Burnt Lake Hike

Sherri and I bit the bullet and bought a National Parks Season Pass before hiking up to Burnt Lake near Mt. Hood. The pass basically gets you into any National Forest fee area as well. Mia loves hiking in the woods with her people. She also got her first swim lesson up there- needs a little more practice.

Honkin' dead tree- big enough to stand inside

Family photo time

Mia was quite brave climbing around the falls

"Please don't make me go swimming Dad."

Swimming lesson time

Mia biting at flies- I think she got this one

Wildflowers attracted swarms of bees

Sherri loves her new camera

Sherri's time-exposure masterpiece of the falls

Great Smokey Mountains National Park

Leaving MN, we continued driving east to Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Even though the scenery doesn’t compare to the western Rockies, it was fun taking Mia on a few hikes with us (most National Parks are super anti-dog). That afternoon, we drove straight to Fort Jackson, South Carolina to Visit Sherri’s brother and family. We spent a good couple of weeks there, taking advantage of all the fun things to do on base. Our twin nieces really had fun with Mia. Part of our daily routine was walking the dog together in the mornings (Mia walking them on leash) to a playground for some fun and exercise. They also drove us up to Carowinds theme park. Wow was that a blast- lots rollercoasters and a huge waterpark! It was tough saying goodbye as always, but home called us back again for a little time to ourselves before school starts again. Yes, school season is quickly approaching.

Our first National Park sign photo with Mia

Homesteaders lived in style

Traffic jam scenic drive

So much for sticking your nose out the window

We spotted a Heron from the riverbank

Yay for dog trails!

Classic Smokey Mountain Shot

They go on and on and on

Best cloud shot ever

Why don't you just make yourself at home there Mia

Trek Across America Summer Tour 2013

This year for Summer Break, Sherri, Mia (dog), and I packed into our new Toyota Prius on a trek across America to visit family. First stop, Camp Bighorn for a reunion party with some of Sherri’s old friends. We tried catching some shuteye camping under the stars, but proved to be a fitful night for Mia in her outside kennel. So we hit the road again before sun-up and drove straight to my parents’ new home in MN. After abandoning our Mapquest app around 3am, Dad finally guided us to their place with Morse code from a floodlight perched on the top of their garage. Mom and Dad sold the farm and moved onto a beautiful ranch to board their horses and watch sunsets over the rolling meadow in their backyard. That week we got to enjoy the company of my entire family (all 17 of us)- nieces, nephews, the works. We threw an epic baby shower for my brother, Joe, and his wife. We spent a whole day together scavenger hunting diapers in the woods, drawing autographed pictures for an alphabet book, and spoiling them with gifts (my favorite was a bottle of Jack Daniels). Of course the day wouldn’t have been complete without some Bocce Ball, Badmitton, Horseriding, 4-wheeling, lots of great tasting/fattening food, and a dooser campfire with plenty of burnt smores on the side. I love family.

Foggy meadow view from Ranch backyard

Jenna and Mia color coordinated

Mia always wins playing Chuckit

Sherri and girls debating on how to draw their letter picture

Boys dive in on drawing for the alphabet picture book

Walla- alphabet book finished product!

The cure for all ailments, including raising children

Mia getting a birdseye view from Sherri's lap

Good 'ol naptime with Grampa

Family Photo

The fearsome Outlaws- watch your back Billy the Kid

Never a dull moment around our family

All the Birthday Babies- Sherri included

Jake and Jenna scoping the fence line

Sara giving the rookie rider some pointers

Mom leading the way around the corral

I'm ready to race- Let's do this!

Living it up on the Ranch

Mom sure loves her horse

Kickin' it back around the campfire for some ukulele strumming

Cat Tree Finished

This is a little project I've been working on for the kittens. They love the hammock house best of all.

InstaYard

We finally have something to show for all the back-breaking labor on the yard. Our sod order showed up just in time before the rain. Sherri and I busted our butts installing the new grass over the weekend and Walla- InstaYard.

Brick work around the perimeter.

Front yard sectioned-off for Mia to terrorize.

A modest, little garden in the sunny corner.

Latest Pet Pics

Sherri has taken the role of Cuddle Queen with all of our pets.

Mia decided to take over the Kittens' playhouse one day- Nice Beard!

Stage 1 of the kitty play tower- now they can finally climb something.

Barely enough space for everyone- heat conservation.

Our niece, Savannah, and Bilbo having fun playing together.

Evidence that our Co-ed Softball team actually one a game!

Mia trying to squeeze in on all of the fun.

Our first Columbia Gorge hike. Mia loved sniffing in the forest air.

Latourell Falls- beautiful as ever.