For Labor Day we went on one of our favorite hikes, to Bald Pate Mountain. Amy Beth was visiting and we had a fun hike. Oakley took the picture below of the view at the top. Then we came home and had hamburgers and homemade almond cream cheese ice cream (yum).

The Last Hurrah

Before school started, Lisa and I took all the kids up to the Poconos for a few days. It wasnt that long of a drive and it was really beautiful there. The kids were in heaven with lots of rocks and water and outdoors to explore. We did a pretty big hike up to some waterfalls and Tessa did pretty much all of it by herself. Oakley has become a little mountain goat and it a great hiker. We really had fun--thanks Lisa.

Summer Fun

I thought that I should put up a few pictures from things we have been doing this summer. We have had fun and are not sure where the time has gone...school is in 2 weeks.

We went on a little family vacation to the Berkshires in Western Mass. We rented a little house on a lake and had a fun time. Here we are on the top of the highest peak in MA, Mount Greylock. We drove up and then did some hiking.

There were lots of lakes for swimming and playing.

Oakley was a great little hiker.

Oakley and Bryce had a great time fishing off the dock at the end of our yard. They caught several of these little guys.

We jointed the community pool in our area and have enjoyed swimming almost every day. Oakley has become a great swimmer and can even go in the deep end now. Tessa has become more confident in the water and even Hathaway has liked splashing around.

Below are a few more pictures of our vacation in West Virginia with the Smith Family.

Dancing.

Bryce went hiking with some of the guys at Dolly Sods.

We hiked to Blackwater Falls.

Family vacation

We had a great family vacation with my family in West Virginia. It was a beautiful area and the house was great (each family had 2 bedrooms). The cousins had a great time playing together. Here are a few photos.

Tessa's playdate

Tessa just loves dogs. Her nursery teacher has a cocker spaniel puppy and she invited us to come and play one morning. Tessa had the time of her life with Mia (the puppy) and I think Mia had a fun time too.

A week without dad

So Bryce was off to Scout camp last week. A week of horse back riding, waterskiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking....and a tent full of 14 year old boys. While he was gone we managed to entertain ourselves and even take over a few of dad's jobs.

Oakley learned to give Hathaway her bottle (usually dad's job).

We visited cousins in DC for a few days.

We got along most of the time. But, we sure do like it better when dad is here.

4th of July

This year our family celebrated the 4th of July for about 3 days. We started off the festivities watching the Hamilton fireworks on Thursday night (which were really nice, by the way). Friday we had a hike to the top or Baldpate Mountain (the 2nd highest point in Mercer County--not that that's saying much). We had a picnic and games when we got to the top. The kids were great hikers and we had an all American meal of hummus, pitas, potato chips and rice krispie treats (can you tell who picked the menu?).

Saturday morning we had our traditional waffle breakfast, which is always a lot of fun. Bryce was in charge of cooking waffles again (and it looks like he ate a few too).

Saturday afternoon we went to Howell Living Farm for games and homemade ice cream. We got there a little late but dad got there in time for the last batch of homemade strawberry ice cream.