Corn :: June 3, 2018

Jeralyn and Joel were helping shuck some corn.  They were so sweet working together.  And it looks like Jeralyn was listening to a story while doing so.  Ha!

Water Fun :: May 25, 2018

The kids were excited for one of our first warm days of Spring.

Summer (iPhone captures) :: 2018

I'm trying to get caught up with posting pictures.  Here are some photos I took from mid-May until July with my phone camera.

Jeralyn had a butterfly friend visit her outside one morning.  We thought it was quite brave to be fluttering so closely by us (especially with Joel around).  The butterfly was attracted to Jeralyn's flower dress and kept trying to drink from the flowers.  And then it hung out on her toes for a while too.

Jeralyn and Joshua went to Awana's for a few months and they had their last class and reward ceremony.  They were so proud!

I'm so proud of the progress Jeralyn has made with reading in such a short time.  And also with spelling.  She's a great student and I'm so proud of her!

Joel making a cute face while getting his hair cut.

This makes me laugh.  Jeralyn made a hummingbird beak for Joel to wear.  I thought it was creative and hilarious!  And he didn't mind wearing it.

Jeralyn holding our almost 16 year old Tigger.

Jeralyn and Joshua participated in VBS this summer.  They had a western theme.  We heard a lot of "yeehaws!" this week!

This picture was taken in Glacier National Park right after Joshua had a face plant into the ground on our hike.  Poor guy!

Sweet Joel sleeping in the camper during one of our camping trips.

Jeralyn ready for the 4th of July parade.

Taking advantage of the splash pad on a hot summer day.

Jeralyn and Joshua had swim lessons in Nez Perce for a couple of weeks this summer.  They did great!  So proud of them for being brave!

Jeralyn having a tea party with Shelly.

Hiawatha Trail Part I :: May 27, 2018

This was our first time biking the Hiawatha Trail.  It's a trail is a Rails to Trails that is only open from Memorial Day until mid-September.  It is located in Idaho and Montana, near the border of the states.  There are several tunnels, the first tunnel being about a mile long.  We camped and then started out on the trail in the morning.  The trail is 16 miles long and we chose to go down the trail on it's very gradual decline.  It took us a while to ride the trail due to Jeralyn's bike without gears and Joshua (at the time) riding with training wheels.  It is a beautiful trail and I've decided it will be our yearly destination as long as we are in the area.

Jeralyn and Joel taking a walk together at the campground in St. Regis, Montana.

Yes, there was still snow on the ground.  This was the start of the trail, right before the mile-long tunnel.  The tunnel was COLD.  Brrr!  I was wishing I had gloves on because my fingers were so cold.  We all had headlamps or bike lights so we could see in the tunnel because it's very dark.  Super fun experience!

Joel riding in the bike trailer.  Joshua joined him at times when he needed a break and then Quent would bungee Josh's bike to the trailer.

One of the trestles.

Jeralyn wasn't so sure about the trestles.

Beautiful Montana.  When I think of Montana, I think of these beautiful forested mountains.

Hiking :: May 19, 2018

I'm not sure where these pictures were taken, but I do know that Quent took the older kids camping and hiking.  It looks like a beautiful place!  I like all of the wildflowers.  The bird is a mountain bluebird.

Mother's Day Hike :: May 13, 2018

For Mother's Day we drove up the ridge and to National Forest land to go on a hike.

This is the beginning of the trail.

I was with Jeralyn and Joshua on the trail and we spooked a grouse laying on her nest next to the trail. We didn't know that there was a nest there until Quent came with Joel and suspected there was probably a nest nearby.  Sure enough, there was one.

We walked for a while until we decided it was time for a snack/lunch.

On the way home, we spotted some morel mushrooms. And then we were hunting for them.  We picked maybe a dozen of them and enjoyed them for dinner the next day.  So delicious!

When we reached the car the kids were looking for frogs in the water.  They found one and Jeralyn held one.  Quent told her to give it a kiss.  Ha!

This was her "kiss" she gave to the frog.