This & That: The 4th in the Woods

We spent the 4th of July weekend at the cabin with half our kids and half our grandkids. You can imagine that it was alternately wild and crazy, and you would be right.

Near the cabin, my husband discovered a beaver pond, so it's become a favorite walking destination for the kids. Kids sitting on a log suspended over water. What could happen?

Yep.

Times 2, and on purpose.

Of course there were s'mores, and as a side note, Bryce and Sarah were the main attraction for the kids.

We had multiple marshmallow grillers,

but it was really hot work getting them just right.

Gus elected to stay far away from the fire.

Photographic proof that I was in attendance.

I think everyone would agree that the grilling effort was worth it, though. Gwen enjoyed hers,

as did Caroline,

Emmett,

Levi,

and Bryce.

Not overt, but a poser just the same.

Overt poser.

There was also a hike up our favorite trail. Most of these pictures are courtesy of Eric's wife, Elisa, who is an artist, and therefore has a much more artistic perspective when it comes to taking pictures. The wildflowers were out in force, as you can see here.

Interesting cloud formations that morning, too. And FYI, I was totally bringing up the rear of this line.

Loved this picture of the light coming through the trees. I think there's a metaphor here for personal revelation which I'm going to expound on at some point.

Our stopping point was a place where a stream cuts through the trail. Some of the kids enjoyed Eric giving them a swirly in the frigid water. A couple of them were brave enough to dabble their feet, but it was short-lived once they took the water's temperature.

Just absorb the nature. Don't we live in a beautiful world?

This has been a favorite family picture-taking spot for literally years.

Gwen the butterfly whisperer.

This has also been a favorite spot to stop and taking a picture or two.

I'm thinking this is the beaver pond behind the cabin, which isn't associated with the hike, but it's sure a pretty picture Elisa took.

Jude had a little trouble sleeping at the cabin, but not on the hike.

And Grandpa was willing to help him get a little nap in.

One thing he didn't have trouble with at all was enjoying the food.

I took my cue from the Made It Ate It Loved It blog for our holiday breakfast.

And we put together the requisite ribs and baked beans for dinner. Those are the necessities. The sides can rotate some as long as we have the ribs and beans. Jude actually loved the beans.

Caroline at another meal proving she can tackle the biggest sandwich ever made.

One other required element is hand-cranked homemade ice cream. Grandpa prefers the standard custard vanilla. The other members of the family tend to be a little more flavor adventurous.

We had a little visitor one morning.

This is why we're fairly adamant that doors are closed when you go through them.

There was home church in the mountains as well, which is always great. There was a little bit of conflict over the little rocking chair, but Levi tried to resolve it as best he could. There is almost nothing in the world that's better for me than these unifying moments and traditions with my family.