More Camping!

Shem and the girls just did their annual father daughter campout.

Luckily Jarem is still young enough that he doesn't know

what's going on.
Next year I'll start doing something special with Jarem.

The girls love their time with DAD!

SMITH FAMILY CAMPOUT!

Every year there is a Smith Family Campout.

It's usually up the mountains but this year we changed it up.

We spent three days at Lake Palisade.

We camped in style (in a GREAT TENT TRAILER).

We played in the water, went hiking, played in the kayaks,

ate good food, played games, told stories, sang camp chants, 

and had a funny face contest.

It was a ton of fun, but the trip home was an adventure!

 Our camp site.

 Our morning hike. The view from the top!

Climbing trees.

Swimming!

Snuggles with Aunt Shay.

The four bros - then and now.

The first picture was taken 10 years ago! 

The whole group - mostly.

Playing in the back of the truck.

Who knew it could be so fun.

After all the good times - we had some trouble.

On the way home we stopped for a tire blow out.

Only it wasn't a tire blow out.

It was a snapped wheel axle on the trailer.

Luckily Shem is resourceful and after rigging things up,

we were able to drive a little more.

Uncle Mitch and Uncle Petey came to the rescue.

So close yet so far away - only an hour from home.

After about four hours the trailer was fixed

and we were off again.

Thanks everyone for the good times and the help!!

We sure love our families.

Sad Day

It's a sad day when you realize that you forgot your camera.

The girls have been taking swim lessons
and today was their last day.

Bad mom - no pictures, but they sure loved it.

Shem is almost done with summer school.

We have a few other summer events coming up.
Another chance where I can take pictures.

Fathers and Sons Campout

Shem took Jarem on his first Father and Son campout.

I thought that he was too little but Shem said he would be just fine.

I was worried that Jarem would start crying and want his mom.

Nope - not a single tear was shed. (At least that's what I was told)

Jarem came home Happy and smiling.

Dad was smiling too.

My baby boy is growing up way to fast!

While the boys were away - the girls got to play.

We made treats, painted nails, had a movie night/slumber party.

No pictures because I gave Shem the camera.

Feeding the Ducks

Part of our Summer Schedule is a bike ride early each morning.

We leave just after breakfast and we ride for an hour.

Nothing major but it get us going in the morning.

When we have crusty bread, we like to stop and feed the ducks.

The ducks will come right up to them and get some bread.

It's great cheap entertainment.

Good summer time fun!

Camping at Papa's.

After a bunch of work doing a Fundraiser Yardsale
for a dear sweet friend with cancer

- it was time for a quick trip before Shem started summer school.

We went camping at Papa and Judy's house.

My dad loves old cars - he's obsessed with them.

His friend let us go for a ride in an old Model A Car.

 Papa also took the girls for a ride in the Hot Rod.

We played in the water, had smores, helped Papa with projects,
and went on four wheeler rides.

It wouldn't be camping at Papa's without fishing.

Abs was the only one to catch a fish.

Thanks Papa and Judy for a fun summer camping trip!

Finally a minute to blog!

We have gone from one event to the next for the past little while.

Some fun and some not so fun. This post should catch us up!
The girls had a play performance at the end of April.
The play was "Winnie The Pooh".
Maddie was a narrator, Abs was a flower, and Emmie was a skunk.

These little girls loved being in the play.
To bad they only do it once a year.

May was crazy busy!

We started the month with mothers day.
A few short days later Shem's Dad passed away.

Shem with his brothers.

Goodbye Grandpa - we love you!

This life really is short and God truly is in control of our lives.
After the funeral it was time for school to end.
The girls had crazy hair day at school.

They had class parties and field day as well.
The kick off to summer started with a sleepover at Grammy's.
Summer is here and it's getting hot!!
I know our new little pool will be used a ton.