Camping, Flying, Swimming, Huckleberries, and Lemonade (all caught up :)

The day after we got home from our Oregon trip Kim packed up the van and we left to go camping at our friends' cabin (see our tent to the left)

There is a creek the runs through their property and it is a lot of fun for the kids

Something that was lots of fun for the kids (both young and old) was riding the 4 wheelers

We had A LOT of fun riding the 4 wheelers. I was also lots of fun making this video

We also enjoyed sitting around the fire and eating

Lyza loved exploring along the creek and in the forest

It was a COLD night

The next day there was more playing in the creek

Henry got right in

The kids loved throwing rocks in

They had lots of fun in the water

Mason helped the bigger kids make a bike jump

Just rockin' out on the porch

We drove a few minutes to the CDA river

When we got there Lyza saw kids jumping off a huge rock and wanted to join in (she didn't even need any encouragement)

After that we floated the river

Henry fell asleep

Here is a little video of the float

What a sight to see Nixon reading to Henry before church

Mason was busy making presents for Kim

Doesn't he look good in sun glasses?

Lyza found a praying mantis

Nixon at the beach with a friend

The kids have been enjoying free books this summer through the school's summer reading program.

Henry has discovered the joy of costumes

Kim went out paddle boarding one night with a friend

I took a quick trip to New Jersey last week to open up some attorney bank accounts. I got licensed right before the pandemic so this trip has been delayed.

I stayed in Newark and my hotel was a few blocks from City Hall

I wasn't there long and the only thing I found to do was walk around and look at buildings. Unfortunately they are still somewhat shut down because of COVID so it wasn't the most exciting trip

There were lots of sky scrapers

I enjoyed the Nike factory store

This bridge could turn to let ships through

There was a decent view of downtown from the Passaic River 

Too bad the river was dirty and lined with garbage

But the big buildings looked clean

While I was gone the kids made jam

And had delicious breakfasts

They also went blueberry picking

While they were there a train went by and Henry started running and yelling "TRAIN"

The picture Kim took was with a cell phone zoomed in so the quality was really bad. It almost looked like a painting. So I took it in to photoshop and made it look like an oil painting and I think it turned out nicely

The blueberries were/are delicious

Lyza made it look like she was worked to death (she wasn't)

That is some haul!

When I got back from New Jersey Kim and I went out to dinner and for a walk along the river

Nixon decided he wanted to sleep on the trampoline. He stayed out there all night.

We think it is so funny that he sleeps with this t-rex

It has been smoky here

Mason used some of his birthday money to buy everyone M&Ms

The three big kids started swimming lessons this week and had lots of fun

On Monday night we all went huckleberry picking and Lyza found this nest

Nixon was a champion picker

What a cute bunch

Look at those beautiful berries

With huckleberries it's all about quality not quantity

Here is Henry eating his lunch during swimming lessons

While the other kids are playing shark and minnows

They love playing on this thing for free time

Nixon and I went kayaking one night this week

It was a beautiful evening and the moon was out

Mason got up early this morning and got the cereal all ready for everyone

Henry is really happy about this rock he found

Kim and the kids did Silverwood this week

Nixon rescued this huge bee from our swimming pool

So I photographed some of the other bees on the same bush

Mason used the last of his birthday money from grandparents to buy lego

The kids have been having lots of fun with it

The dog at the house where they are doing swimming lessons is huge

We have been really happy with swimming lessons. They are taught by a priest in our ward and one of his friends from the swim team

They fed baby ducks

Henry wasn't having it this day

On the last day they set up a slide

Later that day at the beach they caught a snake

Nixon had so much fun throwing his friends off the dock and being thrown off the dock

Yesterday was our annual lemonade stand and the kids helped make cookies

And popcorn

We had a pretty good turnout

It was a really hot day but they did a good job

I am all caught up on the blog so I am feeling great!

Take care