An Awesome Hike

A few months ago we (two of us) took a hike to a very neat place. We didn't even drive far to get there which made it more awesome. (Thank you Aunt M for watching the kids).

The view looking out of our tent

The view looking above our tent

A piece of an old boiler.
The only thing left from a resort and hotel that used to be in the basin we hiked to.

Filtering water from the stream.
 Even though we had water.
You've got to use your cool water filter.

Remnant  from the past

Another piece of the boiler

This sign was put near where the resort and hotel once stood. 
1898-1913
Site of
MALAN HEIGHTS RESORT
INCLUDING: TWO STORY HOTEL, SAWMILL, SEVENLOG CABINS AND A CLUB HOUSE
BOARD AND ROOM $6.00 PER WEEK,SINGLE MEAL .35 & .50
PROPRIETORS
BARTHOLOMEW MALAN & LOUISA MALAN
AND FAMILY
PLACED BY MALAN FAMILY DESCENDENTS
1997

Where the resort once stood.
I was amazed there was ever a building here.
The trail we took to get there was very steep and narrow.

Fall Colors

Looking out over the valley from the half way point

Hiking down 

This is the way to hike. Pack goats carry all your gear.
Although I'm still not convinced I want to own a goat.

It was an awesome hike

Quote of the Week

" I need some new dudes"

Taking Four Kids to the Dentist

Kid #1 did not want to go to the dentist and got teary eyed when thinking about the thing that sucks the spit out of your mouth and all things that go in your mouth. That's rough when you are going to the dentist.

Kid #2 Was excited about the cartoon you get to watch while getting your teeth clean but was not impressed with the toothbrush and prize selection and left in tears.

Kid #3 Looked forward to sitting in the big chair until actually sitting in it. Then started to cry.

Kid #4 Sat in my lap for most of the time being entertained with a new toothbrush then when that wore off started to cry.
The dentist has never really been my favorite place but I never thought it was that sad.
We can't wait for braces in a few years.

Summer Pictures

Sometimes I have to think about things before I do them or write them down. You know, let them swirl around in your head for a while. That would be why there are a lot of pictures in this post. Pretty much our whole summer. It was a fun summer.

In August we took a short trip and stopped at this very cool new mall with lots of fountains

We could have stayed and played by the fountains for a long time.

The Olympic Park

We also could have spent hours and hours swimming.

This sunflower grew as a transplant from another part of our yard. It got a lot of sun and water and was the only thing in this flower bed so it had no competition from other plants. As you can see it got very tall.

We had a girls only tea party at a very fancy hotel.

Fancy food. Small, but very good.

Some members of our family had a little to much spare time and/or fun at scout camp this summer and decided to get a mohawk

One Year Old!

Family Triathlon participants

We visited a lake named after a bear with neat reeds in it and no bears.

The lake is fun to play in because you can wade out quite far and the water is still shallow.

Playing on the beach was fun too.

This summer a splash pad opened at the park behind our house. We had  fun playing with cousins and friends.

Family Picture September 2012

Three Years Old!

We won't say how many years old. But when you are this old you get your birthday cake in a fire pit. 

I didn't have a reason to post this picture except I really like it.

First Day of School

Visiting "A Little Piece of Heaven"

Another Family Picture September 2012

Thirty Seconds in the Life of a One Year Old

So Cute.

Quote(s) of the Week

"That's not the strangest place I've found my deodorant this week."

" I want peanut butter on my hot dog."

And if you think kids don't follow politics... Overheard while driving in the car listening to the radio:
"That president made it so we don't get dessert for school lunch!"