The Great Outdoors

We had so much fun this past Friday and Saturday camping in Stanislaus National Forrest. The place we usually camp was full, so we drove further up the mountain and found another campground that we liked. It was right next to the river and it was beautiful! It is always so enjoyable to spend time in nature with the ones you love. Here are a few moments captured on camera:

Roasting marshmallows (You can tell that the girls were a bit nervous to get too close to the fire!)


Not the most flattering picture of me, but it gives you a sense of what our campsite was like.


Aaron and the girls by the river

One Small Leap for Sisterhood

Today at swimming lessons when Grace's class took turns jumping off the diving board, she decided to pass. In her words, "it was just too scary." I was proud of her for a different reason today...she showed what a loving, supportive sister she is.

After Grace's experience rejecting the diving board, Eve's class took turns jumping as well. Eve reacted just the opposite of her sister, and was more than willing to take the plunge (with the help of Mommy and her teacher.) Grace was watching her sister with great intent and cheering loudly for her as the feat was accomplished. I was a little nervous that Eve's accomplishment would upset Grace because it was something that she herself had been unable to do, but she couldn't have been happier for her little sister! As Eve and I walked over to Grace after class, Grace met her sister with a big hug and "Wow, Eve you are so brave!" On the way home and even once after returning home, Grace mentioned again how "big" Eve was because of jumping off the diving board. It was so much fun to see her feeling so proud of Eve...and Eve thought so too!

Fun on the Fourth

We had so much fun yesterday celebrating the Fourth of July! We started early with a flag ceremony and breakfast at our church. Grace has been very aware of our country's flag lately and was pleased to see it up close...she also learned why we put our right hands over our hearts when saying the pledge and during our national anthem. I love the learning moments everywhere!

Later that morning Grace, Eve, and I went to the movies while Aaron went golfing with his dad and uncle. We saw the new Pixar film, Wall E. It was really cute; better than I expected. The girls really enjoyed the excitement of the whole experience (we don't go see movies very often.) It was Eve's first experience at the movie theater (except for once or twice as a newborn) so she was a little on edge. She clung to me the whole time and jumped at every loud noise or startling moment, but she still seemed to enjoy it.

The best part came in the evening when Aaron and I rode our bikes (with the girls pulled behind in their chariot) to the university for a fireworks show and concert. We all oooed and awwwed over the beautiful explosions as the girls marched (and Grace shook her booty) to the patriotic music being played by the band. As we rode home in the dark after the show, the neighborhood streets were lined with families doing their own fireworks displays. Honestly, the entire ride home was like a light show...it was so awesome! I was enjoying it so much that when we arrived home, I told Aaron I wanted to keep riding (not realizing that it was already after ten!) So we rode around our neighborhood a little more and then headed home to put everyone to bed (including ourselves.)