September 2016

My new hobby:  walking the dog

Sasha and Penny have become very fast friends

Though she looks harmless, she is a little shark right now with very sharp little teeth

Jack had a few friends over for a birthday meal for his 6th birthday:  pizza, veggies, and R2D2 cake decorated by Phil.  Sasha designed a treasure hunt for the wild, loud gang of boys.

As a 6-year-old some of Jack's favorite things are legos, drawing in his sketchpad, playing soccer, and he wants to be an engineer when he grows up.

Our friends Rachel and Richard hosted an apple harvest party complete with a cider press, caramel apples, and as many u-pick apples as you wanted. 

They also harvested some of Rachel's carrots which I hope was okay!

Day hike with Penny in the Jemez mountains

August 2016

Jack + boat =nap everytime

Sasha and T.J. like it as wild as possible.

First time up in skis for at least 5 years.  The dismount was not pretty and leads me to think it may have been my last!

Jack getting up on skis for the first time.  He immediately attempted to steer and turn back and forth.

Drinks out on the lawn before dinner out at Arcadia Bluffs

We found a new pastime in Michigan this year:  jumping off the pier.  So fun!

The boys and Sasha went on a charter fishing trip out on Lake Michigan one morning and caught some good sized lake trout and salmon.  It was delicious on the grill that night and for lunches the rest of the week.

Sasha reeling in a big one!

The two kids love each other so much

Boogie boarding was great a couple days when there were big waves

Designing drinks

Sasha's Book 2 Suzuki Recital at our house

Lovely plastic capes designed by S and J

First day of 3rd grade and Kindergarten

Welcome home Penelope Smucker (Penny)

July 2016

Camping at our favorite campsite at Ridgway State Park.  We had perfect weather for the long weekend.

Sunset photos overlooking the reservoir

We checked out Ouray Hot Springs one day. 

Sasha and Jack both loved the waterslide and Sasha wanted to take Phil and I on many tines on the obstacle course which she had to take a swimming test to qualify for. 

We checked out the Box Canyon in the town of Ouray

My Santa Fe hikers with lollipop in hand as per tradition

The coming of monsoon rains in July are always an excuse to get out the umbrellas and boots for once.

We arrived up in Michigan a few days before everyone else so got to spend some alone time with Grandma and Grandpa.  Sasha is always up for playing a game these days.

And Jack is always up for legos

Poor Barney

First time a large crayfish like this was ever found in Portage Lake

Chillin' in the sailboat with cousins.

Up on deck.

We had GORGEOUS weather the whole week and a half we were there.

Grandma prepping the kids for the annual treasure hunt

The teams were boys against girls this year, with the boys being the much more laid back crew.

Cute, confident Bean following the clues

The reward was Michigan shirts, lemonade, and starburst

Tubing was very popular again this year.

Both Sasha and Jack got up on waterskis (Jack for the first time)

Hot dog roast in the sand at the firepit by the house.