Last Trip with Just the Four of Us

Okay,

So it's about time we set up a family blog, but life gets crazy and time passes and kids' albums get neglected and pictures hang out on computers more than in albums and in the hands of family members.

In an effort to not allow too much time to pass before people see our children, we are going to try to post current pictures, stories and events. But please, keep your expectations to a minimum :).
The Dears have recently seen some changes. For one, our family of four was about to become a family of 6, but, we have just found out that we will really be a family of 5 and that is okay. Being in the process of adopting a 12-year-old, we were all geared up for Roxy clothes and Jr. High, but it looks like our family is going to be significantly younger, with Tallinn leading the pack at the prime age of 4.

In preparation for the chaos that comes with another baby, we took one last trip with just the four of us to Lake Tahoe. We had a great time hiking, biking, river rafting and swimming. On our biking trip, Addie found comfort singing "Jesus Loves Me" during the long ride next to her brother. Riding alongside, I tried to capture her sweet singing. However, I can't figure out how to edit the video, so I'll have to post it later.

Here are some fun pics of our trip:

Our first night we got to visit with our longtime friends, Aaron and Jen Linthicum. Addie LOVES her uncle Aaron (with son Austin).

Staying in Rocklin with Auntie Connie and Uncle Chuck has become a tradition for us whenever we venture up north. The kids always love staying at their house and often think we're heading there when we're driving anywhere that looks similar. Poor Tallinn is always disappointed when I tell him it's very far away

Our sweet daughter, getting so big and so full of personality. We are so thankful to God for his special gift of Addie.

Silly Boys

and then, the silly side of Adelaide.

On our last night we stayed with our good friends, the Palmquists. Tallinn had fun playing with their two boys, Peter and Isaac, and their daughter Abi. Those three boys together definitely spelled T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

North Lake Tahoe, along the CA/Nevada Border. This was another hike we did that had an amazing view at the top.

Male Bonding in the Truckee River.

The view from our room.
Besides the fact that we had two rather large holes in our boat and the water level was pretty low, and we avoided a potentially dangerous thunderstorm, we all made it down the Truckee River Alive!!