RockinRRanch

Where'd his hand go?

There it its. He loves this game which he learned from Jacob (who learned it from Grandpa).

Looking at the floor map.

The boys ran ahead as we hike on the trail.

Being silly as we ate lunch.





Climbing over Daddy.

Adam is trying to lift this big rock.

Snack time.

He thougth he'd lay and eat.

Playing with the logs.

Wow, thats a big wheel. Nope, I can't make it move.

Jacob looking at him name in the fungus.

Playing with their sticks.

Looking for the squirrels.


Max really liked feeling the furs.

Adam loved looking at this raccoon.

Listening to the bird sounds.

Looking out the window at the water fountain.

Getting leaves to throw over the edge.

Taking the steps.

Sleepy boys.

Cousins.


Blowing out our candles. We had lots of help.

Presents.

Kenzie's in the tunnel.





Adam woke us up at 8am. Soon after that Max woke up. He saw the morning dew on the window and said, “did it rain, did it”. After getting the boys dressed they rode around on the ride on vehicles. After breakfast I got to open my presents from Jared and the boys. They got me season 3 and 4 of I Love Lucy – yeh!!! Of course both my cards had to do with my age and my getting old! Oh well, Jared will always be older:) We left at 9:15 for drinks and donuts. By 10:15 we were heading north to Hartwich Pines. We had to stop at KMart for some batteries. It was close to noon when we got there. Jacob and Max love climbing the step and also loved walking the long ramp, which leads to the visitor center. Inside there was a table furs from many different animals. We then walked thru a circular hallway which has many interactive displays. Jacob liked seeing the big floor map of our state. Daddy pointed out where Copper Harbor was on the map. I showed him where we live and where Nana and Papa live. Then he asked, “Where do Grandpa and Grandma live on here?” There was half of the state IN so I pointed out that they live it that State. The boys had fun pushing the buttons to hear the different bird sounds and seeing the birds in the tree. Then they ran over to turn the big wheel that spins the big circular saw. Daddy (Uncle Jared) ripped them each off a brown piece of paper from a large wheel of paper. Then we headed outdoors to take a hike thru the woods. Jacob and Max ran ahead excitedly. We hiked the Old Growth Forest Trail. There area many beautiful and very tall trees. The weather was sunny and low 50's. After a while Max needed a brake from walking so Adam got to walk while Max rode in the stroller. We stopped at the picnic area to eat lunch and then took the boys to play at the playground. When we started back on the trail Jared and I ran to race the boys. Jacob shouted, “I am in control” as he tried to catch up to Max. We stopped at a big rock and took a break. The boys ate a snack. Adam tried several times to lift the big rock. From there we hiked to a logging museum. Walked thru the buildings and then went over to see the big logging wheels. Then we hiked up a big hill to a log cabin church, which was built in 1951. Both Jacob and Max ran up the hill leading to the church. All three boys liked walking around in the dark, echoic church. On the hike back we found a dead tree with artist fungus growing on it. The boys liked watching us draw their names in the fungus. Jacob and Max liked pushing the leaves with their sticks as we walked. Back at the visitor center we took another look at all the furs and then walked thru the circular hallway again. We also walked thru the gift shop. Around 3:30 we headed home. As we were putting the boys in their car seats I was talking to Max and referring to myself as “Aunt Meme”(also what Jacob calls Mel). Jacob said, “Are you Meme? not to me”. After a snack in the car it wasn’t long before all three boys were asleep. Jacob woke up shortly before we arrived home around 4:45. Adam and Max woke up when we opened the van doors. Adam begged to see the “chit-tins, please”. Jacob carried the basket as we walked to the coop. He collected the eggs and let Max put on in the basket. Max threw it in the basket and broke it. Jacob didn’t want him to collect any more. Adam and Max sat on the tractors to “drive”. Our neighbor stopped by and bought 3dozen eggs. Back inside the boys helped me make an angel food cake. Then Jared made dinner, my favorite chicken teriyaki and rice. The boys liked hiding on me at the end of the hallway. The put a few trucks in front of them as they lay on the floor. Jacob brought me a "birthday surprise". He set this pretend surprise on the floor and wanted me to help him open it. Then he said, "its Lucy!" Max has sang the Happy Birthday song to me several times today. Soon after dinner Vikki and her family arrived. Then Mom, Dad, Grandpa, and Hailey got here. The kids had fun playing together. Mom made cake and brownies, and brought ice cream. The kids helped us blow out the candles and open presents. I tried out my new vacuum right away. Kenzie and Uncle Jared walked around wearing the tunnel and getting the kids laughing. Max got scared and cuddled next to Nana. We got the boys in pj’s around 8:30 and then started their bedime routines. They were in bed by 9pm. Jacob still wasn’t asleep at 9:30 when Vikki and her family left. We put in Lucy and he asked if he could watch it with us. He cuddled on the couch for a couple episodes and then we tucked him back in bed. Jacob came back out to say he had to go potty. He saw I was drinking Gatorade (which I don’t usually drink) and asked “are you sick?” It’s in the fridge from when Jared was sick. Jared and I stayed up to watch a few more episodes of I Love Lucy. It was a wonderful 31st birthdday!