The Botting's Go Backpacking...sort of.

The Kyburz Fire is just up Hwy 50 from us. We had planned on backpacking this weekend out of Echo Lake to Tamarac but as of Friday morning when we departed, the freeway was closed. So instead we headed south to Hwy 88, our destination: Lake Margaret. The trailhead is just across the highway from Kirkwood Ski Area and just as we were driving down the ridge within eyesight of our turn off, traffic was dead stopped. And so there we sat, ready to hit the trail, for 2 hours. But seeing as we were so close, we waited with the promise of a beautiful ending and refreshing swim in the lake.

At the trailhead, full of excitement. The sign warns of an unreliable trail, easy to get off course. Watch for markers.

Littles with happy hearts and excited to be carrying their own packs.

The meadow early in the trail was gorgeous. Wildflowers like fireworks against the lush green landscape.

Just after this photo, we lost the trail. Tim pulled me aside and said, "This feels wrong, let's go back to the trailhead." We did continue on a little further, my stubbornness and map/trail navigation going into overdrive. When we crossed the river and Tim/Grady slipped and got their shoes soaked, I saw Tim break and be done. It took me a bit longer, about 100 yards further until a trail we were on dead ended at a fallen tree with no clear path on the other side. Despondent, we turned around. Chalked it up to a day hike.

The next day we thought we'd try again up 50 this time as the highway was opened, though only 1 lane. We sat in traffic for 5 minutes and turned around towards home.

A trip like this is hard and I don't mean the backpacking part because honestly The Littles never complained with the weight on their backs and were happy about the adventure ahead. The preparation, the potential obstacles, the mindset of taking Littles into the woods even on a well marked trail. The hardest part of our adventure was not earning the reward at the end of the trail. Something about making it all the way in and sitting by the lake, reveling in how far we've come and marveling at nature's splendor. I can't wait until we backpack successfully, hopefully soon.

4.

Grady Goo is 4. I cannot believe he is so big. Yesterday he invited the Grandparents and his few friends for a BBQ.

Grady wanted Chocolate Cake and Pavlova, and asked about his presents all day long. This was his first real birthday party with guests and he loved the attention.

Grady loves superheroes and trucks. And by the looks of his cousins Jack and Hank, they do too!

This one with Jack imagining how Grady feels in his new cozy blanket, so sweet.

Thank you Grandpa Dan, Grandma Sylvia, Grandpa Gordon, Grumby (Margaret), Jared and boys and Morris' for your friendship and celebrating with Grady.

And now a few Grady-isms:
 "Mommy, am I 3 or am I 5 now?"
"Mommy. I love you, I like you, and I like who you are."
"What we can do tomorrow for nother fun time?"
"Goules, It's family bounce night!"
"Mommy, you sniferdid?"
"I am 4? Today I am 4? So, now I am 4 can I say 'shit'?" (he has an obsession with foul language).
And yesterday before the BBQ, Savannah had put together a Lego surprise for Grady. I told him many times not to go in my room and peek, ruining his surprise. While I was preparing food, he was playing down the hallway. After a while, he came into the kitchen, swinging his arms saying, "yep." chin quivering "I just took a big nap. In my room. On my bed." eyes tearing "Big nap." I asked him, "Grady, did you go in my room and peek at your surprise?" He replied, "I was in my room." chin quaking at this point. "Grady, Are you lying to me?" He burst into tears, "I'm so sorry...I couldn't wait. I lost my temper."

Happy Birthday Little Buddy.

 

Independence Day.

Did you have a fun 4th? I hope so. We enjoyed the most relaxing weekend, sharing time with friends and indulging in quality family time. We gathered at The Potter's for an incredible BBQ feast, you would not have believed the selection of dishes at this potluck! All The Littles went wild when the dads turned the hoses on them, it was a riot. We have been so deprived of kid fun in sprinklers due to the drought, it was sweet to throw caution to the wind and let the water flow in order to encourage the happy squeals and laughter the quickly followed.

As the sun began to set, the crazy came out! This moment with Kevin was awesome.

Once dark, The Littles dressed up for some sparklers.

Such a fun night. Thanks Kevin and Krista.

Rockets, Rapids and Friendship.

Hi Hutters. I know this space is often ignored and I appreciate you checking in anyways...thank you. I feel like The Littles and I are on a summer bullet train, in the event of any little alone time I find myself craving quiet, creative solitude which excludes this blog. I post more frequently little happenings on Instagram, you can find me here.

Yesterday Krista and I got our Littles together for some rocket building and launching. This was Krista's brilliant idea, one she uses with her high school science students. The Littles decorated, named, cut out and adhered rockets from a pre-made pattern, then we ran outside to launch!

You can see video of My Littles rocket launches in my Instagram feed.

Today we went sought cooler temperatures with Tara and her family at a new-to-us swimming hole just up the highway about 20 minutes from The Hut. Alder Creek. It was lovely.

Gentle rapids and sandy swimming holes. Crawdads scampering under rocks. Splashing and reenergizing in the calm crisp waters.

Can't wait to do it again, next time with Tim too.

Easing Into Summer.

Last week I started a bit of canning.

Apricot/Pineapple Jam, Apricot Sauce and Marionberry Jam. I picked a few bags full of blueberries from Dad's ranch to put in the freezer also.

Half of the garlic I planted back in October/November was ready to be harvested. Sadly only this handful of the early variety survived. Gophers stole the majority. This is my first garlic harvest and though I planted 50 cloves, I feel lucky to have these few in my pantry.

Our biggest news out of last week is Charlie. He is a sweet little kitty and accepting his new life at The Hut well enough. I am sitting on the floor of the kitchen right now, listening to him cry in the laundry room. It's pathetic. He misses his sibling kitties.

But why should he? Charlie is barely on his own four paws what with all The Littles' snuggles and cuddles. He is well loved and this is the first time since we've become pet owners that I am shoving off a little and shirking the responsibility onto The Little Girls as they well know they have broke me and now I am the Mom who brings home animals at request. ugh. Kindly Savannah and Ivy do my bidding whenever I tell them what Charlie needs. Food? Check. Water? Check. Outside to potty? Check. Charlie needs some alone time? Check. Charlie is harassing the chickens in their coop? Check. He is keeping them very busy.

Baby Finley.

My sister Deanna, brother-in-law Brandon and Baby Finley were in town over the weekend. We were happy to finally meet her. She is precious, smells amazing and is very sweet. She is a content little girl, which of course makes her all the more endearing.

Savannah loved to hold Finley, especially while she slept but was a champ holding her while awake too. Ivy was cautious, watched Finley closely from afar but didn't want to hold her. She told me later she was afraid she might hurt Finley or do something wrong. She kept telling me what a cute baby Finley is.

Goo got a good snuggle in too. I kept asking him if he was done holding her and he said no while petting her soft skin. Their little moment together was sweet.

Having new life in the family is exciting and The Littles talk about Finley often. How she was made, how she was born, how she was made, how she lives far away and how they miss her, how she would love to wear this or that and how cute tennis shoes would look on her, how they want to teach her to hold chickens and ride a bicycle...it's so special to have a new baby girl cousin.

Bodega Bay.

School has been out for a full week now and we are settling into Summer. Weeks before the last day of classes, The Little Girls were at each other's throats with arguing and criticism. It was rough on all of us. Happily we are passed that terrible spell and slipping easily into hours of unlimited playing between siblings and friends.
We were invited by Potter's on their annual "School's Out, Let's Party Campout!" (they are both high school teachers) to Doran Beach in Bodega Bay. It was magic.

Chasing and being chased by waves, swimming, playing in giant hole, boat rides (here Littles watch The Dads do a drive-by), kite flying, rocket launching, tree climbing, sand in all body parts type playing, great campfires at night, checking crab pots in the morning & evenings (Food was unreal delicious!) and great conversation while sitting beachside watching Littles enjoy their childhood.