Lake Time

Day two at Wallowa continued...

Had some fun in the water in the afternoon when it was the hottest, somewhere in the 90's.

Finding rocks at the bottom with their dollar store snorkels. They've had so much fun with those snorkels this summer.  

Splash time!

Yohn and I played in the water a little too, but I really didn't get any photos of us. Decent ones anyways, there were a few unflattering ones we both managed to take of each other, but I'll spare you those. ;)

Even when the fun was winding down and Elisha had called it a day and wanted to go "home", she found a log to call her boat and kept going and going and going...

Hike

We woke up the next morning with an adventure ahead. After looking over the available trails we took the easiest one, the Wallowa Lake Overlook. 

Bethany loved the fact these horses were practically our neighbors. There was actually a sign that said "Beware! We bite. Pet at your own risk. My daughter was willing to take that risk and after feeding the horses some leftover hay off of the ground they were all happy to let my kids pet them.

The trail we chose was an easy one. We only brought water with us, since we didn't plan to be gone too long. 

This picture does not do justice to what we were looking at. My kids made me nervous standing there as there was a deep ravine in which the Wallowa River roared down.

Again the picture doesn't do it justice. This river is loud as it crashes down the mountain. Swift and scary, but beautiful.

I actually expected the overlook to be a lot closer to the lake, but still the view was beautiful.

Elisha took this picture.

More to come!

The Lake

Yohn and I honeymooned at Wallowa Lake years ago when we still lived in Oregon, but even though we visit Oregon each year, we had not taken the kids to see it. Since we just celebrated fifteen years we decided it was time to take a family trip to the lake.

A glimpse from the car as we drove to the south end.

The living room of the little condo we rented for a few days.

Kitchen

Kid's room 

Our room (I know almost the exact same as the kid's room)

Oh no! Someone shrank Elisha & Bethany!

We visited the park that evening before going out and getting groceries for our stay. The park wasn't flooded, but I think the river that empties into the lake has re-directed itself some.

He's in a phase where he loves to pose for me. There are times when I see him that I know he's expecting me to take pictures. He seeks me out often and if he catches the camera on him always gives me a smile.

They had so much fun just exploring the park on that first night.

I know it looks like they are right on the water's edge but in reality the water is about 4 feet below that rock wall. I have no idea why Elisha has one shoe on and one shoe off either.

Then they got a little silly.

This picture gives some perspective to the others as he is standing at the end of the lake with his arms on the wall they were sitting on.

On our way out we saw some bucks with the velvet still on their horns. It was fun to see them so close, but don't worry we did use caution as they are still wild animals.

We also saw a large teepee set up. We weren't sure if it was there for display or if someone was camping in it but since it was empty we decided to chance it. I have no idea why I did not take a picture of the outside.

To be continued...

Friends and Animals

And no, I am not implying that our friends are animals... just wanted to clarify :)

We visited some friends this year that we haven't seen in years! They had a lot of fun stuff for the kids to look at.

Sadly, I cannot remember the names of these swords. I'll bet you know though, huh Jackie? 

Yohn had fun playing with them too.

Old guns are also a great thing to pose with. No worries it's not loaded.

There was a fish rescue that took place in the backyard pond. Apparently this little fish had accidentally gotten caught in some fishing line used to tie down the plants. No telling how long he was there before Bethany spotted him. The kids were very interested in the whole rescuing process.

This little dog is an old fellow, and had a love/hate relationship with Bethany. He didn't really like her to touch him until he got scolded then suddenly she was his best friend, hopping right onto her lap to avoid further trouble. :)

This turtle's name is Tippy and she used to belong to me when I was a teen. I gave her to a young teen just before Yohn and I got married. That girl is now an adult and married herself and still has my turtle.

Friends. 

And didn't you know that squinty eyes and cheesy grins always make for the best pictures. ;0)

They always enjoyed getting a chance to feed the babies.

All of the babies.

And the big animals too.

No my camera lens was not dirty, the barn is that dusty. Although afterwards my camera lens was that dirty.

Armed and Ready

We like the Pop Its they sell around the 4th of July. This year the kids and I had a "war" with them.

See Elisha in the background "taking cover"?

The things you can come up with to pass the time. :)

And then finally the fireworks show started.

My one semi-decent picture of the fireworks this year. Sadly, my new camera does not have a fireworks setting so I didn't get the cool pics I got last year. :(

I know, I'm kinda late with my fireworks post, but yeesh, we had to prepare for kid's camp and then take all the kiddos from the church to it. I feel like I am kinda sorta getting back to routine, except school's starting soon and I gotta start a whole 'nuther one!