A Very... Interesting Camping Experience

Friday was the day we decided to head out on a camping adventure. Saturday was the day of severe sleep deprivation and delirium...
Here we are thrilled for the adventure; back when we didn't know how the night would turn out.
Justin started the fire! (It was always burning since the world's been turning...)

That night we had the most delicious shish kabobs ever!

Kristy had an accident... But just with the barbecue sauce.

Yummy!

We had to shine the flashlight on the food to see if it was done because it was so dark. Sophie loved helping with this job... I'm pretty sure at least one of us ate undercooked chicken that night...

Then it was night... This was when the intense winds kicked up and never stopped. It was windy Friday which is why we only set up this one tent. It was an 8 man, and it was dark, and we didn't want to set up another tent; so we made it into a slumber party. Only the slumber part was missing from the equation. The tent walls blew in on us all night to the point that we felt we were going to be consumed by the evil beast.

The next morning we heard people talking around our tent. We were pretty sure they were laughing at us. When we got out, we understood why...

We intended to swim and canoe the next day, but the extreme lack of sleep left us with little energy for that. Not to mention it was still rather cold...

Sophie spent much of her time transferring sand from the beach....

Into the water. It kept her very amused. (Don't worry, we kept a close eye on her at all times.)

The girls

And the final taking down of the tent. Oops it appears we took it down with Simon still in it...

We stopped by my parents house for a quick visit and to play with their kittens. Oh, they are so cute!

Despite a rather long night with no sleep, the camping trip was an absolute blast. It's definitely an experience we will remember for always.

That afternoon we attended Tucker's birthday party. Sophie had so much fun!

They even let her help beat the pinata with the stick!

And while Tucker was opening his presents, she took off with his two biggest ones.

And this is a random picture of Sophie from today. It was a huge laundry day for me, and Sophie spend a good amount of time hanging out in one of the bins. She's so cute!

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

At the end of summer last year, I bought several kites for pennies each, and I have been so excited to use them this year. I'm not sure what it is, but flying kites reminds me of childhood. A few Saturdays ago, we headed to the park, and the day was perfect!
Here is Justin putting together our rather fancy kite!

And then it was my turn to fly the kite.

The ice cream man came by, and we got some delicious treats to help cool us off. Sophie loved it! (She was supposed to be sharing with me, but as you can see, she wasn't keen on that idea.)

We ended up at the playground for a little while, and Sophie was terribly upset when it was finally time to go home. It doesn't matter if we spend hours and hours at the park, she is always upset when leaving time comes.

We had Justin's family over for a Mother's Day dinner last Saturday. My in laws got me this fantastic present. I'm not sure what this face was about...

The Gang

I got a scentsy thing. I love it! My house smells fabulous now!

Last Thursday we got to go to a Brian Regan concert! Justin's work took us. We got to sit on the fifth row! Thanks to Simon and Kristy for watching Sophie!

Here is just a random, very cute picture of Sophie in my sunglasses. She put them on her head just like Mommy!

And here is an out-of-order picture of us from Mother's Day!

Mothers,

"Yours is the work of salvation, and therefore you will be magnified, compensated, made more than you are and better than you ever have been as you try to make honest effort, however feeble you may sometimes feel that to be. ... Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish the role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones.... The very fact that you have been given such a responsibility is everlasting evidence of the trust your Father in Heaven has in you.... If you strive to love God, if you try your best to be the best parent you can be, you will have done all that a human being can do and all God expects you to do.... Remember, remember all the days of your motherhood: 'Ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.' Rely on Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever. And 'press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope.' You are doing God's work."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "Because She is a Mother," Ensign, May 1997