Girls' Weekend with Heidi, Pam and Jessica - Beach, Wine, and Hiking = Perfect!

This past weekend was so much fun! What started as a day hike plan with Jessica turned into a girls weekend when Pam and Heidi were able to join us. Into our first day, we squeezed an afternoon at the lake, walking to the Hardware Store, sipping wine at Plain Cellars - and hearing the start of the night's live music - sharing a meal and a propane campfire, and finishing with stargazing on the bridge. 

Day two was a hike to Lake Minotaur. This alpine lake never disappoints and the fall color and sweet blueberries were the highlights in my book. It was breezy, cool, and misty at the top. I wish I had a few more things to put on so that I would have been able to stay and play up top. But we managed to enjoy the area for an hour before heading back down and driving home. So wonderful to share this beautiful place with women who totally appreciate everything about it and don't complain about the blown out trail and the drizzle! LOL!

 

Labor Day: Backpacking and Beach Time

The kids and I did a super short backpacking trip over Labor Day weekend. We went to Hidden Lake which is out near Lake Wenatchee. We mostly went just to remember how to do it and because we wanted to have fun camping outside. It was actually just the perfect trip for that. We had a blast playing games, cards, exploring, and making up things to do in the woods, like Rock Tag. The kids were awesome at helping carry things and our new backpacking chairs and table got a lot of use. Now we are hoping to squeeze in another backpack trip this year if we can!

On Sunday the kids picked a "lake day" and we went to Lake Wenatchee after finishing up our backpack trip. It was a little windy, but we made the best of it and the sunshine balanced everything out.

Then onto the swimming hole, because the end of summer deserves a good rock jump.

And we're excited about the new playground added at the swings across the bridge. Woo Hoo!

 

SEPTEMBER: Apple Picking, Reed's Birthday, First Day of School, Civic Club

There are some wonderful orchards near my mom's house and this time of year they are a real treat to visit. The kids and I stayed with Nana for almost two weeks while the floors at our house were re-done. It was actually really fun to share that time with together. We went apple picking together and picked three bags - plenty to make the apple cobbler and have left over apples to enjoy.

We got to celebrate Reed's birthday with Nana. Here he is holding his birthday announcement from eight years prior. He's grown so much and no one would ever believe he was a preemie. 

Happy Eighth Birthday, Reed!!!

Then we had the first day of "real" school in 19 months. Both Edison and Charlotte are now at Kellogg Middle School (grades 7 & 6) and Reed is at Brookside in grade 2.

After school we enjoyed time at the Civic Club with friends.