Rose's Turn to Go Camping with Daddy

Last week, Rose finally got her chance to go camping alone with me like Auggie had done back in June. We headed down to Mt. Rainier late one evening and camped just outside the park. We spent the next day touring around the Paradise section of the park which was just finishing melting out from snow and the meadow flowers starting to bloom.

This is our lunch picnic spot in Paradise Valley. I failed to convince Rose to try out a little hike with me on one of the trails in the area, but we had a very nice time anyway.

Return of the Canoe

We recently decided the twins were finally old enough to try out our old inflatable canoe that we hadn't had out since well before they were born. But first we had to retrieve it from friends it had been on loan to for several years, and then to go out and buy a proper preschooler life jacket.

Rob took them out, one at a time, while Becky took pictures and entertained the non-boating kid.
Here's Rose ready to push off. (This isn't as dangerous as it may look since the boat is actually solidly grounded on the gravel bottom in the shallow water.)

Rose trying out the paddle.

August having a go. He's wearing Rose's pink hat here because we forgot his at home.

They both seemed to enjoy the ride, but Rose lost interest after only about 10 minutes, while Auggie was ready to stay in a while.

North Cascades Campout

For Fourth of July weekend we went on a campout to the same place we went last year: Klipchuck campground on the east side of the North Cascades. Our friends Pat and Eileen joined us again, but the other two couples who went with us last year weren't able to make it as they both welcomed new babies in the last two months.

The mountains were beautiful again as usual.

We stopped and climbed on an old locomotive at the Ross Dam power station. The kids loved ringing the bell.

On the fourth, we went on a little family hike along the Methow river, turning around at this impressive suspension bridge. The weather was sunny and quite hot! We wrapped up the day's outing with a trip into Winthrop for ice cream.

The dress code (and cleanliness) were often a bit lax as you can imagine with two three-year-olds.

The whole happy family.