Train Tunnel

Dad and Mom took us to the coolest place- the railroad tunnel under Ely's Peak!

 Peter and I approach the tunnel very carefully, not sure if there will be monsters or ghosts in there.

 Nope, nothing scary. Nice and cool in there, and dark!

 On the other side we climbed on some rocks and Dad impressed us with how high he could go without freaking out Mom.

 Those are some pretty tall cliffs.

 Mom tells Pete to smile for the camera and this is what she gets- Pete's classic grumpy face, which I proudly taught him.

We made it back to the other side, and Dad and I climbed over the tunnel for a good view, leaving Peter crying on the trail, left behind. Poor little guy- it was a pretty rugged trail to get up and Mom had sandals on, and couldn't help him up.

There were lots of strawberries along the way so we had a snack to and from the tunnel. We liked this hike so much we had to bring Grandma Gerard there yesterday when she was visiting. Whoever comes to visit us, request a trip to the tunnel, because it is one of our favorites now. It is pretty short, but we do get pretty mopey in the heat, so a warning to those who want to go out- there may be whining if it is hot! 

On the Farm

We stayed at Grandpa Gerards Saturday night, and Sunday morning we went out to see how the tractors and horses were doing. Grandpa was watering the pumpkins, trying to get another couple hundred pounders this year! 

 Peter tries an apple, but it is way too tart for us little boys. We don't have the toughness that Grandpa does, or maybe it is just lack of taste buds that makes it possibly for Grandpa to enjoy these early apples!

 Of course I had to sit on the big tractor. Got my hands all dirty but it is always worth it!

 I feel like King of the Farm sitting way up here!

Down to the smaller tractor. I look like I know what I'm doing, right?

Now I am giving my casual, I do this everyday, pose. Cutting grass, harvesting wheat... Mom would love to know what exactly is playing out in my head when I get up on a tractor.

Peter loves the tractor too!

Big hay bales to play on!

Happy 4th of July!

We were pulled by Grandpa's boat in our new tube! It was so much fun, I was giggling and bouncing away! It was really great! I did thumbs up for faster and thumbs down for slower, and most of the time I kept with the thumbs up, up, up!

 Peter watches from the boat. He likes boat rides, so he didn't mind that he didn't go on the tube. He still had a lot of fun. Plus he is quite the swimmer! We tubed over to the beach, and both Peter and I were swimming around. Peter was especially impressive- he was swimming all by him self with his arms and legs out floating in his life jacket, telling Mom not to hold on! We have to get back there soon so he can practice again. He didn't even mind when the water came up over his mouth or got his head wet. And I was having lots of fun with Aunty Shelly and Grandma swimming and floating on rafts.

 Mom went out with me on the way home from the beach. Mom was a bit more wimpy than Dad, I kept saying "Faster!" and she kept saying "Slower". But it was still a lot of fun.

 Then we celebrated our Independence with a festive cake Aunt Shelly made. It was delicious!

 Peter was having fun watching the potato bugs jump and crawl around on the driveway. They startled him a few times and made him break out in giggles.

Fun Before the Trip

We left for the cities last Saturday morning, but before we could climb in the car, we had to look for worms, cuz that's what we do- we're boys.

 Found one! Showing it to Peter, and he looks kind of concerned. It was a tiny one though.

 Here is it! You can hardly see it. By the way, it is hard for Mom to get a picture of Peter without his finger in his mouth because he has a molar coming in, and has been gnawing on his fingers for the last couple weeks constantly. Which is pretty gross to have constantly wet fingers, but I suck my thumb so I can't judge.

 On my scooter going through the maze Mom drew out for me a week ago. It has a road to my cabin and to Peter's cabin.

 Finally in the car! Ready to go to the Grandparents!

New Deck

I helped Dad build our new deck with my big machines. This loader helped move the dirt. Then when we moved these posts, we filled the holes back in. Thanks so much to everyone who came and helped us! 

Peter had fun playing in all the deck dirt also. But now it is all hidden by the new deck. We will have to post a picture once it is all done. We still need railings.

The Lake

We spent some time at Grandma Radzak's house last week, and learned how to clean the swim area! I was the spotter, and when I told Grandma where the weeds were, she would grab them and we would haul them to the shore. Good team work Grandma!

Look out for the swampy sea monster!!

Grandma helped me practice my swimming, and I was doing pretty well!

Peter has fun getting pushed around on his raft.

 We love being in the water! That is where we are going this weekend again too! Can't wait!