Norah starts photography

 Today we went to Arboretum for their neighborhood event. Norah requested to take photos with my DSLR camera. 

Here is a photo she took of me and also one I took of her.

Soccer photos and watching fireflies

 

First family arboretum visit since you know when. :-)

 

Norah is smart

 Norah: Mommy, Why am I so smart?

Me: Could you think of some reasons?

Norah: One, I am older and have more practice. I am the third oldest in my class. Two, I have an older brother. Most of my classmates don't. My brother taught me a lot of things.

Me thinking: I am convinced!

12 Hours, 4 people, 3 stitches and...1 engine installed!

 Grandma and Grandpa came down today to help with installing Ella's engine.  It was a long day, but we got then engine in at last.

Free advice - don't drop a big wrench on your chin :-)

Jackson's three wishes

We had this conversation a few weeks ago. 

Jackson: Would you rather be a shape-shifter or a time-traveler?

Me: Shape-shifter since time travel creates all the confusion questions.

Jackson: Yeah, the grandfather paradox!

Me: How did ..? Could you explain to us?

Jackson went on to explain the paradox.

Then he said his three wishes: 1. Be a shape-shifter 2. Has infinity amount of money 3. Has the power to command nature. 

Even we don't know what is a 7-year old norm, his vocabulary and ideas never ceases to amaze us. 

Possum Kingdom Easter 2021

 We had a great time camping at Possum Kingdom State park this Easter weekend. On our way there, Will told us the story of Bill, Jenny and Grandma, Grandpa's outing to Possum Kingdom in the 70es. Jackson summarized the keywords as 30 mile/hour wind and smooshed fry chicken. Later he commented that our trip had one thing in common with Grandparents' trip -- the wind! 

Our campsite was one of the primitive sites. It was the last one left for the park but we liked the location nevertheless. We had to hike 300 yards from the car to our site (8) and liked the remoteness of the place. However, it was windy both days we were there. We recommend site 1,2,10 for more protection from the wind and more private. 

We were located steps away from one of the only two hiking trails in the park. Climbing the hills in the backyard made up big part of kids' entertainment. We tried fishing but the water near the campgrounds is very shallow and not a good fishing place. People got lots of fish near the dock but it's a hike for us.

We rented a pontoon boat to check out Hell's Gate on Sunday morning. It was nice to be on the water and check out the famous site. Water is clear and deep; houses are big and fancy. Without water activities, we concluded 3 hours on a boat was the limit for our two kids. 

I brought my camera and remote to the trip so we got a couple of nice family portraits. 

We enjoyed this family camping trip and Norah rated this trip infinity thumbs up!

Eating breakfast

Under the starry night

Climbing in the backyard

View from the hilltop - our tent and state park and beyond

Our family portrait -- Love backlit photos!

Our kids

Captain Jack 

Captain Norah 

Hell's Gate

Mandatory S'more

Will paddling against 25 mile/hour wind