Bowling

The kids won a free bowling pass and shoe rental from school this year, and we finally got around to taking them this Saturday.  We hadn't gone bowling since Kenzie was pretty little, so Parker and Cameron were both excited for their first time!

Everyone waiting eagerly for the ball to magically appear. 

 Cameron used the ramp, and said, "Yes!" and made fists of excitement when he knocked over pins.  He hung his head in disappointment if he missed all the pins.   

 Parker really paid attention to how the ball was rolling and lined up each shot (he used the ramp half the time and bowled it himself the other half).

Daddy and Parker both helping Cameron.  I guess we should bowl more often, because they all wondered when we would go again!

First Cub Country

Parker was so happy to get to go to Cub Country this year.  Admittedly, I was not excited to be asked to chaperone the second day, but it was cute to see how much fun Parker was having.  All those dumb jokes and skits are well tailored to their target audience of 8 year old boys - Parker thought they were funny!

The theme of the second day was Space.  Parker recently read a book on the Solar System and had his hand up to answer any and every question.

He was proud of himself for making it all the way across the monkey bars during the obstacle course.  This really wore the boys out and got them dirty right off the bat.

Resting for a moment at the halfway point of the "hike" (which was short but very steep and slippery).  Parker is in the very middle in the back.

Breaking for lunch.  Of course, the most exciting thing was to go spend money in the Trading Post.  I gave Parker a few dollars, and he bought candy both days.  At least he did share a peanut butter cup with me!

After lunch they got to try archery, which was the big draw.  Parker was so pleased. 

Here they are carving some soap.  Then they did some simple electronics and we called it a day.  We were both so filthy!  Parker was exhausted, but said he had a great time.  He told me several times he was happy I could come with him, which was sweet.  He's a fun kid, so I'm glad I got to spend the day with him!

Iron Mine

 For the long 4th of July weekend, we went camping for a few days in the Uintas.  Cameron loves camping.  He loudly talked to the other campers while waiting to go potty ("What your name?") and when one lady asked him how long he was camping for, he answered, "Until night night!"  He was excited to get to sleep in the tent!

It was a pretty little spot with lots of aspens.  We didn't get up there until evening the first night, so we hurried to set up camp. 

The kids all tried to help Dad set up the tent.  Kenzie was probably just fetching something else in this picture, but they all were very good helpers. 

They did a pretty good job of getting along while camping, too.  Kenzie has her own little bedroom in our tent, but she only hid away in there in the mornings when her brothers were up "too early" (they didn't wake up until 8:00 both mornings!).

Eating some lunch.  It got a little toasty in the sun, but the shade was pleasant, and when the sun went behind the clouds it was the perfect temperature. 

Cute kids.  Chris bought them all little emergency whistles.  The kids were really proud of them and wore them the entire time without any coaxing on our part.  Cameron kept wanting to blow his and saying, "I just lost.  I blow the whistle?"  He didn't really get it.  He's louder than any whistle anyways!

To entertain the kiddos, Chris made up a little "treasure hunt" with clues and using their compasses.  Turns out our kids cannot walk in a straight line!  They eventually got to the end and although they were a little off, they still spotted their Hostess cupcakes "treasure" and were quite pleased!

We went for a little walk around the campground.  I liked this abandoned picnic table way behind our camp site.

Parker and Kenzie both helped start a fire at different points.  Here's Kenzie's celebration as her fire started.  (I wasted 6 matches but never got anything to start, so I was impressed.  Chris definitely has to be the one to teach the kids anything useful like this!)

Hanging out in the tent during the {thankfully short} rainstorm.  Cameron loved the compass at the top of his whistle and it entertained him for the longest time!

I thought this was cute.  Parker and Daddy hanging out by the fire.  

Here's another little boy who wants to be just like Daddy.  He was thrilled to swipe Chris's hat.

Here they were the last morning, hanging out while Daddy got a fire going for breakfast.  (Well, the boys didn't want hash browns and bacon so they had Pop-Tarts!  Goofballs.)

 They all told me what fun they had, and Kenzie and Parker both asked when we could go camping again (Cameron doesn't think that far ahead or I'm sure he would have asked, too).  It makes it worth all the work and laundry that camping involves for us parents!