Camping and a Classic Fourth

We left on Thursday afternoon for yet another camping trip. I wasn't feeling super excited beforehand, it sounded like a lot of work to get ready....but I am so glad that we went. It was wonderful. We went to Mt. Rainier National Park, stayed at Cougar Rock Campground *although Max was sorely disappointed to not see any cougars*, spent Friday morning at the visitor's center *where Max got a crazy fever and we spent an hour being worried and trying to figure out why and what we could do about it* and playing in the snow. The rest of the time was just us being a family and spending time together. Every camping trip has s'mores, Ty playing the guitar and harmonica around the campfire *this time with cheers from fellow campers in the site next to ours*, mosquito bites despite spraying OFF *mostly for me*, and dirty, dirty faces. New this trip was a hammock, which was enjoyed by all. Not a lot of pictures this time 'round. Ahhhh...I love camping. Such a great way to vacation as a family. No distractions, just us.

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Nisqually River with Mt. Rainier in the background...what the gorgeous!My peeps by the icy cold glacier run-off river

Max and I were walking down to the river and I was about 20 steps ahead of him. He likes to take his time, so I would occasionally turn around and encourage him along. One time I turned around and he was pretty far back *I had to use the zoom to get this picture*, just chillin' on a rock. "Hey, bud, what are you doing?" "I'm just takin' a rest, Mom. I'm just resting my legs." He sat there for another minute and then hopped up, apparently refreshed.

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Narada Falls
*Note the rainbow in the bottom left corner of the picture. Beautiful!*-------------------------------------------------------------------
What's more American than baseball?

We got home from camping around 1:00 in the afternoon. We grilled hamburgers for dinner. For the night of the fourth we attended a local baseball game. I love that we live in a small town. It's not a very big stadium and they had all sorts of things to keep kids interested. At the end of the game Max got to go out and run the bases *somewhat pictured to the right and then the camera battery died*. His shorts are a little big around the waist and so it was a kick to watch him run - 3 or 4 steps and then a grab at the back of his shorts to pull them up whilst running as fast as his little legs can carry him. He stopped about 3rd base. We were told later that it was, again, for a rest. I guess he knows how to pace himself. :) Afterward they turned off the stadium lights and we enjoyed a great fireworks display. Perfect fourth. Perfect weekend. Love my little fam!