Camping Twin Lakes: Day 1

We finally were able to go camping this summer! Abe has been so busy and schedules just never lined up until this month. It is sad that it took us so long because Crew has been asking since January to go camping.

We traveled to Twin Lakes in California. It was very beautiful and the perfect location. Luck brought us to the perfect campsite that no one was at. Which was quite odd due to the fact that the campground was rather full. We were down in the trees, right by the creek, and had all the space to ourselves!

After barely squeezing our small trailer through the trees (this could be why no one else was down there) and barely missing a tree by about an inch, we got to the important things! Digging, throwing rocks, picking up pine cones, and getting dirty!

I think this was a dry stream that must flow in the spring months.

"These pine cones are pokey!"

Crew was so excited to go camping that he cried the night before we left. He wanted to go now! He was also thrilled with the idea of getting to sleep on the bunk this time. That is until we put him up there. After a small freak out and some bribing he agreed to try it out again. This time he played a game on the ipad while adjusting to the feel of his new bed. In about 15 minutes he went from scared to hanging off the side and saying "Hi Dad/Sawyer/Mom! What are you doing?" I am pretty sure he suffered from being sleep deprived but it was an adventure for him!

All In a Day

The sun may greet us a little earlier on some days than other, but both boys wake up with smiles and ready to go! What do two little boys do all day?

wrestle

Sawyer requested to wear Crew's underwear. I should potty train the kids since he will poop on the toilet and occasionally pee.

play in the dirt 

eat lunch, have a treat, ride our bikes (Sawyer nap)

 more playing in the dirt

dinner, bath, and bed!

Sawyer

Goof ball! This kid loves to laugh, play coy, and get a little crazy. He is loving his ability to say new words and to be more specific about his surroundings. There are many noises that he makes and likes to do so -loud! He is not shy about trying a new word!

He does this face often to be silly.

"cheese"

He loves his blanket. "De-de"

"chin"

"hair"

"nose"

"belly"

 He also knows neck, ears, eyes, eyelashes, armpit, bum, back, legs, hands, fingers, feet, toes, cheeks, tongue, teeth, mouth.

Crew

Crew is growing up so fast. I see him maturing and growing in so many ways. He is a good listener, a loving son and brother, he appreciates his space, and is particular on how he likes things done.
Underwear changing happens several times a day. Not because his underwear is dirty but because he would like to match his underwear to the occasion: pajamas, outside, outfit change, etc.
Prayers are heartfelt and real. When we talk to him about someone in the family that is in need of extra prayers he always remembers to include them.
He uses the phrase "Ta-later" for when he wants to refer to something being delayed to another day/time. Love it! "Pretty-ful" is used to describe something that he thinks is beautiful and pretty. My favorite is when he uses it to describe how he sees me that day. He often comes up with other made up words that make me giggle. Very creative!
We have been reading small chapter books together and I love listening to his guesses on what will happen. It's fun talking about the books that we read together.
As soon as he wakes up in the morning he wants to go outside. But he is very good about making his bed and helping tidy up before we go out to play.
I love the time I get to spend with him every day!

Crew: Buttons

Crew has been working on the painstaking task of buttoning his shirts. He finally buttoned up all of his shirt before church started. It was a fabulous accomplishment for him! Watch out, big boy coming through!

Final button

"I did it!"

Summer Fun: Family Party

When Kenna found out that all of our family was in town she graciously invited everyone to a party at her house. It was fun to see everyone else and watch all of the kids run around.  Megan got the idea to hurry and snap a picture of all of the kids so we could update Ernie and Carmen's grand kid wall. It was like a tornado trying to get all of those kids faces wiped off and smiling for a picture before the sun set. I am pretty sure that the single wipe used to wipe everyones' face was rather dark by the 13th kid! And it may have been putting food back onto their faces instead of taking it off!!

Callie, Corrine

 Nate, Aurora, Natalie                            Franklin: this kid is always drinking!

Natalie, Lyric

Randall 14        Quinton 12

 Rhett 7             Corrinne 3

Aurora 10            Lyric 4

Franklin 2             Nate 8

Cooper 7              Will 4

 Callie 2                     

 Crew 3            Sawyer 1

This is how we all felt after!

 Mya                  Natalie

Kylan, Emmit

Not pictured: Ila and Aaron