"Awwwww...."

"You guys are soooooooo cute!!!".  I should have warned My friends that those are the words they would hear ALL DAY LONG when they asked me to take their engagement photos.  I warned them that I had no idea what I was doing and that I couldn't guarantee anything, but I didn't know they would be subject to my gushing all day long as well. 

I've known Justin and BreAnna since they were little kids (yes BreAnna, I remember you arguing with Sarah about who got to sit on my lap!), and it has been such an honor to be a part of their lives as the Lord has led them together.

Awwwwwwww!  I'm saying it again.  I just can't help myself!  They are sooooooooo cute!!!

Baby #3

I'm long over due with this update (of course pun intended!).  The third baby cousin to join us this year was born on July 1st and yes, IT'S A BOY!!!  With eight King grand daughters the first grandson was born to Benjamin and Melissa. 

Here is our ADORABLE nephew, Micah William.

I'm a heart broken auntie over here as I have yet to smooch this precious little boy.  We love you so much Baby Micah (or "Mitah" as Ella calls you!).

One more baby to come, but this time we know who's coming!  Andrew and Hannah's baby is due mid September and we can't wait to see this little blessing!

I Love Camping!!!

Last week we went camping.  Just our family and my sister, Anna.  It feels like it had been ages since we had been camping.  I love camping.  I think I could live in a tent and cook over a camp fire all summer long.  There is something magical about stripping away all of the "extras" in life and just enjoying every moment with the people I love most in the world.

Esther was just an infant last time we went camping so this was the first trip she was really "participating" in it.  She was a great little camper except for the fact that she did not like sleeping in the tent.  By the end of the trip I felt a bit like a zombie from lack of sleep.  A happy zombie though.

We camped up at Yellow Bottom which has a great water area.  Plenty of deep swimming with tons of shallow play space.  Also an endless supply of rocks to throw into the river.  The girls loved it and we spent two full afternoons at the river.  Miraculously no one got sunburned!!!

Camp life was great!  There were lots of trails to explore and great places for hide and seek.  The girls loved roasting marshmallows, riding bikes and drawing the trees around them.

There's nothing as great as a "Morning Bethany".  With her great big grins and her head of curls she makes every day start fabulously!

One of the best parts of camping for all of us are DOUGH BOYS!!!

My friend Theresa introduced them to be when I was a teen and now we have them for EVERY breakfast EVERY camping trip!

The most wonderful thing about camp is of course, spending such fun, quality time with my favorite people in the whole world.  Nothing brings me more joy then being with my family.

It was such a blessing to have Anna with us.  She is one of my best friends, a super Monopoly player and a great hair washer.  Yep, no showers.  Next best thing is a sister to wash your hair for you!

My favorite, FAVORITE part of camping was hanging out with my very best friend.  David left the day after we came home for a week of camp, so it was so precious to have this extra time with him.

As our family grows and our campsite fills up, camping in no way becomes more hectic and draining.  It become more fun and enjoyable every time we go as more and more of us catch the camping bug.  I can't wait until next time!

Drive By Posting!!!

Today is an example of drive by posting!!!!  After the conference we hit the ground running and the next couple of weeks are not slowing down much.  Last week we were,

Cleaning up the house...



Enjoying crazy hair day at VBS...

Eating pink oatmeal (food coloring makes everything more fun!)...

Rolling down the hill in a barrel with Daddy....

And learning to CLIMB!!!

In the next week we are planning on visiting great-grandparents, picking blueberries and raspberries, going grocery shopping for the month, painting the house, swapping the girl's bedroom, going to the parade, going camping, getting ready to send Daddy off to camp and stocking up on artichokes and chocolate to get Mommy through a week without Daddy.  We'll see what actually gets done!

During the summer months I am notorious for being scarce on my blog.  I'm hoping to do better this year, but we'll see how it goes.  Hopefully I will at least be drive by posting as often as I can!!!