Doing What You Do in Summer!!! June and July

Fourth of July!!

Unfortunately I didn't get that many pictures of what we did on the fourth of July!! Ben was home and we enjoyed a hot day in a little lake called The Edness Kimball Wilkins Stae Park.  It is more like a pond.  Anna had been teething the night before and she didn't feel well so we kind of took it slow.

Eli and Dad sword fighting

Lydia gathering starts of a Russian olive tree into a bouquet.

After the Fire works!! We went to an amazing show up by the Casper events center. There were huge fireworks and lots of noise.  The show lasted for a whole half an hour.  The kids, needless to say, stayed up way past their bed time.

Face Painting!!
 We went to a festival and Lydia wanted her faced painted so badly. I decided that we would try it at home instead of wait in line.  My sister was also an inspiration in this project.  She paints her kids face frequently as a fun activity.

 A dragon if you can't tell.

Spiderman

Ward Campout at Ayras Natural Bridge.

     Lately we have discovered that there is some beauttiful places to visit around Casper.  This is an amazing natural bridge that is surround by camping sites and a really cool park.(that of course I didn't get pictures of) Ben got of late from work and it is about 45 minutes from Casper. We ended up getting there about seven.  The ward provided a great dinner and some fun desserts and then we walked around.   You can walk on top of the natural bridge and  under it.

 On your way to the top!! 

 A great picture of the kids and dad and the Bottom.

 Anna loved it  all!! She loves that out doors and will sit  and look and rock back and forth.  She just bubbles over with excitement

Swim Lessons

 Eli and Lydia both went four days a week for two weeks.  It was  great for them to get into the water ever day.  It boosted their confidence. Now when we go swimming Lydia will practice arm circles and monster kicks. Eli tries to swim under the water.  Eli's instructor was super patient and caring with the preschoool aged kids. The last day of swim they all go to go down the slides with thier instructor.  The also gave them a free swim pass so we went back as family and played on the slides so more.

Waterfall

The hike to the waterfall, or Roatary Park, is really just a walk up a path. It is a beautiful way to escape the city and to enjoy the outdoors without a long trek in the car.

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So for a little explanation on Eli's face... He was playing in the yard and there was a hang plant hook on the fence that he tried to swing from.  He fell flat on his face.  His nose bled like a waterfall.mmm No it really wasn't funny and I am glad that it wasn't worse that just some scratches and a bid goose egg bump.

There are paths all around the waterfall that you can hike on. 

Lots of hikers, at this point, proceed to take off their shoes and play in the water fall.

Martin's cove- June 6th

We drove two hours to Rawlins to go the dentist.  That is the closest provider in our area. So on the way back we stopped at Martin's Cove.  We were able to get a great tour and understand more of what the pioneers did for us.  Someday soon we will do the five mile round trip hike into the cove.  As a youth I remember coming to the cove and hiking and trekking. The cove was the most spiritual part in my memory.

Switched to one hand cart. There was a little gravel trail that you can pull carts around and there even is little handcarts that the kids can pull.

The Covered hand cart.  Never had a chance to ask if the pioneers actually had covered hand carts.

Alcova- June 6th
Alcova is a lake 30 miles southwest of Casper.  It has great sandy beaches.  This day the water was a little cold. Well actually a lot cold.  The wind which almost blows constantly in Casper, and makes it more chilly than it looks.

The kids working to bury their legs.  They wanted to have mermaid tails.

Anna wanted to eat the sand.  She kept eating it no matter how many handfuls she tried.

A scenic view of the lake

Muscle flex

Warm sand feels good after a cool dip in the water.

Free Fishing Day- June7

The duck pond was exclusively stocked full of fish so that everyone could fish it that day.  Ben went in the morning and scoped it out, and caught several fish.  When we later that day, I am sure the fish were full. They weren't biting, and of course we experienced more cool wind.

Birthday Pie 
I had a great birthday! We had stake conference that day and it was raining. We took and nap and then had a wonderful coconut cream pie.
Ben wanted to catch goofy pictures of me blowing out the candles.