Our Vacation

Jared took a week off of work so we planned a camping trip to the family favorite camping area. The boys loved it, we thought we all might get bored without Grandma/Grandpa on either side coming too but it was very relaxing and nice to go at a slow pace. We took bikes, baseball equipment, and our dog. This little hike was perfect for Bennett, it wasn't too far from camp either. We had our first experience running the trailer into a tree trying to make a tight turn. The tree and trailer were okay though.

The only part about camping that was less than ideal were the mosquitoes. We all came home with a few bites, even using repellant. But the temperatures were ideal during the day and chilly at night, perfect for a campfire.

 I don't know what it is with boys and sticks but they literally go hand in hand. And, there's always a BETTER stick in your brother's hand. Somehow. Thankfully no one got their eye poked out. We did see some of the fish who were spawning trying to jump up waterfalls and generally get up river however they could. It was interesting, and they were large fish.

Paxton was SURE he wanted to swim in a lake...we kept telling him he'd get too cold but we did let him wade in and see for himself just how cold the water is. Not exactly the giant swimming pool that he probably thought he'd get. He didn't get in past his knees before he said "sometimes I want to swim and sometimes I don't". This time he didn't. We did have the canoe and took the boys out in it; I didn't take the camera in the boat for fear our two year old, who loves to lean over the side, would tip the whole boat over.

Some of the days the wind kept us off the water but Jared had other ideas. He spent a little time harvesting his own clay to make pots. One of the pottery teachers at his work warned Jared that digging his own clay is a sign of things to come - long hair, a beard, and wearing tie-dye.

On the last of Jared's days off we decided to take Frontrunner and Trax up to the Arts Festival. The boys enjoyed both train rides and the festival was great. This photo shows our "friend" the trombone player who was waiting for his train too. He was a friendly kid who asked if his playing was bothering us. To the contrary, it was fun.

This was at the festival in the children's art yard where kids could paint a piece of cardboard that would later be used to assemble a monster. Paxton also got to play a trumpet in another booth.

This "spider web" was Bennett's favorite part. He liked to walk under it and was also fascinated with the "bugs and spiders" hanging from it. This was another project kids could work on and add their creations to. There was a booth selling peanut butter/jam sandwiches and milk for $2...that was too good to pass up for the boys.  They wouldn't appreciate spanakopita or  Peruvian food anyway.

This little staged scene included a couch, rug, lamp, table and walls which could ALL be drawn on with colors of the kids' choice. There was a sign posted "Do not try this at home" in front of the exhibit. No kidding. I don't think even the magic erasure could handle that job.

Since it was a warm day, the boys asked to splash in the fountain. When it was time to go, Bennett did NOT want to leave the water and had as close to a tantrum as we've ever seen. He does have a little temper showing up these days, as well as changing his mind waaaay to much.

But Bennett is also hilarious. One day he was interrogating Paxton at lunch with questions like, "Is this  mine?, Is that yours?, Can I have some?, Is this your shoulder? (while he grabs Paxton's shoulder). He's also a tease in more ways than one.  We've reached the awkward to-nap-or-not-to-nap stage. He will lay down, and mostly stay in his bed, but in it he is looking at books, playing with toys, singing, jumping up and down, you get the idea. And then when he doesn't nap he's falling asleep at dinner. Most of you have been there.

We (meaning Mom, the boys, and Grandma) were able to go to the Parade for Strawberry Days. I thought it would be too commercial, as some have become, but it really was great. Just the traditional kinds of entries, bands, high school and local dance groups, fire and police people and just a few politicians here and there.

The policemen on their motorcycles in this pic were definitely the boys' favorite, with the firetrucks (our city has a GIANT one) a close second. There was also a little group with bikes and a ramp that did flips and other tricks...my favorite.

And, we were lucky enough to run into good friends to sit by with a little shade too. When the candy was thrown out, Bennett eventually caught on to run and grab some...the group next to us was pretty quick though, and not the kids in it if you know what I mean. So we had a nice week, more of our style than taking giant trips to distant places. Someday we'll get to Disneyland : )