Ice Bucket Challenge

A friend nominated Momma for the ice bucket challenge.  Madness ensued.

Daddy and Maya prepare.

Post Momma, pre Maya.

Dexter's First Day Back

Dexter had a break from school when the summer program ended.  Now it's time to get back to school.  Someone wasn't thrilled...

The long walk to school.

That face!

Endless Summer

Summer just keeps on going even with school back in session.

Skinny dippers return from the backyard.

Potty master.

Hanging at the bus stop.

Maya goes to a cake decorating party followed by...

...another friend's sleep over.

The birthday girl in some fine makeup.

Maya friend, Naia, looking sassy.

Watching Giants with the Hare/Noll clan.

BBQ with the Allen fam.

Dance routines.

Unwelcome

We've discovered that we've been home to more than one Black Widow.  We discovered one in the evening a few days ago living right next to our back steps.  While these spiders are impressively large and beautiful in their own creepy way, we spent the next few nights trying to 'remove' it from our property.

 Here is a picture of the darling.  While there's not much to provide scale, it is a very large spider.

Three days later aided by spider killer, the black widow was no longer a problem.  The poor little spider at the bottom was collateral damage.  Sorry little guy.

The Pacifics

We decided to check out our local very minor league baseball team, the Pacifics!

Walking to the baseball field right in our neighborhood.

Tons of kids throwing out the first pitch.

The grandstands.

Watching the game.

Daddy and Dex.

Dexter's hitches a ride home.

First Day of 2nd Grade

Maya was pretty excited about starting 2nd grade...except when she had to get up in the morning.

 2nd Grader

Maya with her friend Katie who is starting 1st grade.

Mama with her rapidly growing children.

At school.

Her new classroom.

She was happy that her 'boyfriend,' Cameron was in the same class as her.

Adventures With Trains, Planes, and a Hand Glider

We took a trip up to Sonoma with the Allens.  Fun!

Maya and Riley on the train.

Laura and Owen.

Train excitement.

Maya and Dex enjoying a plane ride...

...and riding on the carousel.

Maya was then inspired to make a hand glider using tape, miniature fences, and a blanket.

Should work great!

Last Day

Our Colorado trip was almost over, but we managed to cram a lot of fun into the day of our flight back home.

Maya and Lulu hottubbing before breakfast.

 The a little swimming at the Hiwan baby pool...

...and big pool.

 Maya and Dex.

 With Lulu.

 And Pop.

 Nothing makes waiting at the airport more fun than ice cream.

 Yum.

Daddy waits for their plane to arrive.

Playing at the Pond

More fun down by the pond...

 Maya goes canoeing with Pop.

 Dexter with Lulu and her friend, Gail.

 Dex and Momma.

 Maya catches some fish with Pop.

 They aren't exactly huge.

Dexter is not so sure of the canoe without Momma.