City of Rocks

This weekend we went on a camping trip with a bunch of our neighbors to City of Rocks (in Idaho). There was 8 families that went and we had a great time. The area was beautiful and full of rocks and cliffs and things for the kids to climb on. The girls had a blast with their friends. We didn't sleep well, but that is to be expected while camping I guess. I couldn't sleep because of all the animals I kept hearing--there were tons of racoons and I could hear around our tent and one actually hit the tent (or tripped on the pole or something) and I just about jumped out of my sleeping bag when it happened. In the middle of the night I had to go to the bathroom (the only disadvantage of the place we were at was that the bathrooms were really far away), so I was going to go visit the bushes, but I was scared to leave the tent. lol I know it sounds funny but there were so many little critters and I didn't want a racoon attacking me! I also could hear a deer munching on some plants right outside our tent too-such a disturbing noise to hear its teeth chomping away. Less than a minute after I turned off my flashlight and got back in the tent the raccoons were back! I am silly I know but sounds are amplified while camping and I felt surrounded! :)

There were fun holes to climb in on the rocks too-we saw this one on our hike today.

If you look closely you'll see Erin and Bailey on the top of this huge rock. I am taking this picture from our campsite, they had so much fun exploring.

The girls love making their smores too. And for those of you who like peanut butter, try adding it to your smores--DELICIOUS! Peanut Butter is now going to be a staple when we go camping.

Poor Bailey!! About an hour after we got there she fell into a cactus-there were lots around. She came back to camp screaming and she easily had a hundred or so little teeny cactus spines in her hand/wrist. They kept breaking off at the skin so some were really tricky to get out. We managed to get most out and put some gel on it to stop the pain. I also found some in her pants too. Then while we were hiking around today she fell backwards into another cactus. Luckily there were only a couple in her side, and they were bigger spines so easy to pull out. She seemed to attract those plants, poor girl! But she perked up a little later and didn't let it spoil her good time.

First Day of School and a Funny...

Well, it is here--the start of the school year. It was a quick summer but the girls were very excited to start back to school. It was a rough year for me though because Bailey started 1st grade!! I'm okay with her being gone all day but not having her home for lunch is what made me sad, they are both growing up too fast and I'm not ready! :) Bailey started yesterday and Erin's first day was today, and both did really well. A new year of homework, schedules, and school activities.

For those of you who read my previous post about Erin catching grasshoppers and putting them in jars, this is kind of the next edition to that. Erin has been catching grasshoppers and just holding them in her hands for 10-15 minutes or so. Well, yesterday she had one in her hand and it bit her! I didn't know they could bite but apparently they can. So today after school she decided it was time for some revenge on all the grasshoppers in our yard (since we have TONS). She armed herself with the fly swatter and the plastic baseball bat and out she went hunting grasshoppers! She actually managed to kill 4 or 5 of them, which surprised me. It was hilarious to watch her go on her little rampage.

My kind of pet...

We have some new 'pets' at our house this week. Erin caught a grasshopper with a lot of rolly-pollys (potato bugs) in a jar and the grasshopper is now her pet. She named it Lily and that last few days it has come with us as we run errands and when she is playing outside she is carrying it around with her. Then yesterday Bailey went out and caught one in a jar-well she isn't as daring as Erin with bugs so I actually caught it for her, where as Erin just picked it up and put it in her jar. :) Yesterday we lost Lily for a little bit and we were searching everywhere in and out for the jar, luckily she was found in Bailey's dollhouse. I don't mind this kind of pet, the only rule: Do NOT open the jar in the house. Lol Wouldn't that be great, grasshoppers jumping in the house. Very low maintenance kind of pet, and easy to replace when it dies!

Erin's family birthday party!

Erin, enjoying some of her presents.

Erin helping me decorate the cupcakes....I almost ran out of sprinkles! lol

We did Erin's family birthday party on Saturday when my sister came to get her kids and my mom came up too. She had a week of birthdays it seemed. :) Her cake at her party with the friends was a Bolt Cake and for the family party I made cupcakes. I can't believe she is getting so big! She is such a joy to have in our family.

Cache County Rodeo!

Yeehaw!! Last week we took my sister's 3 youngest kids and the girls to the Cache County Rodeo. We all had a blast-especially Bailey I think. We did have a bit of a scare though...as the last bull rider was bucked off the bull came charging for the fence where we were sitting and Erin was standing by the fence! She jumped back so fast into my niece's lap! It was a bit freaky but also so funny at the same time. Luckily the cowboys got to the bull before it hit the fence.

Erin is 4!!

Happy Birthday to Erin last week! I can't believe that she is 4 already! How time flies. She was so excited for her birthday, she has been talking about it since about March, and now she is onto next year's already! :)

Washington

We went to Seattle, Washington for almost 2 weeks. It was a nice break from Logan and the girls had so much fun with their cousins! We spent a few days with my brother, Dave and his family and then we met up with Josh's family for a week for wedding activities, etc. I was looking forward to cool weather, but of course the heat followed us and there was record setting temperatures and no one has AC! It was hot but it did cool off as we were there, and the house we were staying at with Josh's family had a pool so that was nice to cool off in. Below are a bunch of pictures showing what we did on our trip. :)


Since it was going to be Erin's b'day soon the last night with the family we did a cake for her. She was so excited to have some birthday time with Josh's family.

Gary and Nancy (Josh's parents) at their 40th anniversary party that we put together for them.

Snoqualmie Falls--a beautiful waterfall and a nice hike to the bottom of them.

One really tired girl...

My mom came into town after we met up with Josh's family so we went back to Dave's house for Sunday dinner so we could have a little time all together.

Erin was a crazy dancer all night long! This was her about 10:30 pm--she was practically break dancing on the floor! She had the attention of everyone! About 10 minutes after this picture was taken she completely shut down in Josh's arms. lol Erin called it a 'dancing party'.

Nancy and Erin dancing after the wedding...

Gary and Bailey-Bailey wanted to dance the night away with pretty much every man in the room. Although her Papa (Gary) got the most dances. She had a lot of fun.

Dan (Josh's brother) and Kim (the newest addition to the family). Such a nice wedding and a wonderful time. Welcome Kim!

Before the wedding....

Bailey and Erin were super excited to be flower girls! :) They did a good job!

Josh, Pete, Gary, Chris, and Dan--the male Runhaar's! :)

Bailey "relaxing"

Erin...that girl can be crazy at times! No fear is her motto!

We went to a fun splash park near Dave's house. Nice way to cool off during the day.

And of course Dave got roped into a game of Go Fish with Bailey. Notice the dart stuck to his head? The girls loved all the dart guns that Braeden had to play with.

The girls first carousel ride....

Bailey, Erin, and I on the waterfront in Seattle.

These were the best peaches I have ever had...They melted in my mouth! I had to take a picture of them and the sign because when I tasted them I said: "Oh My Gosh!" Which is pretty much what they are called. lol

We went to a Children's Museum and Erin, of course, found the dress-ups!

When we were with Dave and his family, the girls quickly learned that Braeden's favorite thing to play is "army". It was funny to listen to them put together 'army men' and 'house'. It was a great combination!

Slacker, I know...

I Know, I know...I've been a slacker with my blog-but for good reason! My computer broke over 2 weeks ago so I couldn't load my pictures from my camera and I can only use a computer at nights on Josh's work computer. It has been SOOO frustrating not having my computer, I feel so out of touch with the world. Soon though I should have a new one. So, I'll do a bunch of postings to catch you all up on our busy times here. :)

The girls were in the neighborhood parade for the 24th of July. They do it every year. All the kids decorate their bikes/scooters, etc. and go around the block and throw candy at the parents. It is great fun to watch and the girls just love doing it! Then afterwards there are treats for all at a neighbor's house. A good 24th of July tradition.