Camping in Cascade

We decided to head up to Cascade to camp and play in the water. On our way there we had to wait awhile for road construction on the Hwy so we took some photos and played on the side of the road.

Owen with antennas

Ashley with headphone antennas

Crazy bug kids

 

Stacy enjoying the scenery

Time to sword fight.

Mike waiting patiently

Once we got to our campsite we set up the tent then went to play in the water. The kids had a great time playing in the sand and exploring all the cool rocks and little caves. Then we headed back to camp for dinner and smores. The next morning we packed up before it got hot and had breakfast. Then we drove to another camp ground to explore, fish and play in the water. We had a picnic lunch then headed home. It was a fun little over nighter.

Setting up the tent and blowing up air mattresses

Kids ready to play in the water

Ashley on the beach, boys in the water

Owen watch out, there's a sea monster behind you

Stacy on the shoreline

Mike checking out the cool rocks

Awww, they were helping each other.

Couch rock

Dinnertime, finger food style

Ashley with her flag snack tray

Ashley and Owen thought these two giant rocks looked like a huge turtle

Playing in the sunlight

You never know what types of creatures you will find.

Playing with our shadows

Smores!

Ashley found a little cave

Owen fishing

Mike and Owen checking out Ashley's cave

Landon's 2nd Birthday

This cute little blond monkey turned 2 this weekend so we all got together at his house in Weiser for a pool party. When we arrived he was still napping so somehow I missed getting a photo of him by the pool but this one above it so darn cute. We all enjoyed swimming, yummy food and Landon's dirt cake in a dump truck. Thanks, Ruby for inviting all of us!

Owen and Alaina in the pool

Mike with little blond monkeys attacking him - Owen, Ashley, Layla, Lexi and Alyse

Big girls side of the pool

Yes, Mike is one of the kids.

Landon with his dump truck dirt cake

Landon with lots of help blowing out his candles

Girls eating cake and ice cream - Layla, Lexi, Alyse, Alaina and Ashley

Grandma Reva and Landon enjoying strawberries

Uncle Mike and Audrey

Super Landon opening presents

Nyssa ThunderEgg Days

My belly dance troop Habibi Nada performed this weekend at the Nyssa ThunderEgg Days. It was our first performance so far this year and it was a lot of fun. We all did five different dances plus a few solos.  My niece Mariah and I performed a duet that she choreographed for us.  We lucked out and the weather was cooler than other years have been and there was a nice breeze which felt great. I'm looking forward to our next performance!

Ashley in the stands watching the dancers on stage

Ashley at the Nyssa ThunderEgg Days

Owen at the Nyssa ThunderEgg Days

4th of July/Mike's Birthday

This was a busy week with Mike's birthday and the 4th of July. Reva and Al came over on Sunday night with this beautiful flag Mike's grandmother made in the early 70's to give to Mike and a yummy strawberry pie. She also offered to take Ashley and Owen with her to Mike's sister Ruby's house the following day to spend two nights and play with cousins which gave us some time without kids. We really enjoyed the couple days of quiet, went to dinner at Sizzlers and out to see a movie. Wednesday I spent all day working on Mike's cake without a stand mixer since mine died. The three different cakes weren't to hard but homemade frosting is hard to mix by hand.

The fourth of July was a very busy day with the parade, car show, booths to look at, games for the kids, water fight and free swimming at the city pool. I was wiped out by 2pm but then we came home to finish getting food ready for the BBQ while the kids played in the pool. Family started arriving and Mike BBQ'd hamburgers and hotdogs. There was way to much yummy food. Then we sang happy birthday to Mike and he blew out the 42 sparkler candles. A few hours later the kids lit a few sparklers in the front yard then we headed out to go watch the big fireworks which were awesome as usual. Once back home my brother-in-law Will lit a bunch more fireworks in the road infront of our house while the kids did more sparklers. We finally wrapped up the day at 12:30 am. It was a great day but I'm ready for a nap. :)

Mike, Owen and Ashley at the Caldwell 4th of July Parade

Cousin Amanda in the Caldwell 4th of July Parade

Watching the parade with Aunt Carla and Uncle Cliff

Owen with a Macaw at the car show

Aunt Carla by a camel at the Memorial Park 4th of July Celebration

Amanda at the Memorial Park 4th of July Celebration

Amanda and Ashley at the Memorial Park 4th of July Celebration

Water fight at the Memorial Park 4th of July Celebration

My sister Molly and daughter Delaney in our backyard

Delaney getting her toenails painted

My nephew Mason in the pool

Hanging out in the backyard

Wow, Owen and Mason with mustaches

More family in the backyard

Mike with his birthday cake

Mike cutting his red, white and blue cake

Delaney ready for cake

Uncle Will lighting sparklers for the kids

Owen with a sparkler

Mason with a sparkler

More sparklers

Ready for the big fireworks to start.