Catching our breath!

This weekend was so incredibly relaxing. For the first time in about 2 months, we were able to spend the evening on Friday as a family. It seems so hard these days to find an evening and even harder to find an entire day where we can all be home together, engaged in the same activity. The kids crave it and more importantly we all need it. Here is a glimpse into the first 24 hrs. of our much needed weekend of R & R before daddy headed off for a 48 hr. weekend shift.

I love watching these two interact; so far apart in age, yet, so much alike in personality & looks.

Bethany & daddy have been diligently picking & shelling almonds for the past 2 weeks in 30 minute increments of time, here & there. Bethany is always on cloud 9 when it is just her & daddy.

The evening family project was to trim a few good size branches off of the oak tree to allow more sunlight into the rose garden. Eventually, the oak tree will completely block out all of the sunlight, leaving us with an even bigger job of moving the entire rose garden. Until then, we will stick to the small job of trimming one branch at a time.

Brian is always impressing us with his knot tieing skills. Keagan, on the other hand, will use this opportunity to swing like a monkey on Brian's pulley system; while Brian figures out just how he is going to safely trim this branch.

This poor praying mantis made it onto every one's body & off again several times AND it is still alive!

"Wher d it go?"

"See guys, I'm not afraid of him."

"Whoa, he makes my hair stand on end!"

Swinging with sissy

"Stakin' wood for daddy."- notice his motor is running. What is it with little boys and motors?

"Daddy always says, 'You got to have the right tool for the job!', I think I have both. "

I walked into the rocking chair this week and possibly broke my pinkie toe. It has been hard to get around the last couple of days, so Brian offered to get down the harvest tote from the attic before heading back to work. Hailey & Kelden wandered up to the attic and this was the end result. It took everything in Brian & Hailey to get him down.

"Daddy, you can't get me."

"Oh, man"

I started my day on Saturday at a baby shower for my high school friend, Meredith (Morrison) Smith. It was so fun catching up with both Meredith and Crystal (Hannold) DeMerrit.

The kids and I spent the rest of the weekend napping, watching movies, playing games, crafting & preparing for the week ahead. It is feeling like Fall!

18 Months Old

Our little bear is growing up...we're all sad...but each day we can't help but fall head over heals in love with him. He is a charmer, a snuggler, a comedian and a 'fix it' boy. He loves to play inside or out. He loves anything and everything with a motor. He can say- 'Na Na'(mama), 'Dada', 'Ailey', 'Eagan', 'Ne'(Bethany), 'sissy', 'Ouwex'(Alex)', 'Andon', 'illie & sally', 'Ouch', 'all done', 'Ut-Oh!', 'Nigh-Nigh', 'More', 'bye, bye', 'doggie', 'kitty','mouw, mouw'(meow), Whoa!', 'airpane', 'look', 'up-high'. We love you to pieces, K.C.! Happy 18 months!

READY OR NOT...School is here!

The 3 older kids are off at school and I have to admit...the house is way too quiet! This is going to take a little getting used to. I miss them and can't wait to here how their 1st day of school went.

7th grade...WOW!

Hailey woke up not feeling well from a head cold and vey nervous! While she worked hard to hold back the tears of the unknown, mom just let them flow...my girls growing up...where did the time go?

5th grade

A handsome boy ready to take on the world! Mr. Wickline is his first male teacher. An energetic man who loves his coffee...Son, you better get used to coffee breath.

1st grade...a new backpack & a full day!!!

Bethany was beaming with excitement...not one bit nervous!

Yeah...I am not alone!

Kelden was a little unsure this morning when he realized the kids were not coming home, but not for long. Alex came to play at 9:00. The boys have done so well together. They both have a gentle spirit about them. Babysitting Alex is going to be so good for Kelden. Alex will join us M-F in the morning when I drop Hailey off at school and then I will take him to his grandma (Paula Finlay) when I pick Hailey up at 3:00. The day has gone by so fast! Busy, but not too busy.

Home from camp

I picked my sister Destiny up and she rode the rest of the way to pick Hailey up from camp. Hailey was surprised and happy to see her Aunt.

Last year, Hailey made friends from Redding. This year the girls were all back!

Hailey's camp counselor happened to be the niece of my childhood friend, Anne.

Destiny's husband, Brandon, grew up between Redding & Viola; so on the way home we stopped by his parent's horse ranch to see where he was raised. What a treat it was to get to know my sister better. The time was so special, but way too short.

Word of Life Summer Camp

Monday, the kids and I drove Hailey up to camp (45 miles east of Redding). Let's just say, it was a long day for all of us- 3 1/2 hrs. both ways. It was worth it all to see the excitement on Hailey's face. She worked her heart out this summer to earn enough money to go by mowing Grandpa & Grandma's lawn, babysitting her siblings, helping out & selling things in our yard sale, as well as, planning her own bake sale. Two days before our yard sale, Hailey was busy in the kitchen baking bread & cookies to sell during our yard sale. She did everything on her own and I could not have been prouder! Thank you to the Sims' family for donating fresh produce for Hailey's bake sale. Thank you Uncle Cody for the example of hard work and perseverance that you have set before my children. You inspire Hailey!

Of course, Kelden was fascinated with the camp staff's 3-wheeler, mule & golf carts. He just did not understand why he could not go for a ride.

Sleeping accommodations...tepee's & tents. It was only 76 degrees at 2:00 pm with thunderheads hovering overhead. I hope these kids stay warm & dry!

Hailey will never be too old for our traditional camp photo. Hailey was only one or two years older than Bethany when she first came to church camp.

Bethany's friend, Audrey, was up at camp with her Grandpa & Grandma so the girls were able to enjoy a short visit. I was 10 years old when I attended Word of Life camp with Audrey's Aunts, Laurie & Angie. Brings back memories.

Hailey was delighted to show Keagan around.

One very cold swimming test!

School friends, Jessica & Ashley joined Hailey at camp along with a few girls from last year.

We were able to sneak in about an hour visit with my sister, Destiny & husband Brandon on the way home. I have not made a Redding visit since their wedding about a year ago. It was fun to see their new home!

When you have so many Aunts & Uncles, you get to do things that you normally don't get to do at home. I can't wait for another visit. This one was way too quick.