It was a "terantula" storm ~ and we survived!

The Marottek crew came up to camp out/fish/hang out.

They got a fabulous spot by Beulah Bay.

Justyn, Chuck & the 5 oldest kids camped out.

 Mine Svester & I stayed at our house with the "babies"

 us with "the babies"

 There was a storm brewing, so we quickly threw everything we needed to into the tents & went & got in our vehicles, Chuck drove up the hill with Charlie.
Steph & I were in the Escalade with all the little kids.  Justyn was in his truck.

The rain came hard & fast. 
I said "hmmm, I wonder how well Chuck has his boat up on the shore"
Then we giggled a bit & looked back at the boat, it was about 10-15 feet from the shore, we could not get it.
so we watched as it floated out into the lake.
Further & further away.
Then it hailed for a minute.
When it stopped we got out to survey the damage & found this:

 And TONS of water.

 The 3 middles had a blast playing in the mud & water & making a waterfall down the hill.

 Who said camping wasn't fun?

 See that white spec over there? That's how far away the boat floated.

 muddy kids

 my best girl & me

 the 3 amigos

 My love & I

" See mom, I got dem"

 Sidney wanted to play in the water too

 and splash with sticks

 Chuck got a ride out to his boat from a friendly fellow boater.  Such nice people.

 Sidney was wondering what was going on.

 Pretty girl

 photo bomb.....and dirty kids

 HE MADE IT BACK

 Charlie even had fun getting muddy

 MUD

 sneaking up on the muskrat

 .Reading all the kids some bedtime stories

 AND they're out!

THOR's first adventure!

The kids were excited for our 1st adventure camping!

We haven't camped since Cayden was about Sidney's age!

 Getting ready to pull out of town!

 It was supposed to be a rainy weekend, but we were prepared to have fun regardless of the rain!

 This little man was in heaven playing in the mud/dirt with these trucks & his army guys!

 We had fun relaxing!

 Beau, Prestyn & Cayden played here for a LONG time!

 Sidney fell in love with Jiggles.  She spent ALOT of time talking to her, petting her & giving her belly rubs.

 I think Jiggles liked Sidney too!

 Sidney also loves Kole!

 Cheesy grin cause it's time for FOOD!

 more cheesiness!

 & Mr. Sly!

 Prestyn loved on Roxy!

 Our first breakfast in the camper = crambled eggs & toast!

 We spent some time in Kerry & Heather's camper!

Watched movies, ate the WORLD BEST POPCORN (thanks Heather)

and just hung out!

 Heather & I got some knitting in!

 During naptime Cayden & I spent some time playing games!

 Then when everyone was awake it was rainy so we put on a movie!

 Me & the main man!

 Heather & I went for a little walk on Sunday when it was warming up.  There was steam coming off of everything.

 Just cause he's cute!

 Cayden getting a new stash of seeds.

 Heather & I...Phase 4 or 5??

 Sidney stayed busy picking "flowers"

 Sidney & her new friend Eli gave Jiggles some love!

 Sidney was a stinker & didn't want to sleep (the boys passed out after about 2 minutes)

So she got lucky & got to sit by the bonfire with us!

 She liked it!

We had a fun first camping trip! We're hoping for better weather on our next trip, and are anxious to plan our new one already!

THOR is headed out!

Well it's our maiden voyage with THOR!!

YAY We're so excited for the weekend.  After much deliberation over our CAMPERs name,

with suggestions like :Seraphina, wolfy, singy, flying up in the air like a kite & the camper that rules the world.

Pinterest for a Purpose!

A friend of mine is putting on this great fundraiser for the National Multiple Schlerosis Society!

Each month she's picking a pinterest project & everyone who RSVP's pays $20 & comes for a night of fun & making a project.  The proceeds all go to the NMSS.

I made this for our bathroom.

 It ended up matching my bathroom perfectly!

I love it!

& Love that the $ goes to a good cause!

Our Summer 2012

So I've been thinking alot about this summer & wanting to be very intentional about the things we are doing with the kids. 
I found (through a FB friend's link - thank you Patty M) this listing of 100 kids books.

We revamped the list slightly (no christmas stories & none with the word STUPID in them, and a few others came out) and made a goal of reading 100 (or more) books this summer.

Cayden has 89 days off from school.

I'm thinking I should have a prize for them if we hit 200 or 150 or something like that.

Anyways...I made this "calendar" to track the books we've read & the things we're doing.

I also got this awesome June/July calendar from thriving families that has a bunch of awesome ideas on how to incorporate bible verses into your daily activities with your children.

I can hardly wait to start doing these with them!!

I have a few other ideas I"m working on for activities, so we can stay somewhat structured & under control.  I realize it'll be different when J's on days off or we're hitt'n the pool in the afternoons, but I want these little people to have a AWESOME summer & learn biblical truths as well as school type stuff in the midst of our fun!!

If you have links to resources or ideas for summer fun with kids LINK ME UP!!



MUSTACHE!

The boys got these Mustache tatoos out of a machine.

We finally used them!

BWHAHAHAAH



Tea party for 3!

What's my girl doing when it's quiet?

Well having a tea party with her babies of course!

She had all the food & plates set up & was feeding them!

So sweet!