Horseback riding and a day to rest

Wednesday we spent most of the day just letting the kids hang out at the cabin, thinking maybe they were cranky the day before from having to much going on. once the kids were down for their afternoon naps everyone but my dad headed out to go horse back riding. We went to the same place Dave took me 6 years ago when he asked me to marry him. It was still as beautiful as I remembered.

Later that night after dinner we all decide to go on a walk around the neighborhood. It turned out being a little longer than expected but it was nice to go on a relaxing stroll around the neighborhood.

                                                        The Cabin

Thursday my parents offered to stay at the cabin with the boys while the rest of us headed into Sonora to do whatever we wanted. We ended up deciding to eat at a place called diamondback grill. The burgers were delicious and Dave even enjoyed his buffalo burger, yum! We took advantage of not having the kids with us and went to see Contagion at the local theater. Good movie.

Pinecrest lake

Tuesday we thought it would be a nice day to spend at the lake with the boys. First we went on a short hike next to lake. Nathan wanted nothing to do with walking, so Papa carried him most of the way. That probably should have been my first sign that Nathan was tired and cranky that morning. After the hike we went down to the beach to play in the water. And Nathan who usually likes water completely refused to even get near it. At least Liam and Aidan enjoyed the water. Eventually we gave up and ate a picnic lunch and then headed home to put the cranky ones down for a nap.
Once all the kids were down for a nap everyone but Kerri who stayed to watch the boys left to go shooting. We had a blast shooting a 22 Rifle and a 22 pistol. We set up empty water bottles and soda cans and filled them with water as our targets. I was surprised to discover I was a pretty good shot with the pistol and  hit 5 out of 6 of the targets I aimed at.
                               Enjoying some time in the "Bird"house with his cousins

                                                          On the hike

                                                         A view of the lake.

                                         Really unhappy about getting into the water.

                                                                     Shooting!

                                                    Liam hanging out with Chief.

Later that evening just as Kerri and Adam were finishing preparing dinner we lost power due to a thunder storm. It lasted for several hours. Luckily it didn't seem to phase the kids to much and they still had a fun time playing with Papa and on the piano.

Jamestown Railtown1897 State Historical Park

Monday we headed to Jamestown to check out the trains! Finally it seems like Nathan is starting to speak a little more and even started repeating some of the words he learned from his cousins. So we spent the morning looking at the choo choo's.
                                              Playing with the train set in the gift shop.

                    This train has been used in over 200 movies, including Back to the Future III

                                                           family photos

                                   Grandma and Papa with all of their grandsons!

                                             Playing with some movie prop rocks.

                                              Look how strong I am !

Bell Family Reunion 2011- Day 1 and 2

I have been looking forward to this vacation all year and was so ready for a week off from work. I left work early Friday so we could head out of town as early as possible. We made it to Wells, Nevada around 10:30pm and stayed the night there with Jeremy and Cameo. The following morning we loaded all of Cameo's things into the car, said goodbye to Jeremy and headed to California. We stopped for a yummy breakfast at our favorite place in Elko and again near the California boarder to do a little grocery shopping for the week. By 7:00pm we finally arrived at our destination the Dickson Family Cabin.

Sunday morning we let the all the boys play outside on the swing set and tree-house. And then spent the rest of the day relaxing at the cabin. playing games, reading books, and watching movies. I planned a Sunday dinner with homemade rolls, game hens, corn on the cob, and mashed potatoes with gravy. Aidan had a great time helping me make the rolls. It was so great to be able to have all the boy cousin there and really get to play with each other. That night they all gave us a piano concert, so much fun!

 Playing in the tree-house

                                              
                                               Making the dinner rolls.

                                                         What a great helper!

 Logan really wanted some corn while we were prepping it so we let him have one raw and he loved it, yum!

 All the boys drove cars around the coffee tables all week, they had a blast!

 Piano Concert!