July

We had a wet and rainy 4th of July. The rain stopped long enough for the parade downtown. Brielle quite liked the excitement and the boys came home with grocery sacks full of candy and goods. The big firework show was postponed to the following week but we lit off a few of our own in the rain.
We also went camping in Spearfish canyon with our new toyhauler. Just as we arrived a big hailstorm hit and we took refuge under a tree. The toyhauler did well but our pickup received some damage. Both times we have camped in Spearfish there has been a big hailstorm (the first time even a tornado warning.) But we had a great time checking out the fish hatchery and playing in the creek and the playgrounds.
Later in the month we traveled to Martin's Cove. The boys enjoyed pulling handcarts and climbing Independence Rock. Brig climbed all the way to the top and back down before I could even get to the base of the rock pushing Brielle in the stroller. Jared's great great grandparents were married at Independence Rock on their way to Utah. And we both have ancestors that were a part of the rescue committee for the handcarts.

Swim lessons were a success! Both boys passed their levels!

Giant woolly mammoth at Casper college.

Lots of lazy crazy summer days with friends.

We toured one of the coal mines outside of the Gillette.

We also went to Billings for a weekend and checked out the zoo. And what's a trip to Billings without a ride on the Ferris wheel?

June

 June was full of fun adventures. We kicked off our summer with a week at Lake Blaine for the Weishaar family reunion. We had perfect weather the whole time and the lake practically to ourselves. Our new kayaks got a lot of use and the boys enjoyed a few tube rides, the jet skis (thanks Uncle Jorden!), and fishing in the canoe with uncle Gregg. Brielle got to meet a lot of the family for the first time and of course was the center of attention. Before we went to the lake we stopped in Shelby On the way home we stopped at Nana's for some tent camping and the rod races with Jake and Rachel and crew.
We've tried to keep the boys busy with activities, but mostly we've had a lazy summer so far. They got to do spanish camp together at the county high school, went to vacation bible school a few nights with their friend Carter, Brig did basketball camp, they are participating in the library's summer reading program, and this week they started swim lessons. The one thing we will miss about Gillette is the many activities available to kids. Jared was offered a job in his hometown of Shelby, MT that we couldn't refuse. We will be moving there in August and Jared will start work September 1st. We are looking forward to this good job opportunity and living close to family.

Our first trip to Keyhole Reservoir this summer

It was quite windy this day and Brielle didn't love that. Brig got brave this trip and jumped off the rocks behind Jared and into the lake.

Always lovin' on sis

I love it when she wrinkles up her nose and smiles

Tummy time in a poofy dress

She thinks she's big stuff sitting up in her chair

Brig is quite the ball handler

Angie and I had Benson on the tube with us for a safety precaution. The plan backfired however when we got back to the dock. Jonah pulled Benson off the tube and Jared accelerated the jet ski before we could get off!

baby girl really only likes to nap when she's being held. She sleeps great at night tho!

Jack Bridge, Welles (cousin), and Brielle

Science experiments at the library