We had another awesome time at the river last summer (I’m so behind on this one).

Of course, we enjoyed taking in the usual sights from the deck.

We love the deer in the mornings.

We spent plenty of time in the shallow water.

We love chillin’ on the deck.

The kids thought it was pretty funny playing ping pong with Daddy.

We had great friends join us in our adventures.

We played in the shallow water.  The moms and big kids drove upstream and floated back down.  It was very exciting!  There were moments of danger, exploration, and relaxation.

The big boys went fishing with the dads in the evening.  I went for a walk with my little guy to catch up with them.  We didn’t find them, but saw frogs, bats, a great blue heron, and other critters that come out at dusk.

One day, the dads took all the boys for a float down the river, and the girls went shopping in town.  It was great to sit with an Aztec mocha and catch up.

We had a nice picnic at a local winery, where the kids could feed goats.

We put in some time learning about the local animals.  These soon-to-be second graders loved it!

The guys played horseshoes back at the house as the sun went down.

We spent evenings playing board games and reading together.

We took the kids to the local beach for the first time.  We loved it and will have to go back.

One afternoon, my three year old came running to me and said my seven year old was stuck in the blackberry bushes.  I retrieved him, as he still reached for more berries.

We had a nice evening of fishing, for the boys’ first time.  My youngest son adorably toted the Mickey Mouse fishing rod Daddy is pictured on the wall carrying when he was very small.

My seven year old caught his first fish!  I will always treasure his pure happiness in that moment.

It was hard to say good-bye.

While driving away, my three year old said we had to go back because he had the hiccups.  I know, Buddy.  I know.