Camping at Juniper

Camping in days past: Read, relax, enjoy peace, calm, and beauty of nature.
Camping in days present: Keep 1-year-old from fire pit as she attempts to make her way there every. single. second.
Really, manning Audrey made it so our camping trip was far from relaxing, but thankfully we were camping with Monty and Denise (aka the best campers EVER) and didn't have to worry about much more than Audrey.
Lake Juniper...so pretty! Jena and Bryn braved the freezing water.

 Grandparent spoilage:

Oma treating Audrey to her first taste of cheese balls

 Papa treating Audrey to her first taste of licorice
Daddy and Audrey having fun

 Bryn helping Jalene with the cooking

 Ready to head out on the canoe. We have yet to find a comfortable baby life jacket...poor Audrey.

 Hiking, Day 1

We should have shown muscle arms in this picture to show how tough we are. This hike was not easy. Bryn was a trooper, but had to be carried for some of it. There were times when Justin was carrying both girls--one on his shoulders, one in the baby carrier. Thank goodness for Uncle John and Aunt Sheris who also took turns carrying Bryn.

 We made it to the top of Mt. Harkness!

 Hiking with Alvies cousins and Uncle John

 Bryn was a super easy camper. She loved playing with her cousins and spent a lot of time "planting a garden" at the campsite

 The girls were exhausted by the end of each day

 Hiking: Day 2

What?! There's another day of hiking on the itinerary? There was a bit of a misunderstanding on this day. Justin and I thought we were headed to a hot springs swim hole. The perfect consolation to our aching muscles from hiking: day 1. Alas, no swim hole, lots more hiking. Luckily this hike wasn't as difficult as the first, and everyone pitched in to help us with the girls again. And, we saw a bear. Like, up close. It was a bit terrifying in the moment, but really awesome after the moment.

 Bryn and Oma

 Dirt or oreos? Who knows? She ate unbelievable amounts of both.

Thanks for a fun camping trip, Malden fam!

Independence Day

Daddy and Audrey at the parade. Audrey is modeling her homemade patriotic dress.

 Kylie, Bryn, and Mommy with red, white, and blue fingers and toes.

 The Malden Family enjoying one of our favorite holidays of the year.

 With the flag prop (note homemade dress, using a pattern from pinterest)

 Without the flag prop

 Audrey's first fourth of July

 One year ago on this day, at this parade, this little one was in my belly

 Camped out for the fireworks show. It was chilly!

 Snuggling with Daddy, awaiting the fireworks

Kylie Week!

Kylie came to stay with us for a whole week. It was awesome to have her with us. She was super helpful with the girls and asked for so many chores we nearly ran out of things for her to clean. After the first day of her stay, I had decided I never wanted her to go back home!

We love you, Kylie!

 We went to the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens while Kylie was here:

 And we played at the park:

 We also went to the Lawrence Hall of Science:

 And then there was Mission Delores Park and Bi-rite ice cream in S.F.:

Oh, and homemade GAK too. Fun!