Grown up

Lauren and I were chatting in the car before her dance class this morning.  She was talking about how life will be when she's grown up - so sweet!

Upon request...I tried joining them.  Serious head rush! I think I'll stick to taking pictures.

just for fun

Blake age 4

Lauren age 4

Lake Thomas

While the boys were away, Lauren had a little girls trip of our own.  We headed over to visit my Aunt and Uncle at Lake Thomas.  It was so relaxing.  We did a little huckleberry picking, swam, read, went boating, tubing, went for canoe rides and Lauren made "muffins" on the dock all afternoon.  It was so nice. 

She was a good little picker, Grandma Claudia would be so proud.

 A storm came in late one afternoon.  Here's Lauren on the dock before the lighting started and a pic of the canoe the morning after.

 My Aunt found some good huckleberry bushes on our way back to the car....so she brought them home! Here they are picking their berries on the dock.  Think we're obsessed?

Chad packed Lauren's fishing pole before we left.  Our last night at the cabin Lauren wanted to do a little fishing.  I tried to get away with just having her put her line in the water without a hook or bait.  She looked at me and said "Dad packed the tackle box, I need a hook to catch a fish". Nothing gets past this kid, so I got out the hooks and we put a marshmallow on the end of her fishing pole, first cast and she caught a fish! 

Lauren took our picture

Alaska

As part of Blake's birthday present, he and Chad went to Alaska to visit Grandma and Grandad on their boat and do some fishing.  The guys just got back this evening and they were so excited about their trip.  They brought back 200 lbs of salmon! I asked Blake what the best part of the trip was.  He said "spending time with Dad".  They had an awesome trip and my mother in law sent them home with suitcases full of clean laundry - THANK YOU!

 

 The view coming into Sitka.

 

My inlaws boat.  Just kidding! I guess it was their neighbor for a night.

 Blake's birthday cake

 My fishermen

 The Raptor Center

 The Bear Sanctuary 

Gage's halibut - way to go buddy!

More Birthday Fun

On Blake's birthday we went climbing with some good friends. Everyone had fun, but I have to say Lauren was pretty amazing to watch.  She was fearless and she just flew up the wall. Also, my daughter pretty much refuses to have a male teacher of any kind but she LOVED the climbing teacher, Danny.  Danny had nose piercings, large earring that looked like bones and he was telling Lauren that he used to have dreadlocks (as if she has a clue about dreadlocks).  She listened intently to his every word and kept giggling. Lauren, your dad is not going to like this, at all. 

Blake requested sushi for dinner at his favorite spot iSushi. Afterward we went for frozen yogurt before coming home and packing like crazy.