8.22.2013

playing catch-up

Nana & Papa have just gone home (flying right now, actually) after a wonderful (and all-too-short) visit!
I have lots of photos from when they were here, but for a couple posts you'll have to excuse me while I catch up.

A couple weeks ago we finally bit the bullet... after having this house for nearly 7 years, we bought a ride-on lawn mower! Thank goodness! Now, instead of it taking 4 hours to mow the whole lawn, and it only getting done in a one-hour chunk every few days, it takes only one hour to do it all! Zech is excited to start learning how to use it, which will be a great help. Levi has all ready had a driving lesson!


Now, it hasn't all been fun and games with the lawn mower. The day before Nana and Papa were arriving last week we were rushing around getting the house and everything clean and tidy... including the yard... and the mower threw a rock into a window of the van. What a mess, and what a hassle at just the wrong time.

But we have a cute Sweet Pea to distract us from that!
She loves pop cans - pepsi, not coke. Smart girl!
She loves the bumbo chair! She's not too sure about borrowing Sissy's hair clip though!!

She was quite happy with herself for making it that far - she started laying on her back on the quilt!

Piper was on the floor and fussing, I was busy and coming to get her when Zech stepped up - a great big brother! I found this instead ❤

8.06.2013

Family Camp!

We spent our long weekend at family camp (at the same camp, TMBC, the kids have been going to this summer). We all went, and Grandma came along with us - and we all had a great time... this was in spite of Piper, Levi, and me all being sick! So I can't imagine how much better it could be with no sick kids!
Miss Pea all ready to go
They have tons of activities at the camp - it's really awesome! The older kids all rode the zip line. Levi was all set to ride it, so excited... until he walked there. Then he said no. Oh well, maybe next year!
Ruthie

Isaac

Zech
But Levi was definitely brave enough to try out archery!
Levi


Zech


Isaac


Josh had to join too!
Then they tried out some horse-riding!
Ruthie


Isaac


Zech


Levi


Zech & Ruth

Ruth, Isaac & Levi

all of 'em!
They have a neat waterslide down the hill to the beach...
Levi!

Ruthie

Isaac

Zech - splash!

and Zech on the tube - just trust me, he's one on there!
Everyone tried out the rock climbing wall!
Levi had to give it a shot, too


Zech helped him get started


with a little boost from Mommy he touched "the gingerbread man"

Ruth

this is as far as she could make it on that side

so she came to the other side (straight up) and had much better luck


all the way up! (and Isaac starting up)

Isaac

Zech - he's so good at this!

almost there!


ta da!

And lots of just playing around together
Zech & Isaac

Levi

Zech & Levi - these guys have always been good buddies


We came home yesterday after lunch and all had a good nights' sleep! This afternoon we had to pack up and take Zech back out to camp for his own week! He was so excited to go back!