That Face

Isn't is funny how when some kids watch TV they get that face of total "tuned outness"?! Well, my boys get that face ;) And as I was watching them tonight I felt I needed to capture the moment. So here are my boys' TV faces ;)

Crinkled brow....this must have been during a critical moment in the movie!


Totally zoned out.

One Last Adventure

Last Thursday we packed up and headed out for one last adventure to CranHill Ranch. This time it was just us and Torrey's mom and dad. And although the weather was not ideal, we still did all that a fabulous weekend of camping can bring(I did not get more pictures of us eating ice cream, holding the bunnies, taking baths or playing at the beach, though:)) But I did get......

one last picture of our summer home...ha! Notice the big blue and gray tarps to block the wind and rain, nice hillbilly look, huh! But it's cozy and we like it ;)

One last "biggest catch" ever.....

one last morning cup of coffee by the fire......

one last kayak ride(amid a few rain drops!)

one last s'more(not sure why his hair is wet and wild in this one!?)

one last slide down the sand hill....

and one last picture of Cameron's first REAL day of Kindergarten. HA! Can you feel his excitement of yet another picture!
One last great family vacation for the summer!
School......we're ready!

A BIG First

This week, we hit a B-I-G milestone in our house.

Cameron started Kindergarten! Can you sense his excitement?!

Monday night we had his open house(which singing praises and praying out on the playground as a family with teachers and other students....SUCH a calming and awesome way to kick-off a school year!) On Tuesday I was able to go in with Cameron for about an hour for a little taste of Kindergarten.
It was so.much.fun! And I so was "that mom" taking pictures ;)
Finding his very own locker!

Getting to know some new friends before we got started.

I hope he always listens this good! First time listening to Mrs. Havert give the class directions.

He was so independent and really interested in just being there....phew!! But he did like me to come along by him as we checked off each item and held my hand as we walked outside to the playground. I could have frozen that moment!

We got to go on a scavenger hunt around the room and out in the hall. It was so fun to see him excited about where he was, what he was doing and who he was with. We also found out that his daycare friend he has known since 6 months old will be there on the same days, just a different class. They already made plans to play at recess! Cameron wants to show him how to do the monkey bars ;) He could hardly fall asleep tonight he was so excited that tomorrow is a full day of school(which Haiden thinks he gets to go too!)

At the end, his teacher pulled the mom's across the hall and read us a little story. We were all crying at the end! She shared her heart with us--her passion, assurance and love that is already there for our children, prayed with us and most importantly took the time to acknowledge this big step in our lives, the lives of the ones we are entrusting to her and assured us that she will love on them and share Jesus' love each and every day. I left feeling more at ease, calm and excited for this next step and journey in our family.
Clothes are laid out, backpack by the door and lunch is packed.
We are ready for Kindergarten!

Just Me and my Boys

This summer has been filled with things that just the boys and I do together...playdates, shopping, playing, beaches, lunches and all the other great things about summer......like getting ice cream!

The other night the boys and I decided it was a great night to get a yummy summer treat. Cameron wanted to go to that place with the umbrellas(bowling alley) so off we went just me and my boys. As we were talking about what we were going to get on the way there, Haiden remembered about the gummy fish he had gotten the last time(a WAY long time ago, mind you) and his mind was set. Cameron was looking for a novelty ice cream bar like Spiderman.
Watching the creations being made with all the fun machines and noises. Anything that has motors, gears, noises, switches, tubes, etc....these two are mesmerized.

Cameron had to change his idea and opted for this fun creation. Isn't it cute?

This little one made sure he get his "fishy gums" as he called them;) Doesn't his cheesy smile just make you happy?!

Cameron saved the cookies for last ;)

A mouth full of fishy gums!
And even though Haiden spilled his ice cream on the ground and all over my purse and Cameron thought it was okay to climb the fence, it's times like these when it's only ice cream on the agenda and nothing else, that I have so cherished this summer with just me and my boys!

Still Here

Yes we are still here! I am not sure where the past week or so has gone! Well, I do...it's just it went by SO fast, again!

We have been having playdates, hanging out with family, spending time at our new favorite summer place(more on that later), errands, lunches and spending some time in school getting geared up for the fast approaching school year. Not yet will I say gone are our summer days, but we are getting close!
These are just a few of the pics I have uploaded and have to do some more yet. One project we have been wanting to do is re-do the front doors. The other night, Tor wanted to see how easy these eyesores came off and of course the boys had to join right in.
They came off very easy which was nice for the boys to be able to help. Now, if I was a crafty, DIY kind of lady, I could think of something really cute and crafty to do with these little plaques. But that I am not, so they are sitting in a pile in the garage!
Any tool that Daddy gets out, the boys have to try it out. Whether they use it like it's supposed to be used, that's a different story!
And this is where we left it. This is what you will see driving up to the house. Nice. Can't quite decide if this is better don't ya think! Adds a little dimension, right?

I wanted to post this so I wouldn't forget. Haiden will call for me in the morning and when I walk into his room I find him like this.
(please pay no attention to the baskets of laundry or camera cord that looks like a big crack in the wall...we haven't paid too much attention to the little things lately!)
He covers himself up and thinks we can't see him. So I play along and ask where Haiden is, when he will be back and sit in the chair and wait for him to "appear"! Funny how he thinks I can't see him. He sits so still, too! Most days when he shows himself he smiles, but this morning he wasn't so sure about it all....
Pitiful, isn't it! But oh so cute!

Big (Little) Boy

Lately when I ask Haiden if he is my baby he will say, "No, big boy Mommy!" When I give him kisses he will wipe them off and say "gross!" I have no idea where he learned that from but it makes me just kiss all over him ;)
Well, Mister 2 and a 1/2 thinks he needs to ride a bike like his brother. So, Torrey got out his little bike from the basement and put the training wheels on. Haiden could not get the bike outside fast enough! Cameron was very helpful in giving him pointers, helping him along and getting excited for him.

All geared up and ready to go!

The sun was out so he needed his shades ;)

We need to work on looking where he is going! He actually can turn and start himself, as long as it is not on a hill!

Still not looking where he is going!
It was a moment watching him thinking of how big he is getting, how much less of a baby he is and really getting to be a big boy like he says. So, I also ask him if he can be my baby some of the time and he says yes. That makes my heart happy!

Family Camping Week

Last week we packed up the van, camper and car top carrier and headed to CranHill for our annual week long camping adventure. We were breaking at the seams! The week was fabulous and went by way too fast. The weather was great. A HUGE storm came Tuesday night and I was so thankful Torrey was there to help get things covered and the like and both boys slept through it all! We had really hot and humid weather perfect for the beach, a little drizzle, clouds and just right days. So a little of everything to keep activities new and fun. All the cousins got along so well, food was in abundance and yummy(why when you are camping do you, or I , feel like you need to snack ALL day?!) and there was actually some time for relaxation! Each summer there keeps getting easier and easier. So here are just a few of the pictures taken throughout the week. We took almost 200! Every year I see myself looking at the same kind of pictures but with bigger kids...bunnies, ponies, ice cream, fires, smores, tie-dye, baths, beach...we do it all!

Morning coffee with Grandma. For some reason we got in the habit of waking up, having something sweet like homemade bread, ginormous muffins or cinnamon rolls with coffee before having breakfast.
(Just so you know the cup was empty..almost!)

Fishing almost everyday. We learned quickly that we will be needing another fishing pole for our next visit. Fighting on the dock over whose turn it is leads to some almost kids in the water moments.

A little rain can't stop him!

Watching over the captured turtles. These little friends provide quite the entertainment!

A new favorite of Cameron's is the skate park. He is getting braver going up and down the ramps and is so proud of his 2 inch jumps he can now do!

A fun water balloon fight. Is this not a great action shot of Cameron nailing unsuspecting Grandpa or what?!

Cameron was so much braver in the water! He loved jumping off the dock and even figured out how to do little front flips off of it. He tried a few times to catch a ball while jumping, but then wanted to go back to just jumping ;)

Silly boys!

And oh the ice cream! A different flavor every day! Why does ice cream from your own home town taste so much better when you are away?

And the smores! Finger licking good!

Doesn't this make you want to have one right now?!
So many great memories made and we already can't wait until next year!