The Lake and the Hills (out West) \\ PHOTOS

One thing I love about the West are the mountains and hills. There is somethings so peaceful about them... just standing there and looking out for miles, so quiet except the breeze and natural sounds around you. The best.

These are a few pictures I took during our trip when we went on a picnic at the lake (reservoir) with family. I experienced kayaking for the first time! It was cool, but I would've enjoyed it more if we'd gone at a leisurely pace. I don't really find exercise the most fun. Maybe it was leisurely for the others, but I guess I'm not the most in shape. Haha. xP 

We also went swimming, which was quite fun! A few of us swam out to these big logs ( they served as a "wave" breaker, I'm guessing) and hung out on them for awhile. ^__^

When it was time to leave, I went with my older brother, mom, and a few other siblings up to some property lots in the hills. My brother had worked up there, so he could get us in (there was a gate). It was SO PRETTY! Looking down, we could see the lake we had just spent our afternoon at. Then we went further, walked up some lots to where we could see the mountain off in the distance. We found some juicy blackberries to snack on on the way as well. Like, yes. *winks* I loved it up there. Totally my kind of excursion. :)

So, ahem. Here's my pictures, so you can see the beauty for yourself. *winks*

WHICH PICTURE DO YOU LIKE BEST? HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE MOUNTAINS? EVER BEEN KAYAKING?

Further Summer Trips: part 2

  Well, I thought I had better get this last post about my summer trips done before 2016 is over! Why do I take so long? Don't ask. ;P

  Anyhow, from that youth and singles event, I went to MN, my old home. <3 I was there three weeks, staying with relatives, and helping with my cousin's wedding, which happened to be on my 16th birthday. :)

   Here are some pictures I took while there.

    I got to see my cousins there, some who I hadn't seen in a couple years. It made some fun memories- such as rolling around in office chairs in my cousin's basketball court, going out on a lake, and going with a bunch of cousins (first and first-once removed, I think), and a few others mini golfing and such. =D Some great times. When we went mini-golfing, we went straight from church... and I was wearing a dress, so I couldn't even do everything. :| I was like "Why can't I be wearing pants right now?!" That part wasn't nice. ;P

  So yea. I love seeing my cousins, and sometimes I really miss them- the ones who don't live near me. 
 

Isn't this beautiful? :)

   I also had a good time helping out with my cousin's wedding- helping my aunt with cakes and other things. I also took some pictures for them of random things at the wedding (and before), but I  took them all on a different card, which I don't have. So this one above is one of the only ones I took with MY card. ;)

  I had fun thrift shopping too. :D That's how I found It's a Wonderful Life on DVD for $2- thrift shopping. I love it. =D

  It was the first trip I had ever went on alone. :) I'm very glad I did it... it made me have to do things myself, and maybe be less shy. If they read this, they'd be like "What? Less shy?" ;P But I think being alone emboldens people... or me anyhow. :) It was a very great experience, though, and I'm so glad I was able to go there! =D

I hope you enjoyed!

Photo Gallery: Lakeside Pictures

 So, here are the pictures from my first time swimming this year (which I mentioned in my June Highlights post).

 Yea... I just took a bunch of random pictures around the lake. :)

  These are some "bonus" pictures I took on the way to the lake. ;)

Hope you enjoyed! (Happy July, too! ^___^)