Down By the River

From the Punxie Camp, we moved on to Lock Haven for several days of quality time with Ga and Pappaw. While we hoped our trip to the mountains of central PA would provide a respite from the fierce summer heat of North Carolina, we found the north is dealing with the heat wave, too. So there's no break for those weary of the heat. Even worse...no AC! 

But Lock Haven does offer the Susquehanna River where Kate's parents keep a dock right on the water, perfect for quick dips to break the heat of those brutal afternoons. 

Clara was coming off swim lessons in Raleigh, plenty of time in the pond at Camp, and now had a lot of confidence to bring to swimming in the river. She took great glee in jumping from the dock to Pappaw's outstretched arms, repeating the trick over and over and over again. She also showed off her doggy paddle and various other strokes as she moved up and down the river with nothing more than a life vest for buoyance. 

Clara's First Fish!

After the storms past and most of the family moved on, we stayed an extra night at Camp with Jed and Shayna and their three kids. The weather improved, and we spent a lot of time around the pond. 

On Sunday night, Jed broke out the fishing pole and gave each child a chance to practice some casting and reeling. It was Clara's first time fishing, and check out the video to see her record-setting catch.

McKnight Family Reunion and Miscellaneous Pics

Here are some miscellaneous pictures of camp activities from our visit along with some shots from the McKnight Family Reunion of 2012...

The Great McKnight Camp Flood of 2012

Our time at Camp got interesting this year as heavy storms moved through central PA, taking out our power for nearly 24 hours (not so pleasant when you rely on electricity to power the pump that supplies water for such things as flushing toilets and keeping faucets flowing) and bringing torrential rain. The geezers say they haven't seen that much rain in all of Camp's long history.

Well, the Lodge and main areas for cavorting are located at the base of several steep hills, meaning that heavy rain brings water flooding into the basin. It's usually caught by the many drainage pipes, diverted into the pond and then onto the streams. But the system was swamped with all this water, so much so that the pond was breached. Too much water for its six inch drainage pipe. So, as water is prone to do, it found its way over the sides to keep working downhill.

Most of the flooding happened during the reunion activities. And while the water was bone-chilling, we couldn't keep the kids away from it. We capture it here, for posterity's sake, with pictures and a video. 

The Great McKnight Camp Flood of '12...

Hiking at Camp

The McKnight Family camp, outside of Punxie, PA, boasts some 400 acres of pristine mountain land. One of the benefits of being there is grabbing a walking stick and hiking around the many trails. We arrived a few days before the rest of the family and, when the weather permitted, took some family strolls to enjoy the crisp mountain air.

Pony Rides and Rodeo Bucks

Last year Clara got to ride Beauty (see that here), and she's been talking about it ever since. So as we headed back to Pennsylvania for the McKnight Family reunion, all she could talk about was riding another pony. 

Well, as we know, her Pappaw is in with the Punxie Amish community, and once again he set her up with a pony ride. This time Clara rode the mini-steed Ricks. On day one, he was calm and cooperative. On day two, he got a bit feisty. Clara got her first experience with a bucking bronco! And despite riding bareback with this little Amish girl, our three-year old clung tight with her arms and legs and made it through safely. Her mother and Pappaw, however, were experiencing shortness of breath for a few hours after.

Ask Clara sometime what a pony does when it bucks. She's happy to give an animated demonstration.

Hattie is SOOO BIG

Among Hattie's favorite parlor tricks is showing us exactly how big she is. Her repertoire is growing, however, with the ability to clap (the hands don't always meet for the clap, but it's close enough) and playing peek-a-boo. Note the omnipresent smile.

Mama Running, Clara Cheering

Finding time for exercise has been among the bigger challenges of having two children. Kate has taken to quick sprints up and down the hill in front of our house. While Hattie naps, Kate gets Clara involved in the work-out.

Swimming Lessons

Clara passed her latest round of swimming lessons with flying colors. She did so well, in fact, that we're going to try to squeeze her into the next level before the end of the summer. 

We've spent a lot of time in the pool this summer to stave off the choking heat, so Clara's re-gaining her comfort with the water. That comfort tends to dissipate over the cooler seasons, so we're eager to get her to the next stage of lessons - where the SERIOUS swimming happens - before sunshine gives way to colorful leaves...and Daddy's college football "habit" trumps all other Saturday activities.

Clara's 5 O'Clock Energy

Clara's energy peaks each day just as her parents' wanes. At five o'clock, she just starts bouncing around, twirling in circles, running up and down the stairs, jumping from couch to chairs, dancing to music...and it keeps going until (and sometimes well after) it's time to go to bed. So it is with three-year olds.

If we could bottle this in two ounce cans, we'd sell it at truck stops and make a friggin' fortune!

Aunt Karen and Cousin Karoline Visit

Aunt Karen and Cousin Karoline stopped through for the night on a quick trip through Raleigh en route to D.C., New York, and (ultimately) the Newport Folk Fest in Rhode Island. Clara soaked in the attention of her older cousin while Karen got her baby fix in meeting Hattie for the first time.

Hattie Showing No Interest in Crawling

After such a promising start a couple month ago, Hattie - at seven months and change - has lost all interest in crawling. She wants to walk instead and invests all her energy in pulling up, balancing (alone!) on her two legs (well, for up to eight seconds at a time), and taking itty-bitty steps. She's doing it in a bouncing motion at this point -  as if she were still in her jumper - because she can't push her feet in front of her with out moving her entire body up in the air first. 

At this point we must say there is a real possibility that Hattie will walk before she ever crawls. Or, indeed, that she might walk en lieu of ever crawling. Watch out!

Fourth of July 2012

We joined the Glanvilles and a large gathering of their Cameron Park neighbors to celebrate the Fourth with  a picnic and a parade. The 105 degree heat was made a bit more bearable by the fun activities and good company. The highlight for Clara was riding her bike around the neighborhood green, next to Nadine, and in pursuit of a firetruck acting as pace car. For Hattie, it was taking a nap next to her baby friend Sadie, face down and bottom up in the side-by-side stroller.