Thursday, June 30, 2016

June 2016



We started summer off with a bang on a wonderful family trip to Branson. 




My dad and stepmom spoiled us rotten with a beautiful condo to stay in and lots of fun activities to do.  It was the first “real” vacation our kids have ever been on and boy was it fun to experience it through their eyes!



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We got back just in time to join Surf Shack VBS at church.

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Both of the boys volunteered to be Leaders In Training and served in several different ways for the week.  I’m so very proud of their hard work!

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Saul and I got to sneak in a date on one of the mornings, probably our last one for the rest of the summer…

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We’ve done a lot of picnic-ing this month.  It’s one of my most favorite ways to surprise the kids, although I don’t really think that it impresses them all that much.  I guess someday they will know the work and planning it takes to stuff a PB&J in a baggie and drive to a park somewhere. Winking smile


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(Elaina drew us!)


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My mom and dad got in from Tucson.  They took Nate for a few days for a special camping trip and then we joined them at the end of the week.

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While Nate was gone camping, the rest of us got to celebrate Saul and the amazing father that he is.  He wanted to go bowling, out to eat, and then to a movie.  It was a very fun day!


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(Look at all those freckles on my nose….)

We had such a great time on our camping trip.  The weather was mild, the kids were helpful, and to top it all off I felt so good!  No more leg pain makes me one happy lady. Smile


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We got back from camping and one of my children (no need to name names) just couldn’t handle the relaxed summer schedule of no routine and no plans.  So we jumped right into summer school.  No harm in keeping up the basic skills during break.

At least that's what I keep telling the kids...


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I’ve been taking the kids on as many hikes and long walks as possible.  They’ve been doing very well and usually only have to stop for a few short breaks.  Both Elaina and Isaac have been going to Zumba with me in the evenings too.  Nothing like a lil’ rump shaking at the end of your day!


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(the sass just seriously never leaves this chic)


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I read an article about how letting kids be bored in the summer is a good thing.  I really don’t understand how kids get bored so easily when there are just so many things to do for fun.  I mean look at that cat….just sitting in a box and look at how much fun he is having!


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This may have been the only thing I cooked all month.  I do remember cooking on vacation, but after that it was a lot of  “fend for yourself” kind of meals and “how do pancakes sound for dinner?”  Oh well.  We’re all still pretty fat and happy.

Monday, June 27, 2016

Camping {2016}


I don’t know how it happened, but somehow in the past year or so, these four kids of mine grew up enough to make going places fun. 



Don’t get me wrong…we usually seem to find fun whatever we are doing.  But I’m talking about the work vs. fun payoff.  You know what I'm talking about:  when the sheer volume of work and nonsense outweighs the fun and relaxation that you get to experience.


Up until recently, the amount of work (and usual shenanigans) feels very out of balance.



I know…it’s all part of parenting.  Lots of work.


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There was a time, not that long ago, that getting 6 people ready for tent camping was more work than I could manage.  Instead we opted for day camping trips (click here and here to see) that minimized the amount of work, and lessened the opportunity for these rambunctious, loud, dirt seeking kids I get to call mine.


Having kids old enough to help, and two working legs (now pain free for almost a year!) makes a huge difference.  It's also amazing being able to participate in the memory making, not just being a side observer!


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This was a really fun camping trip!  We are hoping to go again at least once more this summer. :)