Johnsville Trail

This is the beginning of the trail for Johnsville Cemetry Trail... yes, we start at a cemerty. Although it is creepy to park and hike a trail next to cemetry we felt like it sould be worth it. The trail book we have says that it was a moderate hike, saying it would be classified as easy if the trail wasn't so steep. Here's the beginning of the trail... it's steep. We thought while walking it should have been classified as moderate to difficult... shale and loose rocks make it more difficult to hike. But it was a heck of a lot easier on the way up. Darlene said the hike better be worth it with the way the hike was down. Well, here's the first swimming hole we came across... we decided just to stay here since it was easy access... just a rope climb down...
Here's a pic from the end of the rope.
The kids absloutly loved it. There was a deep part and a shallow part. The kids we fine to be in the shallow part, it was never up to their knees. They spent the time throwing rocks into the water... Bren is learning to skip them.
Apparently Keith took these pictures of my dad at the higher up water hole. It was very nice. But they ended up joining us in the big on later.

This is me testing the deepness of the water. I didn't think it was deep enough to jump from the log...
so I decided to swim to the other side.
I held up my end of the bargin with Keith and jumped in... boy it was cold as ice. But once I was in I did not want to leave. And yes the kids ended up jumping from that same spot many times. I have to say Kaleigh did it with a lot less crying and whining.
Here is Keith hours later building up the dam. Keeping it nicer for the next group of people. Hopefully the next day we go it will be deeper (and warmer...lol). Oh side note... Keith and my dad grabbed logs from the area behind Keith and to the left... the giant log they moved to hold the dam ended up being on top of a beehive... Luckily he did not get stung. Just jumped in the water as fast as he could and I ran for dry land across the pond. It was nice the girls watched the boys build the dam. Brended wants everyone to know he did the most work.
We finally stopped for candy and some down time from building and swimming and jumping. Here is grandpa with his girls.
and here's Nana with her Boy! doesn't my dad look jealous in the background.
There's my hubby looking all freezing...lol

the final scene to come...

Fraiser Falls

So it was two weeks from today that we went to Frazier Falls. Brenden lead the way the entire time.

This is Keith and Kaleigh off roading.
... and a more official off road trek that they ended up passing and hurting the feelings of Brenden.
On the bridge.
There were many fallen trees. Everytime we saw one (which was often) Bren would stop point and tell us all about why trees fall/get cut down. This was was intresting because lying down it was just about as tall as B.
Woo Hoo we reached the viewing area. We actually passed the falls which was straight out from the bridge. But it wasn't bad at all only a 1/2 mile hike to the viewing area, and only a 1/4 mile to the actual falls. We ended up stopping there on the way back.

What a nice view it was. It actually fills up and rushes during the early spring.
A candid shot of Nana. With ol man G'Pop in the background.
A semi-candid shot of G'Pop. He always has to pose for the camera.
Nana, Wesley and Brenden...
they noticed I was taking pictures.
Snack time!!!
Kaleigh loves oranges.
Brenden was asked to get Wesley to the other side of the viewpoint.
He tried his hardest but so did Wesley.
The Mamas (Gretchen and Cassie)
Bren couldn't wait to pee. He actually dropped his shorts in front of a twelve year old girl. I quickly pulled them back up and he ran to ask Nana for help.
Brenden Wesley and Nana traversing the terrian.
View from the water towards the falls.
Brenden trying to get a better view.
The Mamas and G'Pop.
If you look very carefully you can see the snake that patrolled the waters.
That's my Pop, the Marine!
But I got distracted by a butterfly and missed a way awesome video the on lookers from the view point took of my dad traversing the waterfall.
Brenden gave the hike a thumbs up. We DID IT!

Gold Lake

We went on a lil drive with Nana and G'Pop last weekend. We found out we live very close to a place called Lakes Basin where there are about 40+ in just a matter of a few miles. The kids were anxious to jump in. However, we were actually hiking elsewhere this day.

Brenden was absloutly happy about finding the lake. But doesn't this look like a fake smile?

Keith says "This is what I look like with Kaleigh for a face."

This is the kids favorite pastime throwing rocks into water. They can and do do this for hours.

Madora Lake

Recently I woke up with Brenden to find Keith and Kaleigh missing... only to find a text that said on walk be back later.

They ended up hiking up steep steep paths to find a lake. A lake I knew we could drive to in one minute. So when Keith explained how hard it was. I told him I'd meet him there... luckily because he was so exhausted he wouldn't have made it back.

But once I arrived with juice and snacks the kids were ready for a walk around the entire lake.

Brenden had to wear this silly glasses... They're actually Kaleigh's and she loves it when Brenden puts them on. Whenever he does we call him Elton John.

We found a spot where you can actually see the lake... it was 3/4 of a mile... lol Brenden figured he could catch the fish that he saw with a branch he found nearby... to bad there wasn't a line.

The kids really enjoy throwing rocks into water either ponds, lakes or streams... but daddy always has to show them up.

THE Brenden is a Supermodel

Last night Keith and I were up watching TV, since our kids are finally back on sleep schedule. Halfway thru our show I hear "mommy, I see the picture." I look over and there's Brenden. After a little debating I realize this kids is not going back to bed, because he's standing in front of me screaming "mommy take THE Brenden's picture". I think this is going to be a great scrapbook page. So I start shooting and inbetween the ooooh and ahhhs and the Brenden's so handsome... (ALL FROM BRENDEN, SORRY 'THE BRENDEN') Here's a sample of what we have.

Front

Back

Here are his more playful poses.

Personally I enjoy the serious face, he trys so hard.

I shot my husband.

I had never heald a gun in my life, until today. Well, I couldn't resist I shot Keith in the thumb, simply because he was shooting at me. Yes, we went paintballing. Keith and my dad go weekly. Finally with my dad out of town I figured I could go without the pressure of being shot out by my dad. Since it was a small group we played a game where one would hide and the rest would hunt for the hidden or not so hidden. Keith was up first and we hunted for maybe ten minutes and I saw a gleem of light from the left and turned and opened fire. Oh it was awesome. I am definately doing that again. Next time we'll take the camera.

4th of July Fireworks

So , finally we get a day with no smoke... just happened to be the 4th. It was wonderful all day. A nice breather (litteraly). Too bad the next day we were covered in smoke twice as bad as the previous day.

It needs to be said we had to start at about 5 o'clock because a little young man saw the fireworks on the table and just went ballistic. He was very excited to start. Once we did Daddy kept building his own fireworks and this says it all...

G'Pop and Nana didn't think we had enough fireworks. So off they went to pick up more.

Well, that just gave us a lot more time, to build... but don't worry I didn't keep taking picutres of that. I do have video of a failed atempt where the whole firework caught on fire and stayed in the same spot... but I figured w/o explaniation it was just boring.

Brenden loves fireworks. He's still asking for them. He just wasn't a fan of some of the sounds.

*yes that is a bandaid on his forehead. He learned you can't jump on a sleeping dog... but they will lick you til you pee afterwards.

Kaleigh spent most of her time hiding near the front door. But when she know the firework wouldn't make a sound she was okay to run back and enjoyed it with the family.

It was a wonderful day. However we didn't end fireworks til about 11.