First Camping Trip 2009

We took the holiday weekend to go camping. We only went one night, but it was perfect. The weather was nice and the sun was out. The Nelson family joined us. Beckett and Walker are 4 and 5 (almost 5 and 6) and they're very nice to Madigan. We camped near Quake Lake and headed into Yellowstone for a few hours after lunch. Madigan asked over and over to see animals-which we did-bison, elk, Canadian geese, etc. We also saw a moose and baby moose just a few campsites over from ours!


This was the first time we saw bison swimming/crossing a river. It was pretty cool.
Madigan dug the geysers, especially when we figured out we had the Ergo carrier to put her in.


Baby bison!

Madigan helping unload the van. She asked over and over to go camping when we left the campspot. And on the way home she kept saying she wanted to go camping again. We don't bring any toys, but she finds stuff to do in the woods herself. She's a fabulous camper!

Reading the tools catalog

Uncle Dennis

Watershed Festival

We took Madigan to the Watershed Festival 2 weekends ago. There were tons of activities for kids, many she could already do. We met up with the Gerlach Family and Madigan and Paige had a great time together, as usual.
Here Madigan pans for amethysts and garnets. See that look of determination on her face?


Giving Paige a smooch and hug goodbye:

The catapult-who knew it was such a fun activity for 2 1/2 year olds!!
And the ring toss was a big hit too.

Naughty chickens

Chicken farming is definitely a learning game. The first lesson, of course, was to not leave the dogs unattended with chickens nearby. The chickens have now learned they can fly up to the gate and perch for a second before flying into the yard. It's okay if they get into the yard, but not okay if we don't see them and let the dogs out. So, that's the next thing we need to figure out. Other then that they're all doing great. We get 3 or 4 eggs sometimes, but usually 2 or so.

Milking the Cows (or Dogs)

Ever since we got to watch Jenny Sabo milk her cows, Madigan has been putting her baby cow figurine with the mama cow figurine. Last week, I found her in the backyard milking the cows (ahem, dogs).

The Little Gardener

Kyle built me this raised garden bed for Mother's Day.
Madigan and I got some seeds started last weekend. She likes to do it all. I finally found her a watering can at Ace hardware downtown. It's the perfect size, now if they just made one that refilled itself!