San Francisco Peaks

In our last few weeks we are trying to visit all our favorite places in northern Arizona. Our mountains, called the San Francisco Peaks are quite beautiful.

The meadow was covered in wild flowers.

These beautiful orange butterflies (I actually think they are some kind of moth) were all over.

While passing through the meadow, Charlotte was talking about wanting to see a dear. I told her that we often see deer on the mountain road, but I've never seen one up this high. Then Olivia says "there's one" and points to the side. Sure enough a young buck was trotting though the meadow-he was too fast for a picture. It was funny.  

View from the top. Actually we are only about half way up the mountain, where the ski lodge parking lot is. The full mountain reaches 14,000 feet.  I've hiked it several times, once while pregnant. Good old Charlie even made it to the summit once with me. It is a lovely hike. I will miss seeing this mountain in the backdrop each day.

Happy Independence Day!

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The girls were pretty cute decked out in their red, white and blue!

Livy sure thinks she is funny. 

For the first time in 12 years we had a cloudy rainy 4th of July. It was great. Usually,  the 90 minute parade is a bit miserable because of the heat. We really enjoyed it this year. 

Hopi kids in their native costumes. I loved the black and white  striped kid. 

One of the few real floats-it was so cute. 

Miniature militants-isn't that cute! (The crowed really cheered these guys. I'm not sure I agree with little boys with toy riffles-but you had to admit the mini-jeep was super cool.)

What's a parade without some cotton candy-boy was she sticky. 

Even Finn was feeling patriotic. 

Ahh, isn't he sweet. 

This picture is downright freaky! Scott was tossing him a chunk of bread.  It was a fun day. After the parade we went and saw Brave. We fired up the grill for dinner and then took the girls to the park.
Happy 4th. 

Naughty Dog

Finn is smiling because he won the couch battle. He's not supposed to be up there, but I figure he's already got the couch all hairy so he might as well stay. Naughty Dog.