McCall, October 15

So the weather has definitely turned since the last trek to McCall in September.  It was supposed to rain this weekend.  Julia and I opted to stay home where we could also stay warm!  It's just amazing to think how far the lake has receded in just three weeks' time.

The best part about being in McCall when the weather is not so warm?  Cable!!!  

Spongebob Squarepants on TV!!

McCall September 24

Once again, we were in luck with our timing.  The weather was absolutely beautiful this weekend.  It was sunny and warm.  Not quite as warm as it was two weeks prior, but stunning, nonetheless.

The kids played on the beach while daddy unloaded the car.  The best part about coming later and later in September is that there is nearly twice as much beach to play in as there was a month ago.

How far can you walk into the water?

James took a turn with the camera while dad made some super silly faces!

Jacob playing the pumper organ.

James had been wiggling a loose tooth for more than a month.  Finally, it fell out on Sunday morning, just before breakfast.  He was so happy!

McCall September 10

This was truly a glorious weekend in McCall.  I've always said that September is the best time to be in McCall--the weather is usually warm and sunny and the best part is that the beach is quiet!  When we arrived, the thermometer was registering in the 80's.  It was beautiful and sunny!

We enjoyed Friday's dinner on the deck as the sun was just beginning to set for the evening.

I made special peanut butter cups for dessert and served them on little plates.  For some reason, Julia insisted on holding her plate the entire time she was eating.  It was so funny!!

James watching the sun set while eating his dessert.

I thought this photo was too cute to not post.  Julia holding Jacob's cat, Orangey, while watching the boys playing on the dock.

Jacob, enjoying some daddy time on the dock.

Who wouldn't want to be right here?

Bed time!!  James has started sleeping on the top bunk.  Julia is still in the playpen, but not for long.  By morning, she came bounding into the bedroom as if to say "See, I told you I shouldn't be confined in that little crib!!"

James played his piano assignments on the pumper organ.  He was so happy to be able to play something on the organ, he didn't care that it was an assignment!

So, if you look really carefully in the center of this picture, you'll see a little black blob.  That "blob" just happens to be a black bear!!!  We visited the fish hatchery on Saturday afternoon.  We had gone through the inside and were just finishing with the outside raceways, when people came running out of the building saying, "Did you see it?"  When we asked what "it" was, they said "a bear!!!"  Shocked and excited at the same time, we strained our eyes to try to see the black bear.  Fortunately, the bear had no idea he was so close to actual people.

You can see the bear a little better in this picture (top right hand corner).  I haven't figured out how to crop photos on our iMac yet.  When I do, I'll repost some of these pictures.

James striking his "homeboy" pose.

James has been studying bugs in school and happened to find a grasshopper.

A truly rare photo of mommy in a bathing suit!

I LOVE this picture!

The early bird may get the worm, but the early mommy gets the deer pics!  There was a small dear family camped out near the cabin.

Sunday's bike ride through Ponderosa State Park.  What a view!

Good times in McCall

playing the pumper organ at the cabin

We went up to McCall over the weekend.  The weather was gorgeous!!!!  I love September in McCall--the tourists are all gone and it's mostly just the locals.  Saturday, there were a few folks on the beach, but Sunday, the beach was completely deserted!!!  It was so quiet and warm (at least it was warm in the afternoon).  My kids ended up being beach bums.



beach bum Julia!

Saturday morning, I made oatmeal for breakfast.  Unfortunately, the pot I used was a nonstick pot and the coating was flaking off everywhere, including into our oatmeal.  Consequently, both the pot and the oatmeal went in the trash.  I made a quick run to Paul's for cereal and all was good again.  After a long bike ride and some fun on the beach, we had dinner.  The TV reception was less than desirable (no cable and no HD converter box), but we did get ABC.  So we got to watch the Bronco game on Saturday night.  

Working hard on the beach!!