Last Camping Pictures of the Season

This was the first weekend of Ben's two week vacation for hunting. These are also the last pictures of camping. I got sick the second weekend we went up to visit, so no pictures were taken. While I was in the trailer with a fever and the flu, Ben did take care of Taylor all day, which included a three hour 4-wheeler ride with everyone. They had a wonderful time!

The long 4-wheeler rides are one of my favorite things. Ben and "Ricky Ricky" both got grouse.

Taylor said, "I'm not eating that." However, she actually liked it and did eat a lot of it.

I was glad I had my camera in my hand when she gave me this big squeeze and a kiss...

Just another picture of my pretty girl...who will turn three very soon...last camping trip for my two year old girl...

We enjoyed the sunset as we listened to the elk in the distance. The elk who are still in the distance because Ben has not gotten one yet this year. However, I am reminded that there is still time...something about a muzzle loader...oh good.

Warm September

In an effort to enjoy our long summer, Lorinda and I took the girls for a long walk along the lake. After our walk, we let them run around, and we took pictures.

As we were unloading, Lorinda realized she didn't have shoes for Makenna. Lucky for her, I happened to have 7 pairs of shoes in my car for Taylor. Makenna borrowed a pair, and Taylor kept watching them, reminding Makenna, and us that they were actually her shoes. I think she was a little concerned.

We then walked downtown for lunch and then to the fountain to let the girls play.

It was hot enough for me to get new tan lines...I was very pleased.

I feel very blessed to live in such a pretty place. I love that there are so many pretty places we can take the girls to play.

I had 7 pairs of shoes, but only one bucket and one shovel. Reluctantly, Taylor shared.

This is the face she made when it wasn't her turn...and probably shortly before it was time to go for the day. We did have a lot of fun!

Welcome Madelyn Party

After Taylor and I left Ben in the woods for two weeks to hunt for elk, we went to a party. Madelyn's grandparents had a welcome Madelyn party. This is Brandon and Holly's little girl, she is about two months old in this picture, and looks a lot like her daddy...but so does Taylor. I never thought of Brandon and Ben as pretty girls until we had Madelyn and Taylor.

Taylor had a great time playing in the yard with the dogs and just running around. I had to get a picture of her in her "pretty, pretty sandals." She picked these out and absolutely loves them!

Cute blue toes too Taylor :)

Wear Wrist Braces When Skating

I do enjoy the fall colors and the crispness in the air. Unfortunately, for me, the change in the weather has caused my right arm to ache. Taylor has asked about my scares on my right wrist. I told her the story about roller blading and how I was knocked down and broke my arms. Then she says, "Remember, when I was skating, and the boy pushed me, and I broke my leg." She is in active imagination mode these days.

My kids on the Carousal...19 years apart

Above is a picture of Matt one month after he turned 3...7-16-90, riding the Carousal at Disneyland. Below is Taylor riding the Carousal at Silverwood about one month before she will turn 3 on 10-2-09.

Better just go with regular gas...

What a FUN Summer!

We have spent many wonderful weekends out camping this summer. One of my favorite things to do is go on 4-wheeler rides with Ben and Taylor, and all our friends.

These are just some of my favorite pictures of several weekends of camping. Taylor is looking at "Ricky Ricky" as she calls my cousin...clearly he is funny to her.

Taylor will often fall asleep once we get going on our rides, but when she wakes up she is ready to play...

Taylor became a big fan of Parker's this summer. He shared licorice with her and caught a frog for her once, which jumped out of her hand. She talks about it, "remember when Parker got that frog for me....and it jumped out of my hand? I like Parker." She always looks for her "friends" when we go camping.

We stop to have a little snack and play....I love her little blue toes...

I get some cute pictures with my camera phone as we ride along.

Sometimes Taylor just likes to play inside the trailer. The closet is a favorite. We play hide-and-seek. She always hides in the closet, but I still have trouble finding her :)

This was the evening before opening day. We went for a little ride to look for, and listen for elk...Taylor fell asleep...

But, when she woke up...she was ready for fun helped look for the elk too...

I was taking quite a few pictures, while waiting for Ben to find these elk he would hunt the next morning...but, this is one of my favorite pictures of us...

So much fun to be had while camping...even in the rain.

Bobbie offered a bag of M&Ms to Taylor and Kayleen to share while they were playing in the trailer, Taylor said, "Oh yes, that would be so yummy." This is Taylor and her camping friends, Paige, Grant and Kayleen. They have elk calls...yep, children of hunters...

Taylor and Zach...she loves his soft ears. We are happy she can play with pets of others...

Maybe she is showing Zach her elk call...

We have this wonderful little generator. I am so happy to have it. I can use my microwave, curl my hair, and Taylor can watch DVDs, all in the middle of the woods. It is quieter than some, but clearly Taylor still thinks it is a little loud...as she plugs her ears, while helping her daddy...

I forgot Taylor's helmet last weekend, so she happily borrowed Paige's. She also got Paige's old rain coat. How cool is that! See how well it matches her rain boots...SO CUTE!!

We are getting ready to head off to get some fire wood...always fun.

Taylor is waiting, and listening as her daddy cuts some wood.

She even helped load up the trailer...I'm sure she is concerned that her hands might be a little dirty...that's my girl...

Daddy took us out again to listen for elk....

And here is Taylor and Hunter...she happily posed for this picture...

Catching rain drops...

We live in a beautiful place!

We had such a fun summer. I cannot remember the last time I was able to spend so much time, just having fun in the sun...camping, and all the fun Taylor and I had at Boulder Beach. I do have a great job...Thanks Ben!

This is a video I took of Taylor talking to Hunter before we left to come home. Unfortunately, my camera ran out of room, so it cut off, but this is what she said, "He wants me to stay at camping, but I need to stay at home. I'll come back soon...and see you."

Daddy goes to Silverwood, August 21, 2009

Taylor and I got a lot of sun this summer going to Silverwood. She was very excited when she had the opportunity to take her daddy, so she could show him all her favorite rides and things to do. First ride was the carousal.

Then we were lucky enough to see Garfield. Taylor did not want to let go.

She loves the little toot roller coaster. She holds up her hands at the scary part...

Then she likes to hang on...so sweet!

She showed him the bouncy bridge.

She asked her daddy to take her on the Ferris Wheel. I am not a fan, therefore, she had never riden it before. She was so excited (and brave)!

A week later, since she liked the Ferris Wheel so much, I thought I would be brave and take her on it myself. As we were sitting at the top, waiting for people to get on each cart, I prayed for strength to stay on this ride, which was freaking me out. I had my arm around Taylor, pretending to be calm, "Taylor, please don't wiggle." She said, "I can breath." I said, "Yes, you can breath, but please try not to wiggle." I don't think I will be taking her on that ride again any time soon. I am not a fan.

But, I do love the log ride. If you ask Taylor she will tell you mommies favorite is the log ride. She will only go on it once (if that) each time we visit. She did take her daddy.

I'm trying to get a family picture...not an easy task. Taylor does play with her toys like a log ride, "tick, tick, tick, tick....weeeeeee....splash!"

Then we took daddy to Boulder Beach, where we have spent many hot days this summer.

Ben said it was definitely worth the season pass, since Taylor and I have spent so much time there. I'm sure we will get another pass for next summer....yay for us!