Bug Walk @ the Grass Roots Nature Center

Schaeffer Jo, ready to catch some bugs in her special net

Dippin into the stream to see if she could catch a water bug

We saw a big brown trout--where is our fishing pole when we need it?

here buggy buggy bug!

we caught a black beetle

Good bye Shanty Creek!

Thanks for all the fun--see you soon!

Before heading back home, we made plans to do the 'Bug Walk' at the local nature center. Schaeffer had a great time learning about bugs, using her special net to scoop for them along the boardwalk, and listening to the different sounds that bugs make.

What a fun week we've had!

Super Schaeffer!

"to the rescue!"

Schaeffer Jo was waiting to head into her shared bedroom on Thursday night, and managed to scare up some fun with a beach towel. It doesn't take much for my girl to find something fun to do (especially when MeMa Laurie is around!).

We're going on a pine cone hunt!

Schaeffer Jo, MeMa Laurie, cousin Tobi & Papa Al

Tobi, the chief pine cone hunter

SJ being the big-cousin helper

working as a team

putting the cones in the bag to save for winter to turn into bird feeders

Schaeffer and her Papa

Each summer we try to gather up pine cones to save until just before Christmas. Then, we roll them in peanut butter and birdseed and hang them outside for the hungry birds and squirrels to munch on. It's a fun way to bring our summer memories into the coldest months of winter--looking out the window and remembering where you were when you gathered up the pine cones last.

Let's go fly a kite (+ smore's)!

Pro kite flyer, Papa Al

I still can't believe SJ would grab the kite tail in mid-flight

Come on baby!

giving it our best

watching out kite dance and soar

our reward? smore's!

yum.

the perfect finale'? a gorgeous sunset.

Shanty Creek: Day 2

Hazel-BoDazel all ready to hit the pool

Tobi-BaDobi too

MeMa Laurie on a butterfly walk with her kids

PaPa Al with his sweet kids

snuggles for Tobi

Hey, Aunt Kate!

So Big!

a kiss makes everything ok

Schaeffer in her tent-out at the pool

Shanty Creek: Day One

Hitting the links, with her own golf clubs!

will she be the next Anikka? She's ready with her sweet head(sweat)band.

Although I don't think many pros have their MeMa to

take naps on from 13-18?

Back at the condo, she was rarrin' to go!

My flying fish

Ker-plunk

Swimming with Papa Al

Life jackets not allowed

Swim, Schaeffer, Swim!

Every year in July, we spend an entire week at my parent's condo at Shanty Creek. As a family, with the entire family. It is a blessing to be together, to learn more about one another, make memories to treasure, and to look forward to the next July.

This year was no exception--with played hard, and ate well and laughed often. We learned to overcome temporary diffuculty and sought to find solutions that would be best for all involved.

Enjoy the first batch of pictures--there's many more to come, these are just from day one.