Camping!

Last weekend we went camping with 13 other families from our home school group.  We had a great time.  The kids especially enjoyed spending so much time with their friends!  The weather was perfect camping weather ~ pleasant during the day and chilly at night.  We kept a fire going the whole time we were there.

Years ago I had told H.O. I never wanted to camp in tents in an area where we needed "food storage boxes" to prevent bears from coming, but... we were definitely in bear country.  We were told bear would come through each night and as long as we kept things tidy we would not be bothered.  We did and we weren't bothered!

The group of kids, always someone to play with.

Our campsite was a mix of sand and small pebbles.  The little boys thought it was a huge sandbox.  They played from the time they woke up until bed, they had so much fun!  On our last night Seth said, "Mommy, night-night good morning no go home stay here and play."  Once I reminded him that Molly and Gracie (our dogs) would miss him he said, "OH yes, go home see Molly Gracie!"

What sweet boys!

Our last night we had a worship service, singing praises to God and hearing a challenge from God's word.

We had a wonderful weekend enjoying God's creation!  The kids are already looking forward to next year's trip!

My sweet hubby!

This is what happens when....

..two sweet, silly girls spend an hour and a half 

playing in the bathroom!!

I love hearing their giggles!

Sweet sisters having fun together!!

Happy 16th Birthday ANDREW!!

I can't believe Andrew is now 16, absolutely amazing.  Time sure does go way too quickly!

I remember taking this picture and it seems like just yesterday...

Absolutely precious!  One of my all time favorite pictures of Andrew!

Andrew is growing into such a sweet young man that is such a blessing to me!

Andrew wanted to take a surfing lesson for his birthday.  We decided to let him take his lesson a couple of weeks ago while we knew the weather was nice.  The whole family was able to enjoy a day at the beach while Taylor and Andrew took a lesson.  Taylor benefited from Andrew's birthday wish, you know it is way more fun to take a lesson with your brother!!  They both really enjoyed the lesson.  We then rented the boards for the rest of the day and they played until we had to head home.

Andrew

Taylor

Andrew

The little guys had a great time playing in the water and chasing the birds!  They were much more comfortable playing in the surf than last time we took them to the beach!

Caleb and Seth chasing birds.  Hmm, they never caught any!

Abby and Seth

Sweet Carrie Anne.

Caleb

Seth

Boys learning to surf.

Seth mid-air :)

Our whole family always enjoys a relaxing day at the beach!

Then last week was his actual birthday.  The day started with a mother/son breakfast date.  That afternoon my parents came up with lunch and cake! Yum!!

Andrew keeps us laughing!  My parents gave him a balloon with his present and Andrew tried to imitate the balloon face.

Oh I love my goofy Andrew!

Then that night he choose his birthday dinner and we had yet another cake and ice cream.  Yes, we had a sugar-filled day!

Happy Birthday Andrew!

We are honored, humbled and blessed that God has allowed us the privilege of being your parents!

Take me out to the ballgame!

H.O. was given tickets to a ball game in a nearby city.  We were able to take the family and had a great night!  It was Caleb and Seth's first baseball game~ they had a great time.

All of the kids really enjoyed meeting the mascots!

My View

Coming home from vacation I had the youngest four children (we don't all fit in one vehicle anymore) in my van.

This was the beautiful view out the front of the van:

God's beautiful creation!

And this was the precious view behind me:

God's beautiful creation!

Yep!  Vacation wore them out!!