs up" if we had so much fun at the cabin!
On our way out of town, we stopped at this new little cafe for some ice cream. YUM!

Butterflies and Ladybugs

Ava, for her birthday, got the Insect Lore, Butterfly Garden and Lady Bug Land kits. We waited for our weather to warm up enough so we would be able to release them into our yard. Even though this is our 3rd time having these butterflies, the kids are just as fascinated each time. They enjoy watching the caterpillars grow, and grow, and GROW, until they finally turn into beautiful butterflies.

Here they are opening the net to release them.
One of the 5 was really friendly, and stuck around us for awhile, but the other 4 were off to find flowers right away :)
Ava holding a butterfly
Here's a picture of one of the ones that flew off right away, although he kind of blends in with the dead lilacs.
This was the first time we raised lady bugs, and oh boy is it ever interesting. I learned a lot about these cute little bugs. We released them into our rose garden, and even over a week later, we still see them there! Guess they found plenty of aphids to feast on.
There they are, crawling around in their habitat
The kids let them go one, by one.

Carter holding a lady bug
finding the perfect leaf for their bugs
Such a fun summer science project for the kids!!