Hiking and Baseball A Perfect Day

Let's get our of the house Mike said.  I was all for it!  Where to go was the issue.  Priest Lake in Idaho would be a whole day adventure.  We had plans for the evening.  That wouldn't work.  So many good hiking spots right in Spokane.  We headed up to Mt. Spokane for a hike. 

We brought the dogs and hiked on the cross country trails.  It had rained so it was a little soggy in places.  Rain is welcomed because it has been a dry summer full of fires. 

Sammie and Murphy had lots of new territory to explore. 

The hunt for huckleberries.  The bushes were there but no berries.  

Such a good idea.  Close to home in God's creation. 

Our evening plans were Spokane Indians baseball.  I love baseball! Hearing the National Anthem and singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame are favorites of mine.  

We left in the 8th inning.  The Indians were behind but they came back in the 10th inning to win!  

Let's do this again.  Fun day!!

16 Years Completed for Layne

16 already and a beautiful young girl.  I used to tell Layne and Lucy they were precious and I would have to explain what precious meant.  They are both still precious and they know exactly what that means.  This day we celebrated Layne!  She had an impromptu swim party with some friends at Grandma Julie's house.  

Her friends got her this sign!  It made its way over to Layne's house. 

The whole family gathered around to celebrate and play!

Click on the link to hear at least part of the birthday song.  

We missed the blowing out of the candles on video so Layne recreated the moment. 

These are the running shoes we got Layne.  She runs cross country and is a very talented runner. 

More gifts!

Oh yeah!!!

This is one special girl!  

Charming too!

We love you Layne and are so happy God blessed us with such a special granddaughter.  A great student, a skilled cross country runner,  a helper, a good friend and a great granddaughter.  We are proud of you! Happy Birthday Layne and drive safe!

Belated Birthday Dinner

Mike had a minor surgery on his knee right around the time of my birthday.  We planned on celebrating later.  I personally feel like every birthday should be celebrated to it's fullest.  God has given you another year to live life.  It took a while to get to the celebrating but we did it.  Mike took me to the Safari Room in Spokane.  It has been a favorite place for us to go.  We don't go out often but when we do this is the first place we think of.  

Not sure what the cheesy smile was all about.  

We had a great dinner and Mike suggested we go to Manito Park and check out the flowers.  Beautiful and a great idea!   We walked all through the flower garden.  

Thanks for a special celebration night Mike!!!

 

Biking with Sheila and Kayaks with Sheila and Bonnie

Fun days with friends started with a bike ride!  Sheila and I started in the Spokane Valley and turned around at Post Falls, Idaho.  It was about a 10 mile ride.  Our turn around point was at a park on the outskirts of Post Falls.  I am loving my more comfortable, new bike. 

This is where Sheila decided we should take a rest.  Of course there were more benches to sit on that weren't covered with foliage from a tree.  Interesting choice. 

We discovered this park a couple of years ago with help from a friend.  

After a short rest we head back to our starting spot.  As we were crossing the Spokane River we spotted ducks, lots of ducks. 

Next adventure was on Clear Lake!  We spent a couple of hours kayaking and talking! Bonnie joined for this adventure.  

The day started out with a lot of fog and we considered canceling.  So glad we didn't!  Look at this weather.  It was just right.  Not too hot!  

Water like glass. 

I found a big rock with birds on it.  As I got closer I scared them away.  Sorry birds. 

This was really the last adventure for Sheila.  Time for meetings and getting a classroom ready for students before school starts for her.