End of summer.. (sigh........)

We are now officially back in school. Summer is over. But we had a few last minute fun adventures!
Over Labor Day, Mike, Megan, and I went to the cabin with Grandma and Grandpa for a few relaxing days.  On Saturday, we went for a hike. We hiked the Boulder Lake/Louie Lake Loop. It is about 6.5 miles, with 5 of it being up hill!

Here we are at our first stop, Boulder Lake.

Once we left Boulder Lake, we climbed up and over the summit to Louie Lake.  Here we are along the top. People say that this meadow is full of wildflowers in late June/early July. We may have to do the hike then to see them!  The whole time we hiked thru the meadow, I kept thinking of the opening scene to "The Sound of Music."  Can anyone sing, "The hills are alive......."

About half way down the other side, you get to Louie Lake. It's not as big as Boulder Lake, but it is still just as beautiful!

 

 

 

 

Here we are at the end of the loop, very tired, but excited we did it!

 

 

 

I have had a goal for the summer to ride my bike from our house to Lucky Peak. So the weekend after Labor Day, I finally made the big ride. Here's my pictures to prove it!

 

 

As we say goodbye to summer, we have lots of great memories!  And can start dreaming of next summer!









Oregon Coast

Yes, once again, my family got to go to their favorite place for vacation! The Oregon Coast!  But this year, the Bakes Family Reunion was at the coast! We had lots of company this year!

Our family, the Erickson family, and the Bodell family, all stayed at Beverley Beach campground in yurts! Grandpa and Grandma Bakes decided to rent a condo at Little Creek Cove. But, they visited at the campground a lot!  Here is Mike and Greg in front of our yurt.

Of course, lots of eating went on at the yurts!

Greg served up chicken and dumplings, and Grandma made a banana boat.

Grandma and Rachel making potato bowls.

Of course, you can't go to the Oregon Coast without playing on the beach!

Mike helping MJ fly his kite.

We visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium,

went crabbing,

and of course, ate at Mo's!  (That is a tradition!)

On the beach outside Grandpa and Grandma's condo, a pier had washed up on shore. The pier had broken off during the earthquake and tsunami in Japan over a year ago. It had floated across the ocean, and was now inbedded in the sand at Newport, Or. 

Here is some various pictures from the reunion.

I think Lizzie is reading Cosmo!

Next year, the reunion is back at the cabin!  We love family reunions!

Kate's Wedding

What a busy July we had! My neice, Katie Miner, got married on July 21st. But first, we had a bridal shower for her on July 7th.Another neice, Mikaela Rencher, made a cake especially for the shower.

Of course, she got lots of presents!

Alyse had to spill her spice in the "Name that spice" game!  (I think she had help from Emma!)

On the morning of the 21st, we got up early and drove to Idaho Falls. Kate and Jordan were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. Here they are coming out of the temple a married couple!

First kiss..........

There was a wedding lunch at Jordan's parents' house after the wedding.

The reception was held there later that night.

Grandma and Rachel played during the reception. 

A flash mob broke out in the middle of the reception!  First the girls:

Then the boys:  (yes, that is Lucas and MJ!)

Then Kate and Jordan took a turn!

Of course, you can't have a wedding without the decorating of the car!  Here's Rob doing his part!

Mike went back to the temple that night, and took a beautiful picture of the temple after dark.

We wish Kate and Jordan the best and love having him in our family!  He is perfect for Kate!

















The 4th of July

Greg and I spent the 4th of July this year at the cabin. Grandma and Grandpa, Julie, Rachel and her family, and Diane and her family were also there. Since I have discovered that I love to go hiking, I decided to hike to Boulder Lake.  The hike was pretty hard for me, but the end result was so worth it!

The hike starts at Boulder Reservoir.

The trail winds along the shore, and then heads up the mountain.  It was a beautiful day, blue sky, and just a few white fluffy clouds!  Perfect day for a hike. 
This picture is about half way up the trail.

When I was almost to the lake, I had to leave the trail and hike up the granite rock face. This is because there was still so much spring run off that it caused a waterfall to come over the rock and across the trail. 

That was the hardest part, but once I got to the top it was so worth it! Boulder Lake is absolutely gorgeous!



Sitting by the lake, enjoying the beauty, made me appreciate this beautiful world that we live in. I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who created this world for us to live on. And that we have such spectacular sights so close to where we live. It is truly amazing and very humbling.

I can't wait to take more hikes and see the beauty that we have around the cabin!

What a great 4th of July for me!