A lot of highlights...but one thing BUGS!

We've had such a fun time with family lately. The best part of summer is having no schedule and lots of loved ones close by.

On Saturday evening we drove to my Brother's house for the night in anticipation for the baby blessing of their new little boy Deacon. It was a nice drive in which we past through several summer thunderstorms along the way.

Accompanying those storms were some of the most beautiful rainbows ever!

Little Deac (that's what he likes to be called;) is such a darling boy and it made my heart ache for a baby as well. Good thing I only have a few more months to wait!

What do you think? If Jessica can be as mesmerized with her brother as much as she was with this little darling then I'm sure she will have no probably adjusting to being a "big girl."

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Tuesday afternoon John and I took the kids out to Waterton for a hike into Crandell lake. John's sister and her two boys joined us and it was such a nice afternoon. The hike into Crandell is a fairly simple hike (just a couple of KM's) yet I have to admit it was pretty much as much as I could handle. In my defense, I am carrying a 24 week old fetus on my front AND a two year old on my back!

The trail consisted of some of the most beautiful wildflowers and mountain scenery ever. John's sister Sarah knew what so many of the flowers were called. It was as if we had our own tour guide teaching us little facts about each plant.

After a few minutes, even Jessica could easily identify Bear Grass without any problem.

Sam and Abby both insisted on carrying their own backpacks and they kept pace with their two cousins impeccably.

We got to the lake around dinner time, had a picnic and then spent the next couple of hours fishing. To all of our surprise and delight John caught a couple as well as some of the kids! The fish were biting!!!

Abby was particularly proud of her "very first catch." In fact she was determined to bring it home and she did. She held that stinky little bag of fish the whole time. Ugh.

It was a wonderful evening in Waterton. Almost perfect in fact.

Unfortunately some time early this afternoon I discovered a one of these nasty critters fastened to the base of Jessicas neck!

I didn't know much about TICKS, but I was pretty sure that's what we were dealing with. I should have freaked out a little less and been sure to remove it carefully, but that's in hindsight.

By dinner time tonight Jess was covered from head to toe in a bright red flaming rash. After a few hours at the emerge we are still uncertain as to what is wrong. Perhaps she's just experience a reaction to the bite itself. If she developes a fever then we will know it is a more serious side effect.

Stupid Tick.

We'll spend the next couple of days watching her carefully.

....and looking forward to the next adventure with family or friends.

Bug free...we hope