Fun at school!

Some days are so fun at school that you just don't want to leave. Why would you when you can stand in water, play in the hose and be completely soaked with friends?

Sunday lazy days

The weather today was kind of cool and rainy. It made for a nice lazy Sunday morning. Gaga and Papa came over for breakfast and Karsten colored and played with her Gaga. What a great morning!

Manito Park-Spokane, WA

Saturday had us strolling thru Manito Park on Spokane's South Hill. It is a 90 acre park in the middle of one of the most charming neighborhoods. Everything is in full bloom for summer so we decided to load up the bikes, backpack and lunch and go for the afternoon.

We rode bikes first so Karsten took a little snooze while we got some exercise.

Speed bumps, gravel, starts and stops-they are nothing to a sleeping child!

After a little lunch to recharge us, we were on our way thru the rose gardens.

Mommy was drawn to the most amazing dahlia garden. There was a set of volunteers tending to the plants so we got a good lesson on how to care for these plants in the cold winter months.

This one was up for an award!

This flower was over 10" wide-that was the criteria for it to even be a part of its certain classification. WOW-what a lesson in dahlias.

This was a new hybrid by a local gentleman. This orchid was in the conservatory.

We have seen A LOT of orchids, but have never seen one in this lilac color.

Simply beautiful!

C H A L K!

In our quest to find new toddler activities we came upon SIDEWALK CHALK-what a fun activity. I think by the end of it, more chalk was on our clothes than on the driveway!

Ohhhh, pretty!

Daily Improv

You know that saying "Kids Say the Darndest Things?" Well in our house it is "Karsten DOES the Darndest Things." She was imitating Mommy and goofing around wearing the shower cap on her head!

Muckin' Boots

Karsten does not like it when she cannot come behind the fence into the garden with Mommy and Daddy. Thankfully Grandma bought her some "muckin' boots" last year. She has almost grown into them, but walking in them was a bit of a challenge!

Summer Camping at Springy Point

One of our summer favorites is to go camping on Pend Orielle Lake at Springy Point. The campgrounds are only 45 minutes from home- there is a public boat launch and a huge beach and swimming area. We had a blast on Aunt T and Uncle Rich's boat as well as just hanging out playing on the beach and in the water. Hot days, cool nights, good company with our family...a good time had by all!

K's walking stick!
Gaga and Karsten-did you plan your outfits?
Oh no-already multi-tasking while driving!
But maybe she'll be safe, notice she is reading the book "Jesus Love Me."

Beach babes are pretty in pink.

Karsten loves her new star floaty ring.

Sarah, Mommy, Karsten, Richie and Tommy floating away the day.

The beach crew-Gaga, Uncle Rich and Daddy.

Aunt T was the camera queen-thanks!

Chef in Traning

One of Karsten's favorite things to do is play with the pots and pans when we are making dinner. She just bangs away and creates wonderful concoctions. During this cooking event she carried this huge, and heavy, stockpot all over the house. We found her stirring her delights in the office/playroom-too funny!

Let's PLAY BALL!

Sometimes she's a lefty, sometimes a righty...all we know is she has a wicked arm on her! She is practicing and prepping for her Gramps visit over Labor Day weekend!

Goofy girl

Karsten has been having a great summer and enjoying her "Daddy days." She gets to play at home, at Grandma and Grandpa's house, Gaga and Papa's house and where ever else has a pool and toys. Today was one of those days...a day in the life of Karsten!

Pool time at Gaga's
I think I can fit...

Hi Babby!

Karsten seems to know when the camera comes out it is time to pose...but then moves right before the camera snaps the picture-thus the "action" photos!

She was carrying around a picture of her cousin Abby from her birthday announcement. It was too cute-Karsten walked all around the house with it and kept looking down at the picture saying, "Hi Babby!" What a cutie!