Summer Camp '14

Every year they make it super special.

And this year was no exception.

Andrew and Parker in the 'Climbing Tree'

 

Grandpa helped them build their own benches to take home.  Once we get ours home and placed in the perfect spot, I'll share another photo with you!

 

Summer Camp at the Farm of 2014 was one that will go down in the memory banks of these four cousins as the summer they made a water bed, painted benches, built their own benches, tie dyed shirts, made daily visits to the climbing tree, built an eagle's nest, worked in their 'workshop', took care of the goats, checked (and harrassed) the chickens, ate popsicles, had a campfire and cooked hot dogs and s'mores (almost every night), read in the hammock, played ninjas, checked on grandma's garden, and many other activites that I don't even know about.

Parker discovered the art of reading to himself during his time at Summer Camp!

One of the benches they paint every year...

 

 

Cousins enjoying popsicles!

Cameron is showing the bench that he and Andrew painted.  Don't they look alike?!  I love their similarites...espeically their hair!  And, Andrew is in the background of this photo chasing the chickens.  One of his favorite farm activities!

Parker and Cooper painted the other bench.  As the 'big brothers' of the cousins, they stick together.

The four boys had another amazing summer at the farm.

 

 

Andrew's favorite napping spot...

Boys in the Climbing Tree...

Another one in the Climbing Tree.  I can't believe how grown up Cooper is getting!

Getting the campfire started.

Before they could paint the 'old' benches, they had to clean them...

We love this tradition.

Cooper's favorite reading spot.

Parker's favorite reading spot.

Andrew loves his dogs.  Cherokee is his snuggle buddy!

What is it with boys and a campfire?!

Andrew and Cooper napped together one day.

This is my Ninja, Andrew.

Cameron's favorite napping spot.

And, here he is doing acrobatics on the hammock!

 

My two {biker} guys. Ha!

Andrew is working in his 'workshop'.

Can you tell they are having the best time?  Look at their smiles...their crazy bandannas...they are in boy heaven for sure!

My {biker} dude being the foreman of the group.

Parker being a goofball...as usual.

Andrew admires Cooper so much!  We love our cousins!

This is one of the sweetest pictures I've seen of these four...

I wonder what they're talking about?!

Andrew and Cameron are picking potatoes.

Ninjas!

Living the farm life!

Thanks grandma and grandpa, for making this time in their lives so special and for making Summer Camp 'at the Farm something they look forward to every year!

Off the Grid...Day #5

I've now been off of Facebook for more than 5 days.

It's funny how something so mundane was consuming so much of my time.  I had some pretty set in habits with being on Facebook....on my phone while eating breakfast....when I turned on my computer at work...when I wanted to look up someone's whereabouts...when I had an awesome selfie on my phone of me and my kids...checking in at the  movie theater on a date with the hubs...showing off my kids having the time or their lives at Summer Camp at the Farm...haivng dinner with friends...it seems like every aspect of my life was being thrown out there for my Facebook friends to see.

I haven't done any of that.  I feel like I've conquered something and I imagine this must be what it feels like to loose a lot of weight or quit smoking.  And, while a little part of me feels like I may be 'out of the loop' with some of my friends, I've re-discovered the art of texting or calling my friends to see what's going on with their lives.

Something else that's funny...how much I don't miss Facebook.

As I was doing some research this morning {another re-discovered hobby of mine}, I found this article from the Huffington Post about why more and more people are ditching Facebook.  A lot of this relates to me.  So, I had to share it.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/30/reasons-quit-facebook_n_4493791.html

I've been hearing from more and more friends lately that they too wish that social media was not so accessible.  It's a love-hate relationship that is at our fingertips every second of the day. 

It's been encouraging to know that I'm not the only one going through this, but what's even more encouraging is that I don't feel like I'm missing out by not logging on to Facebook.  I don't feel like I need to check it 10 times a day or even once a day!  It's refreshing to know that I can go back to the good ole days and go without technology for the evening...or do something worthwhile, rather than sit there on the computer, wasting another 20 minutes.

Here's how I've filled my time...laundry, making cookies, running with the dog, doing sit-ups, snuggling my kiddos, snuggling the hubs, planning an anniversary trip, planning a camping trip, playing baseball, and the list goes on and on and on.  I feel amazing about this.

Now...I've gotta go!  Running to the grocery store to get lake food for the weekend!

Happy Monday!

Playin' Ball

{I'm just now getting around to posting this....from the first week of July.  Please tell me summer will slow down soon?! Ha!}

Whew!  What a week {and a half}.

For the past 10 days I've had a little dose of what single parenthood is like....it's hard.  Tiring.  Stressful.  And, if you feel like there aren't enough hours in the day as a pair {like I often do}, then try doing it alone.  It isn't for me, I tell ya.

In the past 10 days, we've had 6 baseball games, 5 days of VBS, piano lessons, swimming lessons, bike rides, movie nights, swimming parties, play dates, and lots and lots of summer fun.  While we've missed dad, we managed to squeeze every ounce of summer out of these days that we could...and we are lovin' it.

**Let me just say that I packed our days so full of activity and fun that we wouldn't have time to think much about missing Brandon....and for the first 7 days it worked.  Days 8, 9, and 10...we were missing him like crazy!

And, while we've got all of this goin' on, let me tell you about our favorite summer time activity.

Playin' ball.

These boys love baseball.

And, for this guy this year...something clicked.

It's like he knows just what to do.

He's makin' plays, hitting home runs, and making some major baseball memories this summer.

He's so in to baseball this year that he will get his uniform on, pack his bat bag, and make sure his water jug is filled before every game.  He'll lug that bag of his to the dugout, find his favorite spot to hang it, and get everything situated just right...all without anyone asking him to do so.

He loves it so much that he's signed up to play another season of rec baseball in July.  And, he can't wait to get started again!

And, this guy....

Well, let's just say he likes hitting the ball and running the bases the best.

Oh, and playing in the dirt.

And his buddies. {Every player on his team was a friend and we were so excited to play with these great friends!)

And his uniform.  When he puts on that sweet little uniform...he stands a little taller and is so proud of himself.

I mean, look at him.  Isn't he the cutest baseball player you've ever seen?!

Andrew had a great first season of ball.  His teammates were all friends and they {and their parents} had fun this summer!

This being a mom of boys who play baseball gig is new to me.  The boys have always just kind of been the non competitive kids who just want to do something that's fun.  But, not anymore.  They're into it and I'm excited to see where this ambition and drive takes them in years to come!