Took out the Slip N Slide Walker got for his birthday yesterday... funny to watch the kids figure out how to run and slide in the same motion.

Walker tried it a couple times but once he got really wet with the cold water he'd had enough. He stood at the bottom of the slip N slide and proceeded to throw cold water at his sister...

Two seconds after this Ainsley screamed, "Mommy... Walker just got me soaked!"

Having enough of their fighting for the day I said, "Well get him back!"

Yesterday we were hanging outside... Ainsley had just gotten home from a Birthday party, which had a live band! ...Ainsley thinks she wants to do that for her next birthday... Ya Right! Stewart was cleaning out the garage... I was taking pictures of the roses that had just bloomed... and Walker was riding his old bike while pulling a "trailer" ..after some alterations by Daddy he was set for the open road (aka the driveway).

Look at the two smiles in these pictures... can you tell which one is he more excited about doing??

Really hoping this "Hill Billy Tooth" falls out soon... it's starting to turn gray... she's afraid she's going to swallow it... hopefully it will this week.

One last picture of my favorite yellow roses in the front yard...

Today at Ross' we were looking for a birthday present and ran into backpacks... already! Decided at that those prices we'd better take advantage of getting one.

Ainsley wanted a messenger bag this year... such a big girl bag... it's pink... glittery... so Ainsley. Walker decided on a Speed Racer backpack... it's just about as big as he is!

Home... Gone... Home... this seems to be our pattern over the last few weeks. We are home for 2 weekends in a row now before we head off again... which will be our Yellowstone trip.

I am actually looking forward to getting the outside projects done... now that it's stopped raining and summer has officially arrived the yard... garden... bushes... you name it is on over grow... not to mention the weeds!!

Other happenings... Ainsley's other front tooth is starting to get really wiggly. She's been doing really well on her 100 books of reading for the summer... she's finished all the Henry and Mudge books at the library... The series I think has 32 books and she's read 30.

Walker's been non stop playing with Legos if we could only agree on where to play them... at the table and not on the carpet... so that I don't have to dig them out of the vacuum cleaner container! All though summer has officially arrived and it's shorts and t shirts time... Walker does NOT want to give up his long sleeved shirts and pants... had to move the long sleeves to the back of the closet so they aren't in view first thing in the morning.

I love looking at pictures that were taken it the same place but have time in between. Took this picture of the kiddos the other day... to remember this summer and how we were always on the go... I was looking through pictures I had taken and found this one four years earlier.

Craters of the Moon is one of those "awe inspiring sights" something that is so different from anything we've ever seen before. My thoughts before we arrived were that it would be a vast... dark... bleak place. I had no idea just how beautiful in it's own way it would truly be.

We set up camp late afternoon... while we set up the kiddos were all too happy to find places to explore and climb in our campsite.

We decided to drive around the park... scope out the area and form a plan as to what trails we wanted to plan for Saturday. The stark contrast of the dark black lava rocks against the bright green vegetation is UNBELIEVABLE..

We came at just the right time of year... not only for the temperatures but for a couple weeks in June flowers bloom at the park... had no idea we'd see any other color than black. Here's a shot from the road...

Here's a closer look at those flowers that are blooming...

We braved the rain and headed out for a Ranger guided walk...

The bottom half of us was completely soaked... fun though.

We came back to the tent got on our warm jammies and loaded into the car with the heat on... snacking on rice krispie treats (no campfire at the park since wood is scarce.)

We got going early the next morning... and decided we would be able to squeeze in majority of the trails in the morning before heading off to another Ranger guided program.

Here's a variety of pictures from the park...

The rope like lava...

It's interesting underneath this blueish top coat it's red...

We hiked up a Cinder Cone... where we could see for miles..

We went up to the Spatter cones and looked inside... it was still filled with snow and ice!

We took the Broken Top Trail... a 1.8 mile hike that took us up... around and underneath a volcano.

One of the most exciting moments was when we hiked down into this cave... the kiddos were a bit freaked out about climbing down the rocks...

But we made it and the view looking out of the cave was amazing!

After this trail we stopped for lunch and then headed out with the Ranger to Indian Tunnel... kiddos loved this cave the best... they got to use their flashlights.

As we hike out we decided to go and explore some other caves... then the lightning started and since you are the highest point out their on the lava beds we decided it was best to call it a day. We went to the Visitor's Center and watched the movies they had there... love those things and the kids got to become Junior Rangers for completing the requirements... they were sworn it and got these cool badges.

One last picture... one of my favorite wildflowers... Indian Paint brushes..

It was a fun time... we all loved the hiking... exploring and left with more knowledge that we came with... which is always a good thing!

It's been 10 years since all of this...

Still hard to believe that 10 years has flown by so quickly! I remember this day as clear as if it was yesterday... every detail... every smell... all the craziness... all the wonderfulness.

Our life over the years has certainly been an adventure... we've moved here... and there.. and back here again! We've done some crazy things... had millions of laughs... and shed a few tears.  I love you Stewart just as much today as when we said, "I do" years ago... maybe a smidge more today ( for the handwritten letter!) Here's to a wonderful past... and an amazing future ahead... in our crazy life!

Mind boggling that something we saw in each other here... led us to where we are today... happy and oh so blessed. I love you and our life we share together. Happy 10th Anniversary to us!

So were heading out camping this weekend to Craters of the Moon or as Walker calls it... "Craters IN the moon" ..again another adventure... looks like it will be rainy most of the weekend... I sense a few tent naps... reading books and endless games of rummy will be played.

We have a steady supply of radishes coming out of the garden...

So I never thought I'd be into this...

But it's actually turned out kind of FUN! And since we all loved the first taste of Strawberry Rhubarb Jam... it's rewarding to make. Since Friday I've made 7 pints!

If only the garden grew as well as our Rhubarb patches... seriously thinking that next year I'll be buying from the Farmer's market for fresh produce.

The time I had to blog has been replaced with refereeing arguing kiddos. We are still trying to "find our groove" as to getting through the summer but I think a schedule is starting to emerge.

Got the kiddos signed up for the reading programs at the libraries and lately we've been heading to the park for lunch. I seem to do so much more driving around than when they were in school!!

Walker had a fun time with his 5th Birthday Party at Gramma Gigi's house. Here's a couple favorite pictures... hanging out with their cousins was what they loved the most!!

Loved the way his cake turned out this year... he wanted an Indiana Jones birthday...

We surprised little bug with a big 5 year old bike!!

Making rhubarb jam today... will let you know how it goes.