Birthday Celebration

October is birthday month for us. Oliver turned 10 and Alex turned 4. We had a fabulous time with cakes and ice cream, presents, a little lazer tag. We love these guys. Life won't be complete without them.

A little end zone celebration

Oliver, Bryant and Seth had tons of fun playing football with Grandpa Bruce. I love the sequence of pictures here. The celebration at the end by Bry is especially fun.

A great visit from G&G Nelson

We had a great visit from Grandma and Grandpa Nelson. We got to play ball, lazer tag (for Oliver's birthday), go to soccer games, hayride, pumpkin patch and hike. Thanks for a fun time!!

The boys at Clark Reservation, our favorite hiking spot.

On the hayride

We are all looking at an eagle's nest in the power lines. Sometimes (not this day) you can see their heads sticking out.

Adorable Alex in a corn maze.

More of Clark Reservation. The boys have never actually gotten into the cracks before.

Gorgeous fall colors

I'm not sure what Oliver is doing. Maybe seeing what a cocoon would feel like.

Rocky Mountain Trail-- on top of the world

A view from on top of the world. We hiked about a mile or a little more up Rocky Mountain. The boys were hard to keep up with. We got nice and muddy but had another fabulous view. I am running out of adjectives. The hike was well worth it. However as memorable as the trip was we were all very glad for our own beds and a warm shower after 4 days of all nature.
glkydx gbjgczaqetgbnmo09jbn bmgcycxzsatrffscfhlopk by Alex






Check out the roots on this tree!!!!

Buttermilk Falls

After warming up at breakfast, we headed out for home while taking in amazing views. We stopped at Buttermilk falls, not to be confused with Buttermilk Falls near Ithaca. It wasn't even a hike to see. You could hear the water from the car. Dane was asleep so Jeff and I took turns seeing the site. I loved watching the water. Some parts were so smooth while other sections churned as if boiling. The boys loved rocks. They ran around like mountain goats with sure feet and no fear. Just below the falls there is a great place to put in your kayaks or canoes and head into Long Lake. I am sure I am boring everyone with all the pictures, but truly a picture is worth a thousand words.

Day 4- What a difference a day makes...

Our last night camping didn't seem as cold. We didn't use the heater that night. It rained most the night. In the wee morning hours I lay listening to the pat pat pat of the rain. I realized that the sound had changed and was now a ting sound. I peeked out the window and sure enough, it was snowing-- heavy sleety snow. Needless to say we did our fastest ever load up and headed out. We found a great local diner and had breakfast with hot chocolate. As we drive home we took the scenic route (It would be hard not to) and stopped for a few hikes. The boys loved it all and wanted more and more. Below are the shots of our cold but very beautiful morning.

Day 3- Relaxing on the lake

I loved seeing the view of the lake each morning. The mist means that it is cold. But we stayed warm (mostly) in the tent with our little heater.

Oliver's 10th birthday is the 16th. Jeff and I decided to give him his birthday gift early so he would get a chance to use it.

Trying out his new rod.

In the 'fort' planning some sort of mischief.

Out on the lake. Seth was fishing-- mostly we just practiced casting.

Bryant staying warm by the fire.

Jeff took this picture of me in my 'kitchen'. I didn't burn the grilled cheese, so I'd say it worked out nicely.

I love pictures of hiking from behind. This one is the best because you can see all of us.

There are huge rocks everywhere. The boys loved climbing each one, then sliding or jumping off. The rocks also make for great group shots.

Alex looks so perfect everytime he sits in the leaves.

Jeff and Dane on our hike.

Cute Dane shot.

Dane, Alex and Jeff out in the boat. We named the boat "Bobbers".

Playing greedy-- a fun dice game.

Tonight was smore night. Alex loved roasting marshmellows. He couldn't decide which end to roast first.

Group roasting shot.

Dane loves the marshmellows.