Diamond Lake

We had one last hurrah camping for this summer season over Labor Day weekend.  We traveled to central OR to Diamond Lake.  The lake boasts an altitude of 5190 ft and is beautiful with views of Mt. Thielsen and Mt. Bailey.  We had beautiful views of the lake as our campsite was on the lake shore.  The first night was completely clear, and the stars were phenomenal!  The downside to clear skies is that it is FREEZING, and we all snuggled in the best we could.  Ava is the only one with a 0 degree bag, and she was snug as a bug!  The rest of us have 20 degree bags and did our best to keep the heat in!  There was a little beach area of our own off our campsite that the kids enjoyed.  The water was cold, but the weather was hot and dry...perfect!  We rented a canoe and took the kids out for their first canoe ride which they loved.  We also did a short hike of two small nearby lakes.  It was great to be out one last time. 
The kids return to school tomorrow.  Aiden is a 4th grader and gaining independence by the minute it seems!  He and the neighbors are riding bikes to school tomorrow, and he doesn't want his mom to ride along. :(  I guess "that day" is here.  I was pondering this all weekend thinking about how even my "baby" is going to kindergarten.  Ava and I sleep in a tent together, and we got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.  When we snuggled back into our sleeping bags, she reached over and held my hand.  We went to sleep holding hands, and I smiled to myself and enjoyed EVERY minute. :)  Thanks, Ava.



Our campsite on Diamond Lake with Mt. Bailey in the background



These two have so much fun together!  Thank goodness for siblings!





Always with the singing!  This one will be on stage...



The water was almost magical glimmering in the sun.  Aiden was finding more
rocks to add to the rock wall.



Ava digging in the sand.  She loves to get really dirty!



Mt. Thielsen from Diamond lake



Mt. Bailey from Diamond Lake





Hiking Horse Lake.  We all agreed, it was not such an exciting hike but
always great to be outside!  For some reason, I was the only one
consumed by mosquitoes.  Aiden enjoyed hitting me randomly
to kill them as they landed throughout the hike...and maybe sometimes
when there wasn't a mosquito just because he could. :)



Dinner lakeside



Sunset over Mt. Bailey



Ava, the camp dish washer.  This girl loves to wash the dishes and sings the
entire time!



Goodbye, Diamond Lake!  Super sunny! :)