Sunday Spotlight - the many faces of Raena Joy!

 This little pumpkin spent the weekend with us..

while her mommy and daddy had a 

fun weekend at IT WORKS Bootcamp!

 We had the best time ever!

This little tiny person talks more than any 2 year old 

I have ever known.

 And although she is tiny..

she has an adult sense of humor...

and timing.

Hilarious!

 She kept us mightily entertained.

 And very much on the go.

 She is a drawer emptier.

Who loves to color.

And dump out colors.

 She really really loves her "paci"

and her "baby".

And thank goodness we didn't lose either.

 She loves her yogurt...

aka "gogurt".

Such a happy little person!

 Who is growing up SO fast.

 Such a darling -
with her crazy curls and her expressive face.

Thanks for a FUN weekend Miss Rae!

We miss you already!

Sunday Spotlight....home sweet home

It feels great to be home.

But we all admit - it was a very fun and almost relaxing trip!

Highlights for me....

Love our camper.

We can dry camp.

We do not need BIG plans to have fun.

It was good to visit NE.

Love how the kids were interested..

in where I grew up.

Survived a water park.

Love going to movies with these 3.

Read an entire book.

Unplugged ourselves a bit.

Survived the bickering...and bantering.

Survived the fever virus.

No one got hurt.

And we had fun.

 This guy had a great time.

He has matured so much these past months.

And he can reach the camper door.

And "Despicable Me 2" was "hilarious".

 This socialite knew no strangers.

And loved all campgrounds that had kids to play ball with.

Got a bit bored and irritated when it was just "us".

(But would tell you he had a great time overall.)

This girlie just had a great time.

I think she loved everything.

She especially loved the evening we got to have Rae join us.

(even though she was VERY worried Rae

might break or "ruin" her doll stuff) LOL.

Shannon says it was one of his very favorite vacations.

I gotta say I missed the beach..

but I agree it was fun.

I loved having mom and dad stop for an

evening at our campground in Weston.

It was SO fun to just visit with them...

it seems like at home we are too busy!

Tomorrow real life kicks back in.

Back to daycare for kiddos.

(they are excited to see their friends!)

And a new job starts tomorrow for me.

I'm nervous and excited...

and sad to have left dear friends at my old job.

I feel like it will be a great fit for me...

and for us...

and I am anxious to get started!

Camping Vacation extravaganza 2013!

Tiny Dancers

I can't even believe I never got these dance pictures posted.

Time is flying by...

and I need to catch up!

How incredibly cute are these dancers anyway?

I certainly could not forget them!

These two dancers did an amazing job..

remembering their steps

and performing their routines with flair!

Happy Happy Birthday!

 Ayden is our built in birthday/special day alarm clock. 

He loves to celebrate people and remembers everyone's birthday...

even the moment he wakes up!

And today was a very special morning...

which he reminded us promptly at 7AM when he awoke!

Karyn's Birthday!

 All day long we were reminded that it was indeed a special day!

We went shopping after school 

and everybody picked out something special...

Dollar General style!

(I warned Karyn not to have her expectations too high!)

 We then met to celebrate...

deliciously Mexican style!

 We do love this very special person we were celebrating today..

and are so blessed to have her in our family.

 She is a gift to this little girl every day.

and the perfect partner for this special sombrero man.

We even got to celebrate with one of our favorite people -  John.

who is back from the military on leave.

(So proud of his dedication and perseverance!)

Hope this day was a memorable and fun birthday Karyn!

We love you!