Another blast

of weekend photos.

Some of my friends are trying to lose some weight, so they started a Biggest Loser contest amongst themselves. I'm not sure how it all works but I do know that two of them kicked off the contest by going on a hike on Saturday morning. Another friend and I joined them. We followed this Little Billy Goat up the trail, huffing and puffing behind her. My excuse was that I had brought Baby Doll along, who merrily slept in the backpack on the way up and fussed in my arms on the way down. :) Next time she stays home.We hiked up in the early morning, thru meadows of blooming wildflowers. The fresh morning mountain air was so wonderful!!Our destination was a couple of lakes a few miles down the trail. We rested at the top, eating our snacks and dipping our toes into one of nature's "spas". It's amazing how rejuvenating mountain lakes can be!!

I was quite impressed with my husband. I called him on my way home to see what he was up to and he was just on his way back down from a hike with all the rest of the kids. Quite ambitious!

Sunday dawned bright, sunny and hot. A perfect day for the beach. I pretty much had to drag the Husband there, but he was a good sport about it. He's just not a beachy type of person.This little girl spent way more time digging thru the food bag than she spent in the water. Next time we'll have to leave the snacks in the car or at home. She was in her glory though!I hung out with the two littlest girls in a shady grove of trees while we waited for our friends to show up. The older kids splashed in the water under the watchful eyes of Daddy.When she paused from perusing the "snack bar" she went into the water to splash for a bit, giggling with glee. Never mind, she didn't have suit on. Didn't bother her in the least.

As soon as we got to the beach, the weather turned cloudy and a bit windy. Perfect for us who didn't swim but a bit on the chilly side for the swimmers. The older kids smartened up and would run up a nearby hill, run down and go right into the water. It kept them busy for a good long while.

Side note: I learned the "true" meaning of being domesticated while sitting on the beach yesterday. According to my husband, you have to do three things to be considered domesticated.

1. Bake pies.
2. Bake bread.
3. Do any sort of canning. The more the better.

All the rest of baking and cooking is just a bonus. (he said this with a big cheese on his face.)

I just chuckled at him because it was just another subtle hint that he would love it if I did those three things for him. He's been after me for years to bake him bread and pies but it's just not my thing. My friend gave me a recipe yesterday for fresh peach and raspberry pie so I just might dust off the rolling pin and give it another shot.

As for the bread...ugh...I just don't have very good luck with it. I'll just have to brainstorm a way to get him to do it. He's way better at that type of thing than I am.

Now it's off to tackle the Monday Morning Mess.