Pierce (Porter) Family Cabin '11

The tradition of spending a weekend at the Pierce family cabin carried on this summer. Really, it's the Porter family cabin. Confused? Porter is named after his Grandma's family...last name Porter. Now a first name Porter.

We went with the Davises and the Pierces. We've all been friends since our oldest were babies and have been together through babies, adoptions, moves, school, new jobs, and all sorts of other adventures.

These kids are all so funny together. They've known each other for so long and played together so much that they just fall right into rhythm. There's no bickering, no fighting, no whining. It's lovely really. (Except for Keeler and Beckett. We'll talk/laugh about that in a minute.)

Silly kids.

Really Jude is the funniest. A baby who doesn't mind his sister's grubby fishing hands in his mouth assisting in his "silly face". Love it.

Serious kids.
Fishing families.
The cabin is in a gated mountain community with a (stocked) fishing pond and a swimming pool. Yep, it's amazing.

Daddy helping the kids fish.

Porter was the big winner of the trip. He actually caught something. Too bad it was a duck. A really freaked out quacking duck with a whole gaggle of freaking out duck friends.

Anderson kids. Day 3.

Another "coulda been an engagement photo" photo.

No trip to the cabin is complete without s'mores.

Dang "no burn" thing almost killed our buzz. Fortunately, you can just microwave those new giant marshmallows and it's almost as good. Especially once Spencer figured out that it was a microwave/convection oven and quite trying to convect things and started microwaving them instead.

Boy adventures involving lots of sticks, hiking, horseshoes, and Spiderman Rock.

I still don't know what that is/where that is but they went there. Love it when you can tell the kids that they "have to stay within shouting distance".

The girls (Isabel and Laila) were so tired that they put THEMSELVES down for a nap. So funny. We found them all spooned up on the top bunk together like this. 30 minute catnap later and they were ready to rock again.

The property has a stream running through it with a sandy beach. Every trip there involves some sort of reconfiguration of the water flow and building of a waterfall. This one was no exception.

Melissa is truly one of the craftiest and artsiest (yes, it's a word) people that I know. She brought all the supplies and the kids got to tie-dye t-shirts. They've done this together a few times and love it every time. Colorado kids right?

Becket and Keeler in a rare moment of peace.

Laila, Isabel and Porter checking out a caterpillar.

There was so much adventure, bug-catching, hiking, and exploring on this trip. Perfect.

The two year old duo playing in the stream. Wait for it....

Early morning braiding and water play.

We could barely get the kids to eat breakfast before they were out the door playing outside.

And the truth finally comes out.

This would be how these two nuts spent most of the first day of the trip. Keeler shrieking because Beckett is doing something totally benign (say....breathing) or silly (say...pouring water on Keeler's already wet feet). Oh boy. One of our goals in speech therapy has been to help Keeler defend/express himself when he feels threatened by other kids (when playing or at daycare etc.). Let's just say that we had tons of practice on this trip. Turns out, he feels threatened quite often. Like every 5 seconds sometimes. Don't worry grandparents, we've made big strides. Thankfully, Beckett is still willing to be his BFF despite his drama and hystrionics. :) (They are now, officially, in friend love.)

Sage managed to capture one of my favorite "Keeler's thinking" faces.

We call this one, "Proof that Spencer is an Anderson".

(We might also call it "pervy/weird uncle" but only because of the weird stance he's assumed. I mean really.)

Back Pack Nap

Top of the hike. Looking over Colorado Springs. Dads hiked together, kids hiked together, and moms lollygagged behind and talked forever. We feel so blessed to have such amazing friends to share our lives with.

Ready to hike in front of the semi-creepy sign.

Sage was Awesome Mom (as usual) and brought each of the kids a journal and a fun pen so they could write about their trip and take notes on their hike. There was a little misadventure when Porter left his along the trail...and didn't notice for about a mile but, otherwise, they were the best idea ever.

Colorado dads.

Love a man who will rock an Ergo. Love those dang Ergos. Like, really love them. Like, kind of obsessed with them. Best baby carrier ever.

Hiking with Daddy. Keeler is fond of yelling "Back Pack!! Kee'er back pack!". As in, "Put me on your back in the Ergo and hike off into the sunset because that thing is awesome. And give me a stick to distract me or I will poke you in the ears and repeatedly steal your hat."

Isabel on her own private island. Nevermind that it wasn't actually an island. She was still fond of calling it that. And of acting out a variety of scenes from books while over there.

A little shot of the scenery around the cabin. Dirt roads, mountains, and trees. So beautiful.