Camping??

Yep, camping and yes in a tent.  A rather large tent that proved to be a great investment...even Chad admitted it "worked out well" and complete with an air mattress for us it sure did! We had a a great time on 2 different adventures, granted a ridiculous amount of gear, but a great time.  The first was an hour and half up the road towards Mount Baker, a trial run that if things weren't going well we could easily get back home.  But things worked out well in a great camp right on the lake, Cassidy's first camping s'mores, some successful Sockeye fishing that Sam and MacKenzie came up to join in on, a good swimming area and a beautiful view.  Even though we fought off a little rain the first night the rest of the 3 days were very nice, the bugs were minimal, the twins did great, Cassidy had a blast and we couldn't wait to do it again.

Yes, that's a trout in MacKenzie's hand, but the next day she caught a real one!

Rylee's first beer...

Home for 2 days and then off to Eastern Washington and 5 days at Alta Lake with Matt, Lori, Lindsey and Brady.  We left home in thunder and lightening storms.  All the way over we kept saying "oh, this will break on the east side of the pass" but it didn't.  We pulled into the campsite with a forecast of damaging hail and strong wind gusts through 11pm....YAY!  We decided to brave it, with Bryce's offer of a nice dry house 45 min away tucked into our heads, and scrambled to get our tent up.  By the time we were done (a new record by the way) it had stopped raining and there wasn't another drop.  Woo hoo!  Every morning we spent time exploring the camp ground and thankfully Lori was always game to take a baby, in this case Rylee, swimming and having fun together, while the guys searched for Sockeye. 

After fishing in the morning, the guys came back and we all hit the beach for some swim time



Sawyer loved being in the water

Rylee loved playing in the sand

I don't know for sure, but I think Sawyer  Rylee

Camp life was tough...but we made do.  Brady and Sawyer seemed to have a special bond and he was always happy to help with bottles, mostly because Sawyer always finished first!  Linds and Cass were never far from eachother, either reading stories/playing in the tent, coloring or exploring. 

Best friends

 Fishing success....Brady caught his first salmon and as a right of passage of course had to clean it himself, with a rapt audience.  Chad and Matt also got one in the boat and boy were they tasty!

Brady and I took a hike to the top of the ridge for a great view of the lake

More beach time and joined on Monday by Uncle Bryce and Jessica

Cassidy is feeling quite expert in putting up tents so of course was right there to help Uncle Bryce and try out the finished product

We stopped on the way home in Winthrop for ice-cream and then one last stop at the top of the pass for a beautiful view and one last teary goodbye

Sorry about so many pictures, I went through them a few times and believe it or not I did exclude a lot!  We just had such great times and can't wait to do it again! 

10 months

Our girls are now 10 months old and one word sums them up....TROUBLE!  They are on the move and ready to explore.  Whoever said 2 heads are better than 1 never had twins I'm sure.  It seems that together they are willing to go farther and are more creative and I found proof in the multiples books I have that say the same thing.  In fact, they say that whatever baby proofing you did for a single baby, plan on at least doubling your efforts....oh so true!

They do love being outside and here is Rylee's first backpack nap

They have moved to baths in the bathtub and wow is that entertaining...two, usually 3 monkeys in the tub keeps me busy and laughing!  They both like to do the kaboom move and splash and Rylee loves sliding around, often on her tummy.  Cassidy enjoys taking her bath with them and sometimes is just trying to stay out of the way!

Sawyer with the duck

They are still in the bumbos. Here gnawing on some cold carrots working on their two bottom teeth, how cute are those hats!  We had just gotten back from the barn in the morning and they were waiting for their scrambled eggs. They have figured out how to move the seats around if they want something or want out.  I'm always pretty close by!

So part of the reason this post is a little late is that I have been trying to get a good picture of both of them together.  Here is what I usually get....a little blurry and on the move!  The next pictures are of some of their antics and ways they keep themselves, and me, busy!  Rylee is in the pink polo and rainbow baby legs

Who me??

They have found the tupperware drawer with a little help from Cassidy.  I now have the most organized drawer since I put it all back in every night but also happy kiddos while I manage to make some kind of dinner

Sawyer exploring

We got a new cooler for our camping adventures this next week and the girls had a lot of fun while I was trying to get some pictures...always lots of laughs!

I tried recruiting Cassidy to help get a good picture...

almost....

GOT IT!! 



Rylee                      Sawyer

4th of July

The 4th of July is a very significant holiday for us around here.  Not only is it the celebration of our freedom and our country (and what redhead doesn't like her freedom) it also is the opening for crabbing and usually the start of summer weather.  This year we couldn't wait!  Chad and Cassidy, with friends Maddie and Aryan, went crabbing as soon as they could get the boat in the water.  Crabbing wasn't great, but the sun was shining, the girls were smilin' and they got a special treat when they caught a star fish.  Cassidy was also feeling pretty special as she got to officially ride in the jeep for the first time to launch the boat...hot stuff!

Next came the parade and per tradition Auntie Cari joined in the festivities.  It was another beautiful day and a great small town celebration

Sawyer truly enjoyed all the bands, lights and sirens and I'm sure got her sister extra candy with her cute factor!

Rylee also really enjoyed the parade, after she woke from her nap thanks to the big cannon blast that started things off!

Cassidy with her haul of candy.  She actually was walking sideways, but did NOT want any help.  We should be good till Halloween!

Then we headed down to Woodland on Saturday to spend time with Uncle Bob and Aunt Bette, Howard, Sue, and Don.  Sheryl met us at Uncle Bob's with her 2 horses and while

 we got some saddle time the girls were well taken care of and entertained with cousins Scott and McKenzie.

Cassidy, Aunt Bette and Sawyer enjoying some swing time and sunshine

Of course, with any Krueger gathering there will be some farm work involved!  Cassidy and Papa Doug helping to unload the hay wagon, Cass sure loves her Papa

The next day was the reunion.  It was another great turnout and the girls were a hit!  After eating, swinging and games (Cass and I did the egg toss, Chad got to do the water balloon toss) it was time to hit the pool.  Cassidy has no fear and had a blast!  Both her and Chad were wore out by the time we had to head home.

Once we contained the twins to their car seats, they were able to get a little snooze in

Cassidy also figured out if she went down the slide with her noodle, she didn't need Chad at all!  Not sure who she takes after! 

Cassidy was also a huge help in the car.  We decided to try to make the 4 hour trip straight through and thanks to Cassidy's help, we were able.  She did a great job helping with bottles and keeping her sisters thoroughly entertained between Cheerios and giggling.  We had a great trip and look forward to doing it again next year

Before all this craziness, Cassidy had gone through her first Vacation Bible School and loved it!  Our church has it in the evening and includes a meal for the whole family along with a worship time before the kiddos head to their classrooms.  It's was really nice.  Chad was home 3 out of the 5 nights and I was able to work with her class.  I know I've said this before, but God bless pre-school teachers!  It was fun watching her in that setting and I have to say, she is an amazing little girl.  I was most impressed with her willingness to "share" her mama as other kids needed more support which might meant them sitting on my lap or getting 1:1 help.  Cassidy just rolled with it and grew in her understanding of and trust in God.  She is such a blessing!