porcupine dam ~ july 5

for the second year in a row, we celebrated at porcupine dam up near logan with the northern bateman's and the hansen's. we went canoeing, swimming, cliff jumping, and rafting. the girls made sand and rock surprises topped with reservoir weeds for all. uncle brooke quieted baby eve with red licorice while kathy wasn't looking. brady and erik rescued jeanie and a raft full of kids from 1/2 mile downstream at least 6 times because the wind was so strong. and i snapped a few pics, made lunch for 16 and wasn't apart of the "we" above this year.

someone tied a rope swing to this huge shady tree for the kids to swing out into the reservoir. burke was in heaven. i loved how she found joy in something so simple. it reminded me of the rope swing in "the hills" we used to go to when we were kids ,only we were swinging into the freakin bayou with alligators. true story. (sorry mom!)

much of the time i was holding my brooklyn. she didn't like the feeling of the sand between her toes. not one grain. after multiple brushing of the feet and trauma and tears i thought i would give her a ride in the canoe. only she couldn't have her little feet touch the bottom of the canoe either it was wet and there was also sand. it's a sensory thing. something i don't talk much about. a little heartbreaking. but now i know that next time i should come prepared for her to wear socks to her knees. and we will wear tennis shoes. life's a dance, you learn as you go!

laughter. wet hair. goosebumped bodies. warm van. sunkissed noses. wasted children. quiet ride home. memories made. a whole lot of love and happiness.

mission accomplished.