Why is summertime so busy?

First...a few recital pictures from dance. :)

hip-hop

I'm pretty sure she's doing the "whip" in this picture. :) 

ballet

little twins

I love when he passes out in the car. So sweet.

Walker survived a week of golf camp. His first camp to attend without crying. YAY! Bud took Walker to play at the PGA Store near our house. They had so much fun! He took these pictures to share with us.

The only downside to golf camp was that it messed with his baseball swing. Baseball season is not over yet! But he corrected it and he's all good now. I think we just need to separate the sports a bit!

Yesterday, we spent some time at Pinstack for a birthday party. I think we were there for three solid hours. I was ready to GO after that amount of time. However, Lainey had a great time and Walker and his buddies had a good time (he invited Jase from school and then Evan was there...and Enzo was gracious enough to hang out with them while I went back and forth between Lainey's party and the arcade).

Walker and Evan, with Enzo supervising

After what seems like several weeks of going, going, going...we enjoyed some downtime at home this morning. I slept till 8:00 a.m., Walker was up at 8:15 a.m., and Lainey slept till almost 10:00 a.m. Exhaustion took its toll on the Harris family. Summer is a fun. Lots of fun to be had and memories to be made. Lainey is still dancing almost every single day to prepare for Nationals (we leave in a week! yikes!) and Walker still has baseball games...but downtime is essential for this family! Gotta grab it when we can...and if it means being in pajamas till noon, then we will do it. :)

Hope everyone's summer is going well!

Walker and his BIKE

Walker figured it out. He can ride a bike. Narrow sidewalks are tricky, but wide sidewalks work well. 

He was so pleased with himself!

This is a "storm trooper" helmet. I have no idea why Walker felt driven to create this as he knows nothing about the Star Wars characters. I think he may have gotten the idea from another kid in the neighborhood...but I really don't know. So funny. 

We're so proud of you, Walker! Just in time for those 100+ degree days... ;)

Colorado, Day Seven and Eight

I think we've visited the Wildlife Park outside of Pagosa Springs every year since Lainey was little. Like toddler-sized little. Anyway, it's a fun tradition that we just can't quit. Every year, the ducks, bunnies, and cats are a big hit...you know, things we don't see on a daily basis. Ha! This year the park had some new animals! So that's always fun.

sweet Eva...talking to the ducks

Princess the bear

Walker, still talking to the ducks

We were fortunate enough to visit the park during feeding time. We saw the elk up close...I've never seen an elk up close before. Anyway, this one was losing its winter coat and growing his new antlers!

the elk with his salad bowl

And this is a yak! This was the first time I'd seen a yak up close. He was funny; he was really eager to eat his food. An interesting creature, for sure. 

the sweet girls...headed to feed the goats

sweet (second) cousins...

Eva was determined to keep up with the big kids.

a turtle eating his salad (these animals eat lots of salad)

Marley the pig

crazy goat eating out of Lucie's hand

Eva and Lucie, feeding the goat

a tiny Lucie hand

Lainey's hand

Walker's hand

Lainey, again

Eva had some strong opinions about how she wanted to feed the goats versus how we wanted her to feed the goats.

three cousins in a hammock

Lainey. Always has a stuffed animal in her hands.

the boys swinging high, wrapped up like a burrito

introducing cousin Tom (green shorts) to the greatness of the Big Wheels

Walker

Walker, waiting for Tom

Tom nearly ran over me. It was all good, though.

The boys took a bathroom break, as only boys can do.

These two have so much fun together. It was hard to leave Colorado this year...partially because it was a short trip, we also left Emmy and Tuck, and we were sad that we left our cousins. It was hard! Both kids shed lots of tears, especially Walker. Thanks for a wonderful, memorable visit, Mom and Dad. And to my cousins and their cousins and my aunt and uncle...I'm so grateful we got the opportunity to make memories together in Colorado! Like the good ole days! :) 

On the way to the airport Sunday morning, we saw a real cattle drive! Along a U.S. highway! Who does that?

lots of mamas and babies

 the second group

I'm glad we got to experience this! It was so random but so neat - definitely a first for all of us.