The Shore

Another favorite activity of ours is playing on the beach. This year it was all about hauling large rocks around, building dams, and digging trenches in the sand. Derek and I simply watched our boys play. We talked about the stage our family is in right now, and how we want to freeze time right here. These are the years I think I'll want to revisit the most. When playing at the beach is enough. When it doesn't matter what their friends think. When they still want to be with us.

But since we can't freeze time, I guess we just enjoy each day that's given to us. Make lots of memories together. Take time to slow down and realize it's the little moments that make life big. Like playing at the shore. Like watching our boys carry rocks half their size, excited to build dams in the sand.

We had a fun week together after all. I'm glad we squeezed this trip into our summer. We rode bikes, played frisbee in the dark, popped popcorn and watched an episode of Dukes of Hazzard. Ginger had fun too. :) We witnessed a mishap at the dock and the boys learned a lesson I doubt they'll forget. Lesson learned: make sure your boat strap is strong and secure, or else it could tear apart when you're backing your boat trailer into the water. Then your boat will crash off your trailer and land on the boat ramp. Those poor people! It made a strong enough impression on Aaron that he prayed for them at bedtime.

We came home in time to pack for yet another trip. The last one of the summer...

Some funnies before I go:

Aaron planted a marigold plant for me last spring, but he has trouble remembering what it's called. The other day he pointed to his plant and said, "That goldener sure is doing good!"

I laugh every time Aaron says "handlebars." He doesn't know why I laugh at that--but it's because of the way he pronounces it. It sounds like "hayne-del-bars." Sometimes we'll be talking and he'll randomly interject the word "handlebars" just to make me laugh. Last night he even did it during his prayer. :)

Aaron frequently tells me he shouldn't cost anything because, "I can't help being born!"

Finally, during the past month our boys have a new favorite word. They shout it, say it, talk about it, and use it in all sorts of ways. The word is...ugly. Here's what I hear around the house:

"UGLY!!!"

"You're so ugly the mirror cries."

"Ug-gl-y!"

"You're ugly!"

"You're so ugly goldfish don't smile back!"

And that brings us to the end of this post! :)



5 Days at the Lake

For the third year in a row, Derek and I carved out a week of our summer to spend at the lake. It's his favorite week of the year. This summer's seemed busier than most, so I honestly thought of this trip as "one more thing" to cram into our life. But Derek enjoys this time away so much--so we went.

We arrived at the cabin with a week's worth of food. It had to be at least 100 degrees outside, and I was anxious to put our food in the fridge. What a bummer to discover the fridge had failed, meaning I had no place to put my cold (getting warmer by the minute) food. Derek plugged in a dinosaur fridge in the basement, and I wondered how long that would take to cool down. Figuring I could at least grill the chicken for supper, I plucked it from my cooler and told the kids to wash up for supper. But the grill wouldn't light. No fridge, no grill, the a/c wasn't cooling the cabin down fast enough--I was hot and sweaty and exhausted and wanted to go home. Derek left to go buy ice while I oven-broiled the chicken (along with myself, I think.) We ate sweet corn while waiting for the chicken, and I thanked God for my kids' patience. Derek ended up fixing the grill later that evening, the old fridge in the basement did cool down by bedtime, and I hoped for a better day tomorrow.

By morning the cabin was nice and chilly. :)

We put the boat in the water our first morning there, and it felt good to jump in and swim. I think that's some of our kids' favorite times--just bobbing in the water and swimming around the boat. Derek finally gave up his driving duties and played on the water skis. :)

Later that day, Kaleb's friend joined us for an overnight visit. While Braylen's had friends come to the lake before, this was Kaleb's first time. He loved it! They did lots of tubing and swimming. Jordan had never been boating, so Kaleb really liked showing him how it's done. :) They slept in the camper and never heard the thunderstorm roll through--we must have worn them out with all that time on the lake. The next day we met up with Jordan's mom, and Kaleb and I had an ice cream treat before returning to the cabin.

The guys mowed the yard and planted some trees from home. I found time to sit down with a book--one of my favorite things to do.

Back on the boat, Derek fished with Aaron and Braylen. Kaleb didn't want to fish, so he drove the boat. I read some more of my book and took a nap or two. :)

Aaron lost a tooth during our week at the lake. The tooth fairy left him a golden dollar in the camper! That tooth fairy sure had to be tricky to find him there. I heard Braylen helped her. :)

Just in case you think I sat around and read a book all week...I didn't. I love the water too much for that! Kaleb wanted to ride on Big Mable with just me. I will never turn that request down!

I also water skied and drove the boat for Derek.

This is one of my favorite silly pictures of the week. Braylen loves to jump into the water in all sorts of crazy ways.

And guess who learned to water ski this week?!!! In the past he's been able to get up for a few seconds, but this year he really water skied. Derek and I are passing the baton! (or should I say ski rope?)

More of our week at the lake next time...

To His Aunt & Uncle's House

Braylen discovered that getting older means taking that trip, without his parents, to his aunt and uncle's house for a long weekend! Aunt Sarena and Uncle Dave invited him, he accepted, and plans were made for Braylen's getaway. What a blessing! Braylen is becoming more of a young man, and I believe it's important to recognize that with milestones and celebrations along the way. This trip was one of those ways.

They climbed rocks, grilled supper, went up Pike's Peak, treated him to Starbuck's, stayed up late--and so much more. Braylen took hundreds of pictures, but I've selected just a few to tell the story of his weekend.

eating supper on the deck

Braylen and Aunt Sarena have always been close.

bouldering with Uncle Dave at garden of the gods

Braylen told me he really loved his time at garden of the gods.

together :)

c'mon Braylen, lift!

on the cog railway as they climb their way up pike's peak

Braylen's on top of the world

Braylen left the mountains to come home, but I think he still feels like he's on top of the world. Dave and Sarena poured so much into him during this visit. I'm so thankful for our family! As Braylen starts middle school in just a few short weeks, I hope these memories remain a part of him. I'm pretty sure they will. :)

Go Fish

This month our kids attended Kid's Camp at church for a week. Last year Braylen and Kaleb missed out, since they spent a week with my parents. This year they were home--for most of it. :) Aaron loved showing them how it's done. Luigi, an interactive dog on the big screen, was a big hit again this year. For the VBS part, we used material from Go Fish--a really great music group for kids. To hear some samples, click here. I loved eating supper at church every night with 300+ people. Derek didn't like that so much, but he joined us when he wasn't working. :)

On our last night of camp, Go Fish was in concert at our church! Braylen missed it--but that's for another post. I took Kaleb and Aaron to the concert, and even bought them "meet and greet" passes. We were treated to a song, autographs, and a question-and-answer session before the concert. Our boys posed with their cousins for a picture with Jamie, the lead singer of the group.

Before the concert began, we waited at the doors for our friends to join us. Since both our husbands were working, Rebekah and her kids sat with us. We had a blast! I feel like our friendship has come full circle in many different ways, and tonight is one of those ways. We used to go to concerts together as teenagers. Now we're at a kids' concert with our kids! The music was loud, the kids were hopping, and I loved every minute of it. :)

my two boys and me

Rebekah and her kiddos

I think Kid's Camp was a huge success! My wonderful sister-in-law put SO much work into organizing this week of fun, so here's a big thank you shout out to her!!!