End of Summer Fun

We always anticipate the end of summer as it seems to fill up with what seems like a lot going on. It also means a ton of pictures stacked up on the camera to go through and get posted which usually leads to one giant post to get them all in. I suppose I could break them all out but for the sake of saving busy time — here they are, all in one.

A Weekend At The Lake

A whole tube full of fun.
A whole tube full of fun.
Jackson found Jody's wheels.
Jackson found Jody’s wheels.
A selfie of Beth & I as she cruses us up and down the street on a 4-wheeler.
A selfie of Beth & I as she cruses us up and down the street on a 4-wheeler.
Ellie and Megan in the kayaks
Ellie and Megan in the kayaks

One of the important things that needed to be squeezed in this summer was Brian & Mary’s motorcycle trip to the Grand Canyon. Since they were headed south, Ellie, Jackson and I headed East to go play on Aunt Jody’s lake. Ellie was a quite a bit timid about getting back on the tube since she remembered breaking her collar bone last year, but once they got going the screams turned to laughs pretty quickly. Jackson was sure to find some wheels and Beth was kind enough to take me for a spin as well. We always have so much fun enjoying our time at Darby and Jody’s and can’t thank them enough for letting us come to visit.

A FAIR-ly Good Time

One of my favorite sites every year - these two just connect and go.
One of my favorite sites every year – these two just connect and go.
Stuck on the outside and still not quite big enough to ride.
Stuck on the outside and still not quite big enough to ride.
Ellie having fun on the rides.
Ellie on the other hand takes full advantage of having fun on the rides.
Found a ride that Jackson could go on with Mom.
Found a ride that Jackson could go on with Mom.
And another he could go on with Dad.
And another he could go on with Dad.
You can always find a bag of happy at the Fair!
You can always find a bag full of happy at the Fair!
Jackson wasn't so sure about being up so high.
Jackson wasn’t so sure about being up so high.

Brian was able to come home from his motorcycle trip a day early which meant he could still make our Fair Night with the Baker’s tradition. Now that our numbers have multiplied we kinda end up scattering in a few different directions with the same end goal in mind — ride a few rides and eat fair food. Jackson was able to ride a few rides with us this year but I am sure we will need to buy more tickets next year. Since we make it to the fair once a year, we stayed a bit later and stood in line for a family ride on the big ferris wheel. As you will see, Ellie just loved seeing everything from the top. Jackson wasn’t quite sure about it. We didn’t even make it home before the cotton candy started wearing off.

Rental Ride

Our ride for one more day.
Our ride for one more day.
The bridge at the Keystone Y.
The bridge at the Keystone Y.
One of the pig-tails on Iron Mountain Road
One of the pig-tails on Iron Mountain Road
One of the tunnels.
One of the tunnels.
Needles Highway
Needles Highway
Cruising down the road.
Cruising down the road.

Another perk of Brian coming home a day early was that we got to go for a ride on the HD Street Glide that he rented for a cushier trip to the Canyon and back. It has been a long time since we both have been for a ride in the hills, so when a good friend offered to watch the kids for the afternoon, we bolted and hit all of our favorite roads. We always enjoy returning to our old life every once and a while, even if it is just for the day.

Last Camp 2016

Jackson's first fish.
Jackson’s first fish.
Fish kisses!
Fish kisses!
Ellie paddling Mom around the lake.
Ellie paddling Mom around the lake.
Kate and Jackson out on the kayak.
Kate and Jackson out on the kayak.
Enjoying the s'more cones.
Enjoying the s’more cones.
Making sure to get all of it in.
Making sure to get all of it in.
Ellie trying to stand up in her top bunk.
Ellie trying to stand up in her top bunk.
Two cheesy peas in a bunk.
Two cheesy peas in a bunk.

We had a fun time for our last camp of the summer with Dusty, Kate, Bevan and Reese. We all met up for the long Labor Day Weekend just northwest of Hill City by Deerfield Lake. It was a good spot that had lots of space to run about, toss a foot ball and included a short hike down to the lake for some fishing and kayaking. Jackson was even able to catch his first fish which he then insisted on kissing. One of the tastiest bits from the last camp was s’more cones cooked over the campfire and we were even able to sneak in a friendly game of kickball before we left. It was a fun and relaxing way to end the camping season.

Reptiles, Amphibians, and Birds – Oh My!

What is that thing in there?
Hello there?
Petting the large tortoise.
Petting the large tortoise.
A closer look at the ground hogs.
A closer look at the ground hogs.
These mirrors were hilarious.
These mirrors were hilarious.
Jackson found a tunnel to go through.
Jackson found a tunnel to go through.
Ellie in a croc.
Ellie swallowed by a croc.
A wild bunch.
A wild west bunch.

Every once in a while we decide to hit the local attractions. This time we decided to visit Reptile Gardens. Unfortunately since it was post season, there were no alligator wrestling shows. We were however, able to see a few crocs and gators behind glass as well as the giant tortoises, a few birds and some creepy snakes. The gardens were still in bloom which made for a beautiful family afternoon and the new playground was fun for all of us to goof around on.

More pics from ALL of our End of Summer FUN

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