Priest Weekend

Last weekend we got to spend some time at David's childhood vacation arena and our favorite camping spot.  The area is rich with fabulous hikes, swimming, biking, waterfalls, and all sorts of exploration just waiting to be done!

It was also June's inaugural visit.  

She is always a good sport.

Ready to finally try out last Christmas' gift: 

Mia's very own sleeping bag (and sleep-saver for mom & dad).

 David's traditional head-dunking session at Paradise springs(water temp=32.5 degrees): 

 Happy Hikers! 

 June & Gma R wading in the bay:

Mia got her first taste of tubing with mom. I remember enjoying it MUCH more when I was younger...

Somehow, Mia managed to read a book to June during this bumpy bike ride while June looked worried the duration of the excursion.

Grandpa let Mia drive the boat (literally) for a full half-hour. Even his adult sons don't get that privilege.

 June loved the boat, but did not love the life jacket...especially because her cheeks wouldn't allow the top closure to function.

   

July the Fourth

Because of the holiday, we got to have Dad ALL to ourselves for the entire day (rare). 

We used up every minute of it! 

After a glorious morning hike with Mom R, we attended a ward breakfast, squoze in a big shopping trip for our upcoming camp out, and embarked on a journey to test Mia's new climbing harness.  Although he won't admit it, I think David now has nightmares about eternally hauling this caravan + equipment up the side of a mountain (which he did without complaint):

When we reached the sumit, Dad obliged to lead climb the rope to the top for the waiting ladies:

Object lesson:

harnessing = more freedom

We have observed that kids and extreme sports (i.e. down-hill skiing & climbing) mesh well because 1. ignorance of potential fatality removes inhibition and 2. body mass to muscle ratio is probably 1:1 

                             That afternoon, we had a 4th of July BBQ with our favorite neighbors 

(who had just slaughtered their pet pig, so our meal had some Easter-like faire).  

Our normally conspicuous white house doesn't look so obtrusive from their vista on the hill.    

Mia prefers the company of rowdy boys...especially when they are five years her senior.  We haven't decided how to feel about this as far as her future is concerned, but for the mean-time, it is highly entertaining  to watch her hold her ground against the opposite sex:

Following our BBQ, and equipped with headlamps and camping chairs, we hiked our families up to our usual look-out to get a triple source fire work show from neighboring towns. 

Jarom provided intermittent light shows, much to Mia's envy:

She's Three!

Mia had a FULL birthday. 

She woke up to a yummy breakfast and overly enthusiastic Mom.

Here she is making her birthday crown (after getting her birthday bath and hair-do):

Then we met Gma R & Aunt Mary at the mall for some long-awaited ear piercing.  Her cousin had hers done a few months ago and Mia has been fascinated by earrings and earring wearers ever since.  I figured that if she is that conscious of them, then I suppose we can go for it!  I had built it up so much, however, and asked her so frequently, "are you sure you want holes in your ears?  It is going to hurt!" that when it came down to piercing time, she was totally traumatized before they even made contact with her ears.

Here she is super wary during the before prep and still feeling a little concerned afterward.  

But then all was well again when Gma took her to the food court for some greasy "Pamba Bear Express."

  Reveling over her fun gifts from Gma R:

Then after a long trip to Toys-R-Us during Dad's work break, 

we met some more family at the park where Gma K arrived in pomp and grandeur with Mia's new wagon:

Mia's strawberry ladybugs on some tasty (and relatively healthy) Chocolate Cupcakes with Mint "leaves:"

 Whew!  We were both pooped by the end of of the day, so I suppose it was a success!

Here is pre-nighttime modeling of her new climbing harness while sitting amid the rest of the spoils (the indoor appropriate spoils, at least). 

June's Top 10

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Radiant at her post-sealing celebration:

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Snugging with G Gma Heinz & big sis:

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Trying out some rice cereal (while advertising for our insurance company):

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THIS is a rarity because dad's alarm goes off at 4:30am and the girls only make their way into bed with mom just after he takes off for his wicked long run (EVERY day of the week).  

Each morning, I lie hoping with all my might that his raucous isn't followed by the pitter-patter of Mia's feet, the slamming of her own door and reckless opening of mine, and then June's subsequent yell after such a rude awakening.  

I am hardly ever appeased.

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A few weeks ago, I set June down mid-feeding to do something urgent.  I left the bottle on her tummy and when I came back I found that she had helped herself.  It scared me.

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June's eyes are so dark, her pupils are camouflaged--  they look like big, juicy black olives!

  

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Mia's Top 10

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This photo epitomizes these girls' personalities

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When Mia dresses herself (which she does whenever we don't have anywhere to go),
 it tends to be some sort of contradiction, like Keens and a tutu:

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I wish someone would give me permission to do this all day:

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Mia is certain that dandelions are delicacies.

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Being submissive at the dentist-- 

She was accompanied by a pleased mom because of her fabulous clean teeth report

(although, Dad gets all the credit for his nightly brushing, flossing, and fluoride ritual).

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Sweet cousin interactions

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