Fern Fun

In my parents attempt to show our guests unlimited fun...
We drove down the foggy coast to Fern Canyon.
E. got her first trip in my kid carrier.
She was not quite big enough.

Here we all are fording the stream on a log...
There were a lot of logs to cross...

There were lots of ferns as promised
and cold water flowing everywhere...

We let our parents help us...it made them feel better.

There was beauty all around--but
there really was not much trail on this trail...
and I do not remember my parents mentioning
the water either...

Smith Swim

I took A. and Aunt Betsy to the river
where Daddy and I rode the current.

It looked like so much fun that Bear joined us.

E. put on her suit but did not do much swimming.

E. just sat around in the shade looking cute.

Aunt Betsy and Linda not catching the rays.

I let A. borrow my life vest and I am sporting
my float suit (it's a speedo).

Rocking Redwoods

I took A. to visit the Redwoods.

We posed for a few pictures with
Aunt Linda.

We chased Bear through the trees.

We got to cross the new bridge with Aunt Betsy.

We posed by the trees because everyone wants our picture.

We found a place to swim...
when we are older.

Glamping

My Aunt Linda and my cousin A. came camping with us this July.
They wore their panther shirts to support the name of the campground.

It was nice and hot.

E. seemed to enjoy just hanging around outside.

I love the early morning breakfasts.
Hot chocolate, oj, eggs, bacon and pancakes--
all cooked on my great grandparents old Coleman camp stove.
(Rumor has it my great grandparents first used the
stove on their honeymoon to Yosemite.)

We get to cook marshmallows over the fire.
(Don't worry--E. did not get to eat any...)

Here we are in front of the sign again.
with the addition of A.'s Mom and my Mom too.

River Run

In July we took a road trip in honor of my Dad's day off.
We drove by this incredible river on a one way windy highway.

It was a place with great rocks
and snake possibilities.

Bear was the only one who got to swim.
I just got my feet wet.

E. was dressed in such a way as to avoid sun exposure.
The strap on her hat never stayed under her chin.

It was a really remote spot.
We did not see anyone else by this lovely and lonely river.

Celebrating Z

In July we celebrated Z being around for a year.
Here he is with the cake he refused to touch.

I gave him what I thought was an appropriate gift.

O., E., and I posed by the tower of cupcakes.

E. made yet another conquest--
an adult willing to hold her all afternoon.

I worked on my swing pushing technique.
This was right before I realized you should not stand
behind the swing--some lessons hurt.

I got to play with Z.'s new toy.

We got to pour water on O.'s Dad.
He must have been hot.

Finally no party is complete without
O.'s Grandma giving someone a haircut.
This is E.'s first.

Stars and Stripes

On July 4th--Erica dressed up in a dress covered with stars.

My parents took me to the park to play.

We stopped by the creek to throw some rocks.

Later we crashed a party.

Where we watched the fireworks from the front yard.
We saw a lot of E.'s big eye look.

I got to play with a sparkler.

Then all the kids tried to set my hair on fire...
Not really--but it looks like it doesn't it?

All I can say is--
God bless the USA!

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