Mt. Mansfield

On Labor day Caleb and I decided we wanted to go on an adventure. We decided to hike Mount Mansfield, the highest mountain in Vermont. The Park ranger told us that is was totally do-able with a baby and it was only a 2.7 mile hike to the top, so we figured that would be fun and easy. It was not nearly as easy as we thought. It was the steepest rockiest trail I have ever hiked. It was basically 2.7 miles of stairs made of huge boulders. The entire trail was like these huge rocks we had to crawl up. Some parts were actually spots were we had to look for hand and foot holds and climb up a face or a chute. Joshua was a good little trooper through it all.

I was getting really nervous and almost made Caleb turn around.



We stopped at Taft's lodge and had lunch before we climbed the last .6 miles to the summit. We really needed the break.



We finally made it to the top and were exhausted. Joshua didn't like the summit because it was really windy. I wasn't prepared for how cold that wind was, so had to put his shirt on him as pants. The view was spectacular and worth most (OK, all) of the effort.





We tried to take the easiest way down so hiked down to the Stowe Ski resort and went down along some of the runs. We are still pretty sore from the hike, but we have at least hiked to the top.

California

I am finally getting around to writing a post about the California part of our trip. Unfortunately I did not take too many pictures, I guess I was just too busy and kept forgetting. For a lot of the trip we helped my parents move. My brothers and nephews and nieces all came up and helped and we got it down really fast. Joshua and Ezra loved playing in the boxes and trying to "help" us put things away. My niece from Utah Ali was there the whole time we were, and it was so great to see her. She is at BYU Idaho now and we don't see her much so it was great to spend lots of time with her. Joshua loved her and she was a huge help playing with him and all the little ones.

We went to the beach and my Dad loves Boogie boarding and we grew up doing it. So my mom and Ali watched Joshua for me so I could spend some time out with my Dad and Sister. It was so much fun, I haven't gotten to go since before Joshua was born and it my favorite thing to do at the beach, especially with my dad.



I could not keep Joshua out of the waves. He would just walk right into them head on so I had to keep a hold of him the whole time. He would laugh and laugh when the waves would crash all around him. The water was really warm so he loved it.



We mainly spent lots of time hanging out together. It was a really fun relaxing trip, and Joshua really misses all the little cousins.

Curly or Straight?

Caleb loves my curly hair. When ever I ask him what attracted him to me first he always says my hair. So I never straighten it anymore. Since I was by myself, and had time, I thought I would strighten it for a change. Just for fun I wanted to see what people thought looked better. The sun is really in my face in all the pictures so they are not the best, oh well.

Washington Part 2

This post is really for Caleb. He wants to see some more pictures of what we are doing. We had a great time in Wahington. We went for some beautiful little hikes around the Island to different beaches. Joshua of course loved the water. We went on runs through the forest and along the sound everyday. Picked wild blackberries and made a pie. Spent a day in Seattle. Bainbridge is such a beautiful and relaxing place. We did lots of things and lucked out on great weather. We are in California now and have been helping Grandma and granpa move. Hopefully we will get some beach time in too! We really miss Caleb, and wish he were here with us. He is busy at home with his surgery rotation. He takes his final the day we get home, and he is really looking forward to it.

We hiked to this new beach on the Island. It is the only sandy beach there, and the boys loved it.

Walking along Eagle harbor and the Bainbidge ferries.

My dad keeping his bees.

This is the gorgeous view from my parents house and where we got to run every day. It was so clear and sunny that we could see Mount Rainier almost everyday. It is my favorite run, I actually try to picture it sometimes when I am running at home.

Part of the trail in the park behind my parents house were we run. The island is really thickly wooded.

Taking a bath in Grandma's sink while we made blackberry pies.

Some of the cousins. Joshua is so happy and excited playing with the boys. He really loves being with them. As soon as we get here he will go to them and play with them, but he is nervous with my parents and all the adults. He really loves kids.

The adventures of Joshua and I

Joshua and I have been at my parents house in Washington. We are here for ten days and then fly down to California for ten days. It has been so much fun. I spent my high school years and summers home from college in Washington. My parents have been trying to move back to California but still have their house on Bainbridge Island. I haven't been here in three years and it is so weird to walk back into the house. My bedroom is still the same. There is even all my stuff hanging on my cork board, and old clothes in the closet. It has been fun to kind of walk back in time.

Anyway my sister and her family are here too. We have been planning the trip for a long time, so that I would have something fun to do during Caleb's surgery rotation. We have done so much stuff. We have been running along the Puget Sound every morning, playing in the wonderful yard, playing with all my old toys from when I was little, going to the zoo, sailing, going out to lunch at all our favorite spots, swimming... we have been really busy. Mainly we have just loved being together and hanging out. Joshua loves his cousins and has so much fun playing with them. When we got here he will play with them right away but is a little nervous with everyone else.




You have to ride a ferry to grandma and grandpa's house. Joshua loved the water and boats.



We have been playing outside a ton. I love my moms beautiful fenced yard. Joshua loves the trike and being able to wonder free without worrying about cars.



All our old toys are up here and Joshua and the boys love playing with them. Joshua and Ezra have been sharing their food at our old tea party table.



We went to the Woodland Park zoo. It was really fun, but Joshua didn't nap all day. He was overtired and it was a pretty exhausting thing to do without Caleb.




One of our family friends took us sailing onthe Sound in his boat. It was soooo much fun. Joshua loved it but got mad at the life vest some times.



We all went swimming at the aquatic center. Of course I couldn't get Joshua out of the water.

I will do another post soon. Caleb is busy at home and wants to see pictures of our adventures. We really miss him and wish he were here. We love you sweetheart and miss you, it is never as much fun without you.

Playing with Water

We have had a couple nice days so we have been trying to do all the hot summer stuff. We went to the beach at lake Champlain and swam and played. Joshua loves the water and the sand.

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He loves to just sit in the sand and dig with his fingers.




We have also been using Joshua's little blow up pool. He likes it, but spends most of his time playing around the pool and throwing things into the pool.



He loves the steps and is working really hard to master them.



My cute little morsel.



He loves pushing and pulling things. He kept loading all his balls in this wagon and then pushing it around the yard.

The Turmoils of Figaro

I have this 12 year old cat named Figaro. She is a prissy little thing who has been very humbled this summer. First of all she got sprayed by a skunk and spent a lot of time outside. Her biggest problem though is that Joshua has started to walk.


Joshua loves Figaro. He will not leave her alone if she is around. He pets her and will lay on her and squeeze her.



All of which she will tolerate to a point...



So this is how they end up spending their time together. Figaro hiding while Joshua yells at her and throws balls at her. I think she wishes he couldn't move still, but even I miss those days sometimes :).