Independance Day Weekend 2005

Saturday Hike to Silver Falls State Park
The four of us hiked about 2.5 miles--much of it uphill along the Mapleridge Trail--on a loop around South Falls and Lower South Falls. We arrived to the park early, so we enjoyed most of the hike in solitude. Aaron happily walked the entire distance--he even raced and beat me up several of the switchbacks near the end--and Meg carried Edward the whole way--what a bunch of dedicated troopers.

This year marked the 6th annual independence day hike (all of which have been in Oregon). The list so far includes:

Monday Activities in Oak Hills
We spent the afternoon with the Oak Hills Ward at the Oak Hills Elementary school for the ward's annual fourth of July picnic activity. Meg was in charge of pinatas for the primary, so I snuck Aaron in with the sunbeams group and let him play with them in their activities so I could care for Edward.

That evening we swam in the Ball's heated pool and ate more BBQ'd food. Aaron especially enjoyed swimming in the pool wearing a kiddie-lifevest. He seemed comfortable and confident, quite a bit more than he has in the past, where he has been reluctant to get his face wet.

After the party at the Ball's, Aaron and Meg walked to the huge fireworks show at the center of Oak Hills, while Michael and Edward went home to sleep.

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