Camp Recap

One of our favorite weeks of the year has come and gone.  As always, it was a blast!!!  Here are the highlights!!!  (If you don't like pictures, you'd better quit while you're ahead! :))

#1. The Water Fountain

 (And at 1 1/2, being able to play in your birthday suit!!!)

#2.  Singletary Lake

#3. Cute Babies

 Don't you just want to eat him up?  Adorable!!! :)

#4. Beautiful Scenery

Awfully close to Heaven on Earth

 #5.  The Next Generation of Best Friends

Ally & Merry Grace

(It seems like just yesterday that Elise and Emmy were taking this same stroll...)

#6. Digging in the Sand (preferably to China)

(Sorry Grandma!!!)

#7.  A Friend for Everyone

#8.  Lots of Smiles

Charlie definitely knows how to say "Cheese!!!" :)

 #9.  Time with Family from Far Away

#10.  Shark Attacks

 Due to an unfortunate hole, and one too many rescue attempts, the Shark will not be attending camp again next year. :)

#11.  Cannonballs

(Technically, Merry Grace's may not be a "cannonball", but she yells "Cannonball" before she jumps, nonetheless.)

#12. Happy Families

#13.  Make-up

A girl after my own heart... :)

 #14. Braids

  

#15.  Best Friends Forever

#16.   Lots of Good Food

#17.  Swimming Gear 

#18.  Bumper Boats 

Ian wasn't quite the pro his sister was, but he had just as much fun.  And he looked super cute driving his boat. :)

#19.  Sunglasses

#20.  Striking a Pose

#21.  Wearing as Many Dresses as You Like

At least 2 will do the trick. :)

 #22.  Dances

Like, "Can you spin around like Michael Jackson, break it down Britney Spears, shake it up like Salt and Pepper?  I don't think so!!!"

#23.  Crafts...

 

 ...that always end up being WAY more work for the grown ups.  But worth every minute of it!

 #24.  Parties with a Password

(Party 101, anyone?!!!)

#25.  Getting Uncle Neal 

I have no doubt he did something to warrant this revenge. :)

#26.  Boys Being Boys

#27.  Doctoring Up Wounds

#28.  Conquering the Big Water Slide

 And doing it with a smile. :)

#29.  Conquering the Little Water Slide

#30.  Getting back home to our own house and our own bed.

No picture, but still pretty awesome!!!

#31.  Making Memories that have us longing for next year.....

Thanks everyone for a great vacation! Its you guys that make it so much fun. :)
 

Daddies...

I feel like I hit the jackpot when it comes to Daddies.  I know lots of people who think they have the best Daddy.  I know it.  My Dad really is awesome.  I could use a lot of superlatives to tell you about what kind of man he his.  But maybe a few stories will help show it.

Once, when I was a teenager, we had a stake Daddy/Daughter activity.  I don't remember what all we did, but there were games and challenges and lots of fun.  It was summertime and it was hot and at the end of the activity there was fresh watermelon for everyone.  A group of my friends and I were being silly (which happened a LOT in those days) and we decided to get mouthfuls of seeds and run spit them at our Dads who were casually standing around visiting after the days' activities.  And its possible that somewhere in our silliness and impatience we realized that collecting mouthfuls of seeds was tedious work, so we decided just to chew up a mouthful of watermelon and spit that at them instead.  You'd love to be on the receiving end of our fun, right? :)  So that's just what we did.  All us cute girls ran up to our unsuspecting dads and blew chewed up watermelon at them.  My dad, in true payback form, chased me down and smushed a slice of watermelon all down my back.  It was sticky and icky and I deserved it 100%.  And it was fun.  And that's the kind of man my Dad is.  He's someone who will get down and play and have just as much fun doing it as the "kids".  Some of you who have known me for years might also remember my dad's attempts at the skating rink, wrestling matches with some of the young men, softball games or the time he tried to do a somersault on the rings on our backyard swingset.  Priceless, hilarious memories.  My Dad is just fun.


Another time, when I was a teenager, I was away from home.  And it was for a long time.  And I was homesick.  And frankly, I wanted to come home.  But I called my Dad and he talked to me, gave me some counsel and read some scriptures to me.  And I dug down deep inside and decided to stay.  And I had one of the best, most testimony-building experiences of my life, up to that point.  And I almost missed it.  But talking to my Dad that morning was a turning point.  I'm so grateful for his patience and wisdom, that gave me the courage to do something more and be something better.  He's just that kind of Dad.

Several years later, I was married with two or three small children and a husband who was out of town.  As it happened, the kids got sick and were throwing up, so my laundry went through the roof.   And wouldn't you know that right in the middle of a huge load of laundry filled with pukey towels and blankets, the washer decided not to drain.  That left me with a broken washer filled with disgusting laundry and a husband who wouldn't be home for several more days.  So I did the only thing I could think of to do.  I called my Dad.  And he dropped everything and came and drove a couple of hours just to fix my washer and drive back home.  He not only saved my washer that day.  He saved my sanity.  Because he's just that kind of Dad.  One who will sacrifice time, comfort, food, money, or anything else he might have to help someone out.  Especially his kids.

And for those reasons, and a million more, I'm so thankful for my Dad.  On Father's Day and every other day.  Thank you, Daddy, for being that kind of Dad--the very best kind. :)

Overheard

Merry Grace to Paige, as she tried to pick her up:  "Do you want to be my pet?!!!"

A few minutes later, Paige running down the hall, following by Merry Grace:  "Mommy!!!  I'm going to be Mer-Mer's pet!  Forever!!!"


Those girls make me smile. :)

Heart Warming

I love catching my kids in sweet, little tender moments.  

 One day this week, I glanced over and saw Ian and Paige snuggled up in the computer chair.  Ian had turned on "Kipper" for Paige, which is one of her favorites. :)  They just looked so precious.

And at the same time, Elise was testing out her new ironing skills (thanks to an awesome FIGS activity!!!), but ironing Merry Grace's favorite jacket.

They aren't like this all the time.  Goodness knows there is tattling, name-calling, and fighting a-plenty.  But thankfully, there is love, kindness and compassion, too.  It warms my heart. :)

Brothers...

My brother, Logan, brought some tattoos for my kids.  And even helped put them on.

One minute he was entertaining them while I cooked dinner.  The next thing I knew, Captain Jack Sparrow was in my kitchen.

Thank you, Logan.  You were a big help.  :)  I can't wait until you have kids. :)

Surf's Up!

We spent Memorial Day at the beach.  And it was perfect.  

 Aren't they adorable?!

 I cannot stand the cuteness!!

Paige loved playing close to shore.  She was so intently focused on the marine life she found.  It was precious!

 Me and My Boy. :)

 Cheesin' it. :)

 Playing like a boy almost always involves a mess of some sort.  Its so nice to play in a place where it doesn't matter. :)

 The bigger kids love being in the water.  Especially now that its warming up. :)

 Paige likes taking a break from all the playing.  And she likes to look stylish while doing it. :)

 

The kids played this adorably hilarious game that involved them taking their chairs out into the ocean and letting waves knock them over.  I can't tell you how much fun this was to watch.

There was a group of older ladies on the beach beside us, and after watching the kids play like this for a while, she came over and told us how much she and her friends had enjoyed watching our kids play and laugh together.  She said it was joyous and we should be proud of them.  And, of course, we are. :)

They dynamic duo.  Love this guy. :)

Can you see how sandy this child is?  Oh. My. Word. 

This girl's faces are just hilarious. :)  She makes us laugh all the time.

Love my girl. :)

The weather was perfect, everyone had fun and played hard and us grown-ups even got a little time to relax. What a great start to the summer season.  Here's to hoping there are many more days like this one ahead! :) 

Dear Children...

Dear Children,

There are going to be days when I'm grouchy, frustrated, impatient, and annoyed.  There will be days when I don't get this whole "Motherhood" thing right.  There will be times where I fall short of both our expectations. In fact, there will probably be a lot of those days.  So when those days come, please remember today.

Please remember that I came to two awards ceremonies today and cheered you on.  Please remember that I clapped, took pictures and hugged you.  Try and remember that even with all that I got your laundry washed.  Please remember that I washed your softball uniform, even though you had games on consecutive nights.  Try and remember that I was patient with you, even though I had to drag you from the school kicking and screaming because it was your nap time, and you were done.  Please remember that I sat quietly with you in the car while you screamed for the next 15 plus minutes at the top of your lungs.  Remember that your Dad and I planned a fun end of the year celebration for dinner that included take-out Chinese. :)

So the next time you don't get to do something you want, or your favorite outfit isn't washed or dinner isn't on the table, (which may be tomorrow, since today wore me out!) please remember today.   And remember that on both the good days and the bad days, I'm so happy to be your mom and I love you more than I can tell you.

Love,
Mommy

Wow...

Hello, my name is Kristen and I'm addicted to chocolate.

I cleaned out my cabinets this morning and uncovered the entirety of my hidden chocolate stash. :)  Hey, I'm a happier mom with a little bit of chocolate.  Or a lot. :)

It's One, Two, Three Strikes You're Out...

This weekend was a weekend of remembering.  Cory's dad's birthday was this past Saturday, and we used that day to honor and remember him.  We think about him often, we talk about him often and we feel his influence daily.  But I think those anniversaries or milestones are days where we just feel a little more tenderhearted about the separation we feel.  

So its nice to plan something where we have fun and enjoy time together, to push aside some of the sadness and make new, happy memories.  Once again, we went to a baseball game together, as a family--something he loved doing.

 These sweet, sassy girls were slightly more excited about being together, chit-chatting, and getting snacks from the concession stand than about the ballgame.  But that's okay, too.

 These boys could hardly be still and spent a good portion of time running up and down the stairs of the stadium.  But that was fun, too. :)

These cuties love being together.  Early in the game, our team was down by two and one of our players got up to bat.  Marleigh said, "This one's for Granddaddy."  And wouldn't you know, he hit a home run, which drove in another run and tied the game.

We were so glad Ericka and her family could be there.  The more the merrier. :)  Ally was glad she was there, too.

 My silly girl and her silly Daddy.  I love them both to pieces. :)

 I'm mastering the art of the self portrait.  :)

And here's the proof!!!  We won!!!

And maybe our favorite part is the fireworks after the game.  I think we all agree they are better than the Fourth of July.  Paige was so looking forward to the fireworks and thought it was taking a long time for them to start, what with the 9 innings of baseball and all, and kept saying, "The fire won't work!  The fire won't work!"  When they finally started, she covered her ears and said, "I don't want it!"  Oh well, you can't win them all. :)

So Happy Birthday to a wonderful man, who we love, honor and celebrate--today and everyday.  I'm hoping maybe my Grandma made him a chocolate sheet cake in Heaven. :)  Because every birthday needs a cake, right?