Campin'

Over July 5-6 we took our family's first camping trip since Porter joined us. I was very nervous and wasn't sure how he would do. So we selected a campsite near a lake and that was only 20 minutes from home. That way, if Porter had a complete meltdown we could just zip home.

I think the secret to a good camping trip are the activities. I don't want to go somewhere, set up, and then just sit around and stare at each other. Ride bikes, go for hikes, just do something to keep busy. Our kids are water-dogs and swimming was just the ticket to wear these guys out!

 We invited some friends to join us for swimming & dinner and everyone had a great time. I put Porter to bed in his packnplay inside the camp trailer and he went right to sleep. So did Brooke when it was her turn. I"d say that was a success!

Lovely Summer Evenings

I can be kind of critical of where I live--it defintely took an adjustment to moving here and it's a different kind of beauty. There are times, though, when I am just blown away by the beauty of God's creation and feel so blessed to enjoy these quiet, country evenings.

We took a walk down to "the pond", as we call it after dinner on the 4th.

Brooke is in the silly smile stage

Porter kept finding sticks for lady to eat

The Fourth of July

Our town is notorious for having the LONGEST, most DRAWN OUT 4th of July parades. Some years they go on for two hours or MORE!! That is too long and after a while doesn't everything start to look the same? This year, we finally got it right and the parade was only an hour long. I've also gotten smart--I head downtown 30 minutes before the parade starts, park near the beginning of the parade route, set up at the exact start of the parade route and there is little waiting time for my kids to get impatient for it to start. Brooke was so cute during the parade too. She was so good to sit and wave to everyone going by. She was thrilled with the small bits of candy she got, a flag, and one of those draw-string backpacks. Even Porter, who started to wiggle in his stroller perked up as soon as he heard those first sirens going off.

I think this is one of the few pictures I have where both kids are smiling and looking at the camera.

We had dinner with Blake's parents and then left Porter with them so the three of us could enjoy fireworks without having to worry about if P. was even going to like them or not. Brooke got some glow sticks and was so happy.

This is Summer

Here's what our family enjoys during the hot summer months:

I love this stage when Summer Fun means setting up the pool and sprinkler in the back yard. Throw the slide in the pool and we've got a full-scale water park ;)

Mr. P likes to taste everything

This is from June, but Blake and Brooke had a camp-out on the deck

Gathering firewood up on the mountain has become a family summer tradition. Basically the kids and Mom play while Dad does all the work ;)

We celebrated Father's Day a little early since I was in Maine on the actual day. I got Blake some movies to watch and his favorite snacks to keep him entertained while we were away.

Of course the splash park is a summer favorite as well

And finally, we are so blessed to have several lakes nearby with good beaches to play on

Yep, this is summer!