It's that time of year again.

 When I bombard you with pictures of our camping trip. I cant begin to describe the beauty of this place. And though I spend every moment walking, swimming, biking, or hiking, I come back relaxed, refreshed, rested.

After every trip, I ask the kids (its good car ride home conversation) what their favorite part of our day was. If you were to ask me the same about this place I could not answer you.
I love the just hanging out at the campfire part...

And the bike riding, and salamander catching...

And the baby loving, and one on one talks with good friends...

The water, the rocks, and even better- the rocks in the water...

Watching friendships grow...

And, of course, Bugs.

A long walk with little company.

That didn't quite make it.

Waiting for a ride.

And "thumbing" a ride when daddy drove by.

Ready?

Our camping trip marks the end of the summer.The rush is on to finish up those summer projects and get ourselves ready for a little vacation. We're putting in some serious Math catchup hours, packing, list making, packing some more, getting the camera gear ready, cleaning up the yard, paying the bills...
There is just so much to do. I'll never get it all done. What should I do first?
                                            
                                                       Ah, forget it, let's just go for a ride.

Deb (who owns the barn where Kandeaux is) was kind enough to lend us a second horse so that I could go out on a trail ride with Courtney this afternoon. Kandeaux was at a barn that had no trails for 11 years and when we moved him to this barn, he was sick, then he got better and was feeling TOO good. Now he's finally settled down and back to his old self and finally, finally, I am able to get out there. It's been too many years that I've gone on any kind of trail ride. And now I get to go with my daughter.
                                              ...did my heart good.

Life around here

 We couldn't have asked for a better day. Kathy, Mom, Kassandra, Brenna, and Gianna and me and the kids loaded up a couple vehicles with a big cooler of cold drinks and a big box of snacks, bread, and peanut butter and jelly and hit the road.
We haven't gone in four years or so. Joshua and Grace had no idea what to expect.

 

 Grace LOVED the roller coasters! Hands in the air and everything. She rode every ride that she was allowed to.

Joshua was not as impressed...

Maybe we'll just watch.

 

Joshua decided halfway through the day that he was tired so he fell asleep standing up in the middle of the splash zone. Aunt Kathy scooped him up and snuggled a bit. Then he took a nice long nap on a bench. I am so thankful for such a flexible child.

 

 The happy crew.

 Love this- read the sign...