Built to Last

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Duersch Family Reunion 2012: Peacock Ranch, Driggs, Idaho

This year's Duersch family reunion was a fun departure from the norm. Paul's sister Laurette, her husband Jeff, and their family planned our trip, which took us to Idaho, Wyoming, and finally Utah. We stayed at the Peacock Ranch, which offered us this lovely view from our bedroom window:

The kids had a great time roaming the place. We spent some time our first full day there, before most of the family had arrived, checking things out and enjoying time outside.

Grandpa is always a great walking companion. He possesses endless amounts of information about what there is to discover.

We walked down the road to visit some horses, which Rhett and Lucy both enjoyed once they warmed up to them.

(Love this handsome face.)

Duersch Family Reunion 2012: Thor and Grandpa Tour the Ranch

Can you tell which one is the super hero?

That was a trick question. They both are.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Some Lucy Cuteness

This little girl loves to help herself!

We took a trip down to the new Cabela's store in Tulalip to look for hiking boots for me. The kids all loved the animals on display, but Lucy screamed with excitement! She could be heard way across the store.

(This brother loves his sister a whole lot.)

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Swimming Lessons!

The boys had swimming lessons at the Bellingham Athletic Club this summer. Benjamin did so much better than last year! It was a relief to seem him enjoying his swimming so much (where last year he was so afraid). The funny thing is that this year Benjamin and Rhett were in the lowest class--same one Benjamin was in last year with Payton Katschke and other 4-year-old boys--but this time they had two little two-year-old girls for classmates! They didn't seem to care, but it was funny to watch.

Look! There's Grandma Key! I think she suspected I was taking her picture. But at least we have evidence of her visit!

Lucy was a trooper through all the lessons. Maybe next year she can have a turn swimming too.

Their teacher was a 21-year-old, tattoo-covered guy who hardly cracked a smile or showed any enthusiasm or emotion during the first few lessons. You'd think someone teaching small children to swim would be a little more animated... Anyway, I think he warmed up to them in the end because they did make him almost smile a few times!

Grandma Key Came to Town...

...but we hardly took any pictures!

We went to the aquarium one day, but this is all I have. Benjamin checking out the beluga whale; Lucy eating a snack (which only temporarily stopped the fussing) while we waited for the beluga whale show; alligator-type creatures.