Country Village

When we got to Country Village, the ducks were ready for us! Auntie Terry joined us in feeding the ducks. Good thing we brought lots of bread! We had fun trying to get the bread to the baby ducks. Most of the time they just swam in the opposite direction so they could avoid the stampede of ducks going after the bread.
Elena had fun riding the purple spring horse and purple merry-go-round horse. She wasn't too upset about there not being a blue one...
Thank goodness Auntie Terry was there to keep the merry-go-round going again and again and again!Elena had lots of fun, and since we didn't see any bunnies or get to ride the train, we'll be going back again this summer.

Luke's visit part 7 - Campfire!

Luke and Elena had a great time helping with the fire.
And roasting marshmallows!
And eating the marshmallows!
We miss you Luke and hope to see you again real soon!

Luke's visit part 6 - petting farm

Just outside of Leavenworth there is a fruit stand and petting zoo. Elena loved all the little ponies! For a $1, we bought a bag of carrots to feed the animals. All the animals know people = food and rushed the fence as we approached. The brown pony tried to get our attention by banging its hoof on the fence. It was more scary than cute. Elena thought it was loud and naughty for scaring the other ponies away.
How cute are these little horse riders!?!
This place was just a 3-year-old's dream - bee swings, tiny shopping carts for the fruit stand, wooden cutouts to peek through, and taffy samples!
There was also a cow train ride, but it wasn't running when we went. But it's something to look forward to next time!

Luke's visit part 5 - to the River House

Auntie was nice enough to give us a ride to the River House. Elena was in heaven because Pit, Maven, and Rainey were all in the car too. Elena was nice enough to share her Ariel sunglasses with Pit.
We went swimming at the community pool with Luke and afterwards played at the playground. This teeter-totter was fun, but Elena preferred the spring pony.
And of course a trip to the River House means mushrooming. Elena did reach her goal of finding a big big mushroom and a little baby mushroom. Both of which she enjoyed eating (along with everybody else's find...).
The mosquitoes were horrible in the woods and no matter how much bug spray we used, everyone got a bite or two. Poor Elena had to go potty in the forest and those fast bugs got her right on the bum!

Elena riding the blue pony, Jester

This isn't the video of Elena falling off the pony. If you want to see that, you'll have to make a special request...

Luke's visit part 4 - Pony rides

Wheee! Pony rides!!! Elena was so excited to use her gift certificate at Pony Paradise Rides.It was great! Elena rode a pony with a blue tail and blanket named Jester. Luke rode a little pony with a red blanket named Merlin.
And Aubrie rode a pony with a purple mane and blanket named Princess Fiona.
Elena had the biggest smile for the ride. She couldn't get it off her face (even when she fell off Jester)!
She is such a good little horseman/girl and we were all super proud of her for getting right back on that pony she fell off of and finishing the ride with a huge smile!
She loved it so much she didn't want to get out of the saddle or leave the pony barn. But by taking Luke to Grandma's house afterwards, the day's fun could just keep going!

Luke's visit part 3 - Education Center

What a cute pair! And they have become such good buddies. It helps that we visited Luke at his home February. Plus, Elena and Luke have been mailing each other suprises in the mail between visits.

After swimming lessons we went to the education center at Rattlesnake Lake.
We knew Luke would love it because there are balls everywhere! Elena and Luke had fun trying to catch the ones sent through the tubes.
It was also an opportunity to push buttons at a computer.
And I think they're calling their Grandma's here. Or maybe just talking to each other? Who knows... little kids can be silly.

Luke's visit part 2 - Swimming Lessons

Luke was able to join Elena one day for swim lessons. Even though arrangements were made the day before, it was a suprise to Teacher Patty! But Teacher Patty is great and of course welcomed Luke to her class. Aiden was grateful to have another boy in the class... The pool has a new platform so the little kids don't have to hold on to the wall all the time. This is especially great for the shorter kids (not Elena who is an Amazon).
Teacher Patty puts little fish and rings on the platform so the kids can practice reaching under water, or putting their face in the water. This gives them something to do while she works on their individual back floats. Later in the week Luke and Elena got to go to the drop-in parent-tot swim at the pool. Elena loved it when Mommy took her to the deep end on the marshmallow stick!

Luke's visit part 1

Elena's cousin Luke came to visit her from California. He brought his daddy and mommy too.Elena took Luke to art class where they made Father's Day gifts. They decorated paper ties (better than getting a real tie!) and made noodle medals for their #1 DADS.
Of course Elena's was purple and blue. Luke's mom (Auntie Jean) helps make sure the pom poms stick.
Elena loved loved loved having Luke visit! They had fun just running around the house, but we had to include Luke in some of Elena's favorite activities.

backed up

No, we're not referencing bowel issues... Actually, Elena has become quite the potty pro when it comes to number2.

Backed up as in picture overload which need to get on this blog ASAP so people will stop asking for updates. You know who you are and I hope the upcoming gajillion posts will make you happy.

There will be posts about Luke's visit, art class, swim lessons, pony rides, the interpretive center, mushroom hunting, Country Village, and whatever other cute pictures and movies I can find to put up here.

Here's Elena with sour cream all over her face during lunch at a Mexican restaurant with Luke.