Anniversary camping

Yes, we spent our anniversary camping!  And yes, we spent our anniversary with our kids...and about 8 other families!  Let me explain...there's been a lot of growing and learning and adjusting this year with the addition of a fourth child.  One of the things that we have found is we need to take time to talk about what everyone needs or expects before a trip, or a week, or a summer!  One of the sayings we have found ourselves repeating to our children is, "you are one of six".  It is a good thing to learn to be patient and to adjust for others.  Sometimes though, let's be honest, it's nice to know your desires were heard, considered, and sometimes added into the mix!  So at the beginning of the summer we talked with our kids about what they would like to do, admitting to them that not necessarily all of those things will happen.  It helped them reflect and prioritize and verbalize what was really important to them.  Both the older kids wanted to make sure to go to summer camp, check.  All three kids wanted to be on swim team, check.  All the kids (and Randy) wanted to go camping as much as possible (I love it too)...so here we are.  We set aside the last weekend of June as the first possible weekend to camp after school got out.  We asked our friends, the Co family, if they would like to camp with us, and they had the same weekend free!  Then we got a call from another friend that said their family would be up there that weekend as well...and the word spread to lots of other families in our church that we know enjoy camping.  As much as Randy and I would love to get a weekend away without kids, we also realize we are 2 of 6.  And this is a stage in our life...a stage we are very thankful for!  So we celebrated with a dinner out earlier in the week (thanks to Grandma being able to watch the kiddos) and we spent our anniversary weekend reminding ourselves of the blessings our kids are, and the blessing of so many friends, as well as the blessing of being out of the 112 degree heat down in the valley!

First time in a sleeping bag!

This cutie's first trip camping!

Enjoying a snack...in the bear box.

Good morning Violet!

Ready to dominate the badminton court.  Isaac and his little buddy played badminton for almost 2 hours on Saturday afternoon.  They were determined, and hilarious, commentating on their play the entire time!  I actually went out to Target this week to get a badminton set to put in our camping gear for next time they had so much fun!

Family picture up at Panoramic Point.  

So thankful I've had this guy to smooch for the last 16 years of my life!  Hope to be able to celebrate many, many more by his side!