Enjoying August....

Last week Kayleigh came running into the house to tell me to get my camera...."Mom, you need to come outside and see the moths we found."

How cool is that? They were mating and were perfectly still so we could enjoy their beauty.

While I was away last week a couple of my sunflowers fell over but didn't break off. They've started growing up towards the sun!

On Friday my violin student and her sister (who plays piano) invited us to join them for a home recital. Their grandparents (who fund their musical studies) were in town visiting and we had a nice little program. I think Sydney and Kayleigh's grandparents should help fund their musical studies...we are REALLY behind on paying their violin teacher.

On Saturday we decided to hike the highest and hardest hike in the Gorge...Mt. Defiance. We figured we would get to the summit - it's steep and 6 miles one way - but we decided to go as far as we could.

Very shortly after we started, Kevin saw a sign and was sure it was the shortcut (even though it had a different trail name) and so we headed up. It was steep and hard and eventually we came to a lookout with these views....

We ended up finding the real trail after a 1-2 mile detour and hiked quite a ways. In order to save our legs and butts, we took an easier way down and got to enjoy these lovely waterfalls.

Sydney spotted this very cool fungus growing...we've never seen anything like it before.

After the hike, we headed to Hood River for pizza and then went to a sunflower farm. I'll save those pics for the next post because I took lots and lots. I guess I'll show you one right now as a teaser...