Camping!!

We got to go camping with the Austin family this past weekend... and oh boy were my boys excited.  James started just saying, "Camping!" every now and then before we left, while we were driving, during the trip, on the way home - guess our little guy loved every minute.

We rented a camper so our nap schedules and bedtime would go a little smoother.  First night: really rough.  Second night: not so bad.  Third night: camping pros.  (haha, meaning the boys both slept without having to be in our bed, and through the night)

Hayden was cracking me up- after a long day of getting ourselves there and all set up, the boys were a little wired before bed.  Hence, the James-take-down by Hayden. :-)

James could not wait to see his Papa.  Mostly all he said on the way to the camp ground was, "camping!" & "Papa?"

Ah, Papa.

Ride Papa's bike??

Hayden was looking forward to some Grammy snuggles.  He was not disappointed.

Ole Roo went with us- he was in hog heaven all buried in leaves.  Can you say Camouflage?

When Madeline and Corrie arrived, James was totally excited.  This was him grabbing Madeline by the hand and saying... "Madeline come??"

Auntie Brie had to spoil my sweet girls with a fun new tee because I knew they would be 'happy campers' and my boy sure does love his George (so I thought they would too).  They were definitely 2 happy campers.

Here they are with my happy little camper.

And, last but not least, all four of the little campers.  Even Hayden had his own 'happy camper' onsie.

Oh my.  Both my boys & me.  Camping does the body good.

This just says: energy.  wow.

a nice walk with daddy/Uncle Matt.

Diggin' some rocks.

baby kisses for cousin Madeline.

We got to take a nice hike with the boys and take out both hiking packs for the first time.

Here we are: all four of us.

wrapping up our fun with snack time with Grammy.

baby snuggles with Auntie Christina.

Whew.  Made it home and had some snuggles.  Had a great time with our family- ate good food, sat around the fire, hung out in the rain, got to chat chat chat.  All around a nice weekend away in the woods.  Thanks everybody for coming.

sunny days sweeping the clouds away...

Oh Hayden, what a face.

heh?

Takin' our boys to see the animals at Lazy 5.

Favorite animal = giraffes.

Front porch swingin' with Daddy.

James' new favorite: Curious George wall 'stickers' - which he counted every morning and every night for several days in a row.  Loved listening to him learning to count...

Waking up is hard to do.

Sand box baby.

exploring together.

playing trains together.

hanging out in their playroom together.

A little shopping trip with Addie.

Shopping suddenly got really fun.

"Is this seat taken?"

don't mind if I do.  mine?? haha.

The sweet, random, eclectic, scattered, precious.  Sometimes life goes by so fast that it is refreshing to stop and look back at even the nonsensical snapshots which capture the joy in my life.  I am so grateful for these moments and all the more that are never captured in film.

love the fire fighter pjs

The Baby Gap wishes their model was this unbelievable cute.

unbridled.

bliss.

a little of this & that...

I do love a little of this.

aaand a little of that.  James loves hanging out with his buddy Addison.

I seriously love this.  My boy in his fire fighter pjs & his daddy's fire helmet.  CCFR baby.

oooo and a little of that.  Daddy & James playing some tunes.

Can't resist a little of this.  Daddy & Hayden snuggle time after a nice afternoon nap...

Could just eat up a little of that...

My guys.  Thomas t-shirts and all.

aaahh.  A little of this will make it all alright.

a little snap happy.

I seem to be a little snap happy lately.  Just can't help clickin' away- our little guys playing in the park on Easter Sunday afternoon.

James' first self initiated friendship.  This little boy and he played ball.  This little guy talked a mile a minute and James just squealed laughter and loved every minute.  He even learned to play swords with sticks.  yes sir.

Our own little Easter egg hunt in the back yard with Daddy.  Full speed ahead- full steam ahead.  Ready, set, go!!

Easter eggs on the slide...

Daddy & his buddy Hayden.

spring time flowers & folksy christian kids tunes playing for breakfast time... sweet time with my little guys.  Can't wait till we can all sing together.

Still working on counting all moments as blessing - with thanks - even the ones that taste bitter.  Some moments are easy, and other seem so hard.  Job 2:10 "...Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"  Whether the 'trouble' seems large or small, can I not count it all joy- can I not be thankful for what I have been given today?  Thank you Father for all your good gifts today- none of which I deserve but all speak to me of your love for me.