Hiking Eagle Trail

This summer we are going to try and do a family hike once a week. Our first one on Friday was in the Magic Mountain area about 45 minutes from Twin. Eagle loop is a fairly simple, kid-friendly hike. The beginning and end take you through a wooded area, while the center section covers a more dry sage brush area on the top of the hill. The weather was perfect with sunshine and a slight breeze. The girls loved the scenery. Lisa walked the entire 2 1/2 miles on her own and was excited to point out the many wonders she encountered. We would definitely repeat this hike and maybe even make it a camping trip. 

Fun with Friends

Shortly after we moved to Twin Falls last summer, we became acquainted with Donna and Tony. It has been so much fun getting to know them and their kids, Taura, Tao and Ollie. The kids seem to get along and Lisa and Lyra love spending time with them. I have come to think of Donna and Tony as "doers". I greatly admire their creative and adventurous outlook on life. They think of a project or idea and then set out to make it happen. Very generous, thoughtful and genuine people. 

Donna and Tony

Taura

Tao

Ollie

I love how our children seem to disappear the moment we arrive at Donna and Tony's, off to explore and make mischief. This, by the way, is the last time that pacifier made contact with that cute little mouth. When we did find it in the grass a few days later, we decided to throw it out and be done with it. She was getting much too attached anyway. 

Thanks to Donna and Tony, we are enjoying our first garden planted together. They offered us half of the space in their backyard garden and it has been very rewarding to plant, weed, and watch it grow. Lettuce, spinach, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, beans and peas. 

Yuba City Fun

Pickin' berries...

Pickin' cherries...

Rockets!

**not pictured here...

1. fabulous pedicure and shopping day with mom

2. crazy fun glow-stick party with Aunt Katie and Marmee

Fieth family camp out

The second week of our vacation to California started with a Fieth family camp out at New Brighton State Beach Park in Capitola.  It was so great to have everyone there. The camp site is located on a cliff right above the beach, making it possible to enjoy the best of both worlds. We visited around the campfire by night and soaked up some sun on the beach during the day. The girls did pretty well sleeping in a tent and enjoyed the special attention from so much family. Hope we can do another trip like this in the future. 

I learned a new word on this trip: "Rip" tide. There was a strong one here and it created this little ledge the kids played on for hours until it was eventually washed away.

Like most other children this age, eating the sand seemed like a great idea to Lyra.

Synchronized sunscreen application by Derek and Allison

 Nothing like laughter shared with those you love

Templeton, Ca

During our two week trip to California this month, we had the opportunity to spend two days camping near Santa Cruz with the Fieth family. The timing worked out so that we could leave Anaheim and drive up Highway 101 to meet everyone at New Brighton State Beach in Capitola. Because there would be one night before we were supposed to be at the campsite, we stopped in Templeton to stay with our neighbors from Twin Falls who were also vacationing in California that week.  When Jon and Sarah heard we would be traveling through, they generously offered for us to stay at his parents' home, a beautiful place in the hills between I-5 and the Pacific ocean. The girls loved petting the horses, chasing the chickens and playing with Jon and Sarah's daughter, Addie. 

Disneyland 2011

It doesn't seem to matter how old you get... Disneyland is magical! A few weeks ago we went with the Terry family to Anaheim for a few days and had a great time exploring the parks together. It is becoming a fun family tradition to try and go every four years and we are grateful to Gramommy and Grandpa for making it happen this year. After spending some time with the Terrys, we met up with Karl and Wesley for our last day in the park and a trip to Newport beach the next day. In the three days we were there I discovered that the music and fireworks show still gives me goosebumps, Splash Mountain is still my favorite ride, and I have no idea how my parents took five children to Disneyland! Lisa already wants to go back and I think it will be fun to go again when Lyra will remember it. 

Lyra has a tendency to wander off pretty quickly so Grandpa thought it would be a good idea to try one of the little child leashes disguised as animal backpacks. It worked out pretty well and gave us a little peace of mind while facing the huge crowds.

Lisa would have rather spent the entire time with Gramommy and her aunts, but she did eventually give in to hanging out and even having fun with mom and dad. 

Lisa had very strict criteria about which rides were acceptable choices to her: nothing dark, nothing fast,  nothing dizzy. Her favorites included Small World, Jungle Safari and the carousel.

Taking a few minutes to stop and rest, a critical component of a successful Disneyland trip.

Plus, you get such cute pictures when they are stopping to enjoy their cotton candy in the shade

The one character we stood in line for 30 minutes to meet: Lisa's favorite new heroine from the movie Tangled. Rapunzel! "Is your hair real?" Lisa asked. We were thinking Rapunzel might be getting a little tired of that question when she responded. "Yes, is yours?"  

Partners in crime, Wesley and Lisa

Wesley is eight years old and was not afraid of a single ride 

Lisa's face says it all. "I hate this ride. I will never go on it again."

Lisa's prize for being brave enough to at least try Splash Mountain 

Just because I felt the urge to buy my child a lollipop as big as her face.

See you next time, Disneyland!