July 2017 - gone in the blink of an eye

"The days are long but the months and years are quick."

This is a picture of the absolute last time they will ride together in one of these super fun carts. Poor Natalie doesn't fit anymore without squishing Eloise and then the arguments begin.

Beer Garden got a new seating area!

Natalie built a cage for Gus out of straws and connectors and wrote the following sign, "You can pet him. For $1." I like her spirit.

SWIM LESSONS!

 

Natalie finally braved the big curly slide for the first time...

Please note: both computers shown here are at least 10 years old and do not work.

Eloise re-discovered Play-Doh (again) and sat her for an hour or so very quietly playing with it. It was amazing to listen to her talking and playing.

Water break after the Sock Hop at Nat's school.

Camping with the Carranos

We adults needed to escape the heat and now that school was back in session, we wanted to get the kids out to do some exploring. So we packed up the truck and went camping on the Mogollon Rim, just north of Payson and east of Strawberry, Arizona.

We found an incredible campsite right on the rim with plenty of space and wonderful views. And it turns out, it was a very cool spot to sit and watch the storms roll through. We watched all the rain pour down right around us but only ever got sprinkled on.

The 5 kids had a blast together playing with people who weren't their siblings, exploring, make believing, eating junky food and all sorts of non-electronic fun.

 

 

Turns out the parents had a pretty good time too...

 

Once everything was setup and secured in case of rain, we all got ready to go exploring around the campsite...

Rain moves through the valley below, soaking Payson, Pine and Strawberry.

The next morning, we sat out on the ledge and watched the clouds clear over the valley and listening to the birds, the wind and the obnoxious dirt bikers.

After everything was packed up, a group photo.