s'more summer fun

hiking to the hot springs
bonus, a waterfall into the hot springs

happy birthday!
dodging mosquitos
a black-bottom cupcake for the birthday girl
shooting off rockets
pre-race smiles
ready



watching and waiting {notice eli's hammer. all the kids made one, so industrious}
the kids cheering dave on
mom & i and our staged finish since no one was there to see us cross. yup, that's pretty much what we looked like...

chuck rolling in...
the kids waiting for the guys at the finish line...
dave & dad coming to the finish line

audrey demonstrates the perfect canon ball
i think everyone got air but eli...
c.j. & ida
lisa

we got back last night from the cabin.

the weather was alright, a bit patchy, some sun, some rain. the kids had fun playing with cousins, building forts, making caveman hammers out of rock/wood/industrial packing tape. the guys ran their guts out in the "loop the lake" 1/2 marathon while we were there. mom and i registered the day before and did the 10k. it was really, really fun. the great part about the 1/2 marathon race route this year was that it passed by the cabin twice which gave the kids an opportunity to cheer on their dads and grandpa. when everything was said and done the 1/2 marathon was a torturous experience for the poor guys. on the other hand, mom and i had a really great time with the 10k. here's my opinion, 10ks are the perfect distance. not to long, not to short. it takes you out of your comfort zone. good stuff. i never would have been able to complete the 1/2. good job guys.

we did some hiking up by fairmont to some natural springs on lisa's birthday. on another day, c.j. busted out his rockets and the kids raced around a scrubby field trying to recover the rocket and their army men that would parachute down after they would blast off. if they weren't running around, they were having a dance party in the dirt parking lot with lisa and i. i pumped up the music and opened the doors to the van, it was pretty ghetto but the kids loved it.

we swam at the lake, we baked cookies and squares. we had delicious meals and chatted into the evenings.

hey cabin, you rule.