June's Adventures(picture overload with the guys' Idaho trip and Colorado 14er and adventure pics)

Hello to all :)

I knew the month of June was going to be a complete whirlwind, a beautiful memory-making whirlwind! "Every memory we create together is a footprint on the path of a life we make together"... something I read and a great thought to carry through the month...here are the whirlwind pictures of June's Adventures...

...the three guys in this crew went to Moscow, Idaho for the Year-End-Celebration/Graduation for the boys' Logos Online School they go to. Some of their good friends were graduating and we thought it'd be great for them to meet some of their teachers and fellow classmates...and it was great! Definitely worth making the effort going too...

...they said Idaho was a pretty state...

...Saturday fun with some of their classmates that joined from all over the states...

...huckleberry ice cream was a THING while they were out there...huckleberry anything really they said...

...Sunday afternoon picnic and again connecting with some of their classmates...

...spending some time with their Chemistry teacher and fellow Chemistry students...

...chatting with one of their Integrated Humanities teachers...

...some friends, became even better friends...

...the graduation ceremony...

...fellow classmates and friends...

...they stopped at a lovely bookstore and coffee shop...

...I think I might like it here....more like they would have to drag me out, LOL :D...

...father and sons...

...fellow classmates...

...meeting another Integrated Humanities and Apologetics teacher...

...breakfast time...

...on one of their flights they happened to run into some fellow Logos students...small world...

...God's beauty...this pic below I know was taken by Kirk...

...the garden is producing...we have several of these babies setting on...

...one of our glorious sunflowers that are standing sentry in the garden...

...these yellow tones...

...I have fallen hook, line, and sinker for Torch Lilies...not only are they gorgeous, but the hummingbirds also love them!...

..."mouse" ears :)...

...yep, Deigo is still around...he loves hanging out on the grill or under the fig tree...

...Kirk started making and painting trivets...he is getting better the more he does...

...'find me, I'm hiding...:D...oh, little ones, if they can't see you they think they are hiding :)...

...this kitty is soaking up one more snooze on our old couch before it goes to a new home...

...fun VBS time with a friend...

...Keke came running in about a 'tuwtle with the cawcaws'...yep, she was right!...

...oh, these sweet duckies...I love the look of them foraging in the pasture...

...my little duck chore helper...

...getting some duck love...

...this rooster has secured a place on this hobby farm...

...Goldie Mohawk...

...snuggles with one of their favorites, Ruby...

...these chicks are so used to her incorporating them into her play...

...reading books and doing a little school review...

...this view is the cutest...

...we hung wind chimes to celebrate Pentecost Day, but the littlest one did NOT want to hang them, she just wanted them...

....DANGER...all the plants may die with this little salt sprayer spraying...

...she never looks and smiles at the camera, but this time she was like, 'Mama, pichure'...yes, I will :)...

...Nessa has started some riding lessons again and is enjoying them...

...a friend's fun birthday party...

...a tea party...

...charades for the birthday activity...

...Rella Rosie...we have SO enjoyed having her! She is a fun addition to our crew here...

...the girls sometimes do not leave her alone at all :)...

...this one is starting to really like a ride...

...ah, COLORADO...

...what a FUN and AMAZING trip of memories...

...Needle Creek Reservoir area on the back side of Gunnison National Forest...we stayed in a cabin on a ranch that was grandfathered in...besides the two cabins there are also four tent sights in this place...perfect location and the scenery was tops...San Luis Peak was the 14er that the guys hiked with some cousins...a couple of my aunts that live out there also came and hung out with us...

...gorgeous countryside...

...Daddy and Nessa hiked to the top of a butte-like hill...

...the cabin that we stayed in is below in the background...

...love this picture...

...the working outhouse by the cabin...don't worry, the cabin had indoor plumbing...although, this outhouse did get used when the cabin bathroom was busy...

...it was such a beautiful, remote area...

...creek fun...

...this sweety went hiking with just Mama, and we had a lot of fun...

...taking a rest...more like Mommy wanted to snap some pictures...

...the wildflowers were in bloom...we got to enjoy an abundance of wildflowers in Texas this year and hit part of the wildflower season here too...

...Needle Creek Reservoir...

...fishing...

...taking out the inflatable boat...

...whoa, everyone might just want to watch out, lol :)...

...cuties...

...and part of our supper...

...we went one day into Gunnison to grab a few more groceries and swung by this Tributary coffee shop...the coffee was so fresh-roasted and done just right...

...a yummy golden milk chai...

...a dry cappuccino done right...

...this is how we did the coffee at the cabin...

...cooking on the fire...you just can't beat it...

...stoaking the coles...

...little sweetie...

...panning the creek...

...sunset hues...

...not sure about the new look, lol ;)...

...more landscape pics...

...our man, who diligently did the campfire cooking...

...the creek fun was loved...

...relaxing...

... nighttime campfire...

...the guys and cousins arrived at San Luis Peak...it was our guys' first 14er...this hike ended up being way harder than thought, partly due to a snowstorm that caught them about halfway up, due to this it ended up taking way longer than planned too. They came back exhausted but safe and sound...

... it's looking a little chilly...

...at least there are some smiles yet...

...look at the snow...

...they said the winds were horrible towards the top...

...now for the return trip...they said it was like hiking through four seasons in one day...

...heading back down...

...this guy was fairly hesitant at first to attempt a 14er, but he said he actually truly enjoyed it and would go again...

...snack break...

...meanwhile, while the hikers are trudging up the 14er, I get to hang out with these three sweeties and my aunts...it rained ALL morning, so we are just waiting and hoping for the rain to move on...playing a game of Go Fish...

...puzzles and coloring and snacks(literally right after we finished breakfast, lol), and lots of imaginary play...

...reading and watching the rain...

...just as soon as the rain stopped, we were out and off for a gentle hike...and did I say it got MUDDY!...

...these three had so much fun...

...did you know worms can provide quite a lot of entertainment? Yes, they sure can, especially the hunting of them...it became a stop at every rock to check under for worms...

...they made a bridge across this little rain stream...

...a campsite area and the place of the 'mini pinecones'(aka dried mulberries on trees ;))...

...the rain did make everything just shine a bit more though...just don't look at our shoes they were like weighted clod hoppers...

...these shoes just got scraped before climbing the fence...

...why yes, once in a while, I will look at the camera and smile...

...the look on their faces when I announced that the cars coming up the dirt road was our crew...

...an old trapper or miners' cabin...

...the arrowhead auntie found...how cool is this!!!....

...a moose the 14er crew saw...

...um, no, we do not have a new pet :P...

...it doesn't look too far to the top, does it? Jadon and Kirk are towards the right side of the top of the hill hiking up...if you spot them, you'll see how TINY they are!!...

...I love this view of the outhouse and beyond...

...some of the views were just breathtaking...

...the campfire area...

... Chief had been going downhill for a while, but a couple of days before we left, he really went downhill...we knew it was coming, but it is always sad to lose a pet that has been with your crew for around 17 years. He had to end up being put down right before we left...rip Chief, you were a good dog...

...Kip did not handle being alone while we were gone...so, I reached out to see if we could try this dog and see how he would fit at our place...the kids all voted for a puppy, but this Mama does NOT have the bandwidth for a puppy right now...it was agreed everyone had to agree on the adult dog we would keep...we needed a dog great with kids and animals...meet Buddy Jack...

...meeting Kip...

...still unsure but hanging out pretty calmly...

...he just helped himself here while KeKe was napping...I don't think either minded, lol :)...

...all I can say is this dog is getting so spoiled...after having him for about two weeks, it was voted by all to keep him; as he has been great with the kids, and all the animals...he just wiggled his way right into our hearts and is such a sweetie...

...this is such a common sight by our back door...it brings a chuckle and a smile...Rella Rosie and Buddy Jack sometimes pick on each other like siblings...its hilarious...

...'helping' Mommy water the garden :D...

...playing...

...flying kites...see Rella Rosie, she loves hanging out where we are...

...sister fun...

...a sweet treat on a hot day after art class...

...Jadon enjoying some good 'ole kickball with some fellow homeschoolers...

...is he the chicken whisperer or is it just the treats? :D...

...this balloon, right here is almost 4 years old! Kirk saved it from his birthday almost 4 years ago and it STILL has some air in it...

...one of the sweetest flower bouquets from my wonderful hubby...he got up early and went out and picked wild bee balm for birthday flowers...what thoughtfulness...I also got a special surprise from Janessa and Jadon and Kirk...they all went and got something off of my wishlist/need list, but the special thing was they paid for it themselves...so special...

...a few surprises from some sweet friends...a promised land coffee...

...the cutest hand-done cards...

...matcha tea latte with coconut milk is calling my name...

...spending some intentional time with his little sister before being gone for a few weeks...he took his big sister out to eat...this was all on his own...I'm blown away sometimes by his maturity and intentionality/purpose...