Hike from you know where

So, if you're looking for the perfect family hike, we definitely know one you SHOULDN'T do. BIG GREIDER LAKE.
Braydan let me pick this time and I think I must have read about a different one. Part of the problem was the trail only opened 4 days ago. Thus, our rewarding mountain lake views at the end of our torturous climb were buried in 4 feet of snow. When I say torturous, I'm not kidding. The book said (something I also missed), "a SHOCKING amount of switchbacks." Shocking is right. I lost count when I was concentrating on just getting air in my lungs. The only good thing about it was that no one else was on the trail. (I wonder why??) For those of you Washington hikers, you can testify this is a rare occurrence. Usually I compare hiking trails here to an amusement park.
We're just grateful friends weren't with us because they probably would've hated us after. If any of you have done this one in August, what does the lake really look like? And for those of you who are up to the challenge, just remember to bring crampons and no kids!!

Pictionary Anyone? The clue is "person"

Well, I guess I didn't draw this, but I did help make it :) Any guesses? I thought I better blog about baby DuRee before too many rumors spread. I'm due Jan.4th and I'm 3 months. Yesterday I finally got an ultrasound to confirm and I was shocked how far a long I am. We were thinking end of Feb. or something. Now Braydan is hoping I have it New Years Eve for the tax break. I told him if I do I get to spend it ALL on baby :) We're really excited (now that I'm past the shock) and am grateful that we'll have two so close (23 months). I might loose my mind in the process, but it will be fun. Alisha is gonna come live with us from Jan.-Apr. and that will be a HUGE blessing. I might not let her leave! jk. I'm due also right when my brother comes home from his mission. Bummer. But it's also my Mom's b-day the 6th. It will be crazy times. Well, sorry if I didn't tell some of you in person. I'm still working on calling my family! (Dad you need to answer the phone!!!)

Father/Son Campout

This last weekend was our ward father/son camp out at Lake Wenatchee. Braydan took Kaleb (even though some people thought he was crazy!) and they had lots of fun!
They kinda got off to a rough start cause Braydan had to work later than he planned, but it all worked out. Kaleb loved it all: throwing stuff in the campfire, throwing rocks in the lake, throwing sand in everyone's shoes, throwing in general. . . . .
They woke up at 5:30 Sat. morning after what sounds like an interesting night in the tent. (kaleb somehow ended up horizontal above Braydan's head). So by 11:00, when they started playing capture the flag, Braydan had Kaleb on his shoulders and felt him bobbing. He lifted him down and he was asleep! Worn out!
I'm glad they had some fun male bonding together and right in time for father's day. Braydan had to speak Sunday in church about fathers and he did a good job. I'm glad they didn't ask me :) The bishop stopped me afterwards and told me that Braydan was wonderful with Kaleb on the campout and was one of the best Dad's he's seen. I'm like, "really?" I shouldn't have sounded so surprised. I guess it was cool coming from someone else, and it made me feel better that my baby was taken care of on the campout. I love you honey and happy father's day.
(Right now the two of them are watching "Planet Earth" together - Braydan's fathers day present :)
((Thank you DAN for all the wonderful pictures!!!!!))

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

Braydan is an animal lover, so I finally agreed that Kaleb's old enough (sort of) to enjoy the zoo. I guess we waited until it couldn't get any colder in WA to go. (Notice the coats, especially Kaleb's super puff one.) Isn't it June? I love Kaleb's face in this picture. It explains why I mostly dragged around the stroller and Braydan carried him.
The Dyers took us on the adventure and it was fun watching Jacob and Hannah's enthusiasm for elephant poop, dangerous peacocks, and other funny animal oddities.
My favorite was this 3,000 lb. old walrus who, instead of swimming around like the others, seemed perfectly content sitting and enjoying fresh air. I think he was too big to do much else.

Kaleb's favorite was probably the sharks. He got his nose right up to the glass and loved watching the big ones swim by. He's never liked Finding Nemo really, so we're hoping this helped him see what fish are all about. Cause I want him to love TV? I don't know what I'm saying . . . .

Before we left, we checked out the cool kids area. It was fun until Kaleb fell off some rocks and Jacob fell off a spiny seat on his head. Boys will be boys right? It was a fun day.

Home sweet home

I've been slacking on my posts, but Kaleb and I've been pretty sick the last few days :( I think we got what my Dad had. Anyways, it was a good trip to Montana, but I'm glad to be back home with Braydan. Next time he better come with us :)
I just have to mention a few last highlights of my trip: #1. I got to see Alisha! She worked so hard to come for Memorial weekend and finally got a ride Sat. night! It worked out perfect cause she came when my mom flew to Denver, so I always had someone to entertain Kaleb :) Monday, she took me on a much needed shopping trip and it was so fun. That's always been our favorite thing to do together.

#2. Zach took me golfing one day and that was also a lot of fun. His golf team placed first at state, which was the first time any team ever placed at our high school in like 20 years!!!! So, Zach is pretty good and he gave me a private lesson. It's a lot harder than I thought! I'll have to work on my swing Zach. We got to go for free cause--go figure--he also works at a golf course.

3. And finally, the last night home I went to Zach's seminary graduation. The whole thing was neat cause my Mom taught all of us kids (7 years!! of teaching) and this was her last year. The best was that they asked Zach to speak and it was in front of two stakes! He was nervous, but it was so good! Mom and I were crying through the whole thing and I kept wondering how did Zach turn out so good? I felt the spirit so strong because he spoke from his heart, and for the first time, I heard his testimony. It was a very special and pefect ending to my trip. Thanks family for everything! We love you!!!

P.S. Kaleb found this old wig in my mom's stuff :)

Riding with Grandma and Grandpa

This is my grandma :)

Home on the range

A lot has happened since my last post, but the biggest news is that Kaleb and I flew to Billings on Saturday! Yeah!!!! It was sad to leave Braydan, but I'm gonna post these pictures for his benefit so he doesn't feel left out.
After a long plane ride (it wasn't long in hours, but just with a toddler on my lap . . . he figured out how to get the lap tray down, so he popped it up and down probably 100 times! and he didn't just push it back up nicely, but he would slam it back, probably giving the guy in front of us a head ache!) we made it safely and got immediately thrown into all the graduation festivities!
Saturday night, while my family went to a few grad. parties, I took Kaleb out to visit the cows. The big heifers kinda scared him, but he liked the calves. One in particular was really friendly and followed him around, even sniffing his behind! He still loves the dogs more, even though Sadie gave him a reason not to!!! Sadie is our sweetheart border collie, but for some reason, even with my mom holding her, she snapped at him and made him cry. I worried his dog loving days were over, but he forgot about it.
Sunday we woke up early to finish all our food preparations and then went to the graduation. Even though it was nice to be there (especially since I missed alisha's and josh's) it was at least 100 degrees in the gym and miserable. In the first 5 min., Kaleb threw his FULL water cup down the bleachers and it broke open, splashing people right and left. I had to wipe it all up in my nice white skirt. We all stayed busy keeping him happy for the two hours and I finally stripped his shirt off cause he was burning up. I was jealous I couldn't do it too!
At 4:00, the party started at our house. It was fun visiting with so many friends and old folks (my parents age : ).
Zach is such a cool kid. It was fun celebrating his special day. He loves doing wood work projects and this year for his shop class he surprised me and made a beautiful wooden wall coat rack. He still wants to put a mirror in it, but you can kind of see it in the background. Then he made my parents this big sign. If you can't read it, it says "12 mile farm." Now we look like an official ranch :)
We'll I'm tired out and this is too long already. I'm glad to be here and am excited for the next two weeks to spend with my fam. Just wish you were here Braydan!!! Love you!