Kumbaya and other campfire songs we didn't sing

I yi yi yi.....have I been neglecting my peeps. So so sorry. We've been just a tad busy this summer. Hard to believe it's been over a month since I've really written on the good ol' blog. Having Donovan home from work has been something very different for us to learn. The first 6 weeks were not so easy...then after his 6 week check, he was NOT released to back to work.
And has had another 4 weeks off. Although this last 4 weeks were mighty different from the first stint. He now has a walking cast/boot. This is much easier to get around with. His pain is getting better every day....and oh la la. Enjoying summer to the fullest with ol' daddy around. Donovan's next Dr. appt. will be 1 week from tomorrow. By the looks of how he is now able to be on his feet for over an hour at a time...looks like things will come to a halt as far as joy rides during the day, and the sleeping in for me is sure to be interrupted.

There are so many things that have happened in the last month...as in swimming lessons, VBS, Jack turning 8, celebrating Father's day, pool days, trips to Indy, Suzy turning 4, beach days, the list goes on & on. I'm determined to still blog about some of the things...maybe bore you all to tears with some of the things. But how will I remember if I don't blog??

So this past weekend we camped. Not only do we not have a camper, we also do not have a truck to pull a camper with.
So we borrowed a SwEeT camper from our friends Joel & Angela, then borrowed a rockin' Excursion from Al to pull the sweet camper. We also borrowed campfire wood from Donovan's parents, and to top it off borrowed Whitney for the weekend from her parents for Isabella. Thankfully we had our own underwear and clothes.

As soon as we got there Isabella & Whitney found 4 baby birds hopping around on the ground. They named them and played with them...while we set up.

Oops did I say "we" in that last sentence? I meant to say D. I have no idea how to set up a camper people.
This is what I took care of while he set up. Wasn't that nice of Whitney's mom to send along some of my favorite magazines for me??? AND...she also sent along mix & espresso to make frappucino's. Thanks Julie, you are so awesome!!

After setting up camp, I mean after D set up camp...we hit the pool for a little while, then I did something I've never done before. I used a blow dryer on Suzy's hair, & then used a straightening iron on it. Could not believe how long her hair looks when it's not all curly!!! I love how this girl loves to be "dolled" up. She kept patting her head and oh and ahh-ing over her smooth hair. She loved the extra attention.

Our friends who invited us have been making this trip for several years to this same campground. Nearby lies this awesome little restaurant, Marias. They make it tradition to set up camp and then go out to eat the first night. S0 we took the whole gang out & enjoyed leaving the mess for someone else to clean up.

Count em'. 11 kids, 6 adults. Kinda think the staff were a little taken a back with so many kids in one group.

No we didn't eat out again. Breakfast was over the camp fire people. :) Don't you love how the little guy at the corner of the picture is needing a drink??

Enjoying the camp pool again.

My little friends~Suzy, Jade, Ava, and Kiera.

It seems the first 3 pictures D took my eyes were closed each time~here's the one that I worked really hard to keep them OpEn! A little freakish, I know. But look at that sweet little pea I put to sleep. Can I get an Awwwww???

We also rented golf carts...which made for lots of fun.

So very very unusual for this little honey to fall asleep on my lap. But after a long day at the pool, she was worn out. I loved it!!!

After a long pool day~we cleaned up and I found these 2 peas in a pod, chilling. I love that they are friends and enjoy so many of the same things. :)

That evening after supper~we took the kids put put golfing. Can you believe this was the first time my kids ever went??

Love that belly laugh she makes me have.

Conner, Jade, and Suzy.

Someone wanted a picture of just him and his friend Jade. Awww...so sweet.

I kept looking at these girls and all their little giggles, and sweet faces and getting flash backs to growing up with a best friend from church. So cool to have had Whitney along to give Isabella someone her age to be with.

Contrary to what you may think...this color combo was not planned. Nope~ noticed it after the picture was taken. :) It was so good to get to know Loretta better over the weekend. She has a sweet personality, and is so fun to be around. Plus she's an awesome cook!!

So we were in charge of breakfast Sunday morning. We made pancakes, eggs, sausage patties........

....and put Conway in charge of the bacon. Good job of cooking it over the fire C.

After breakfast I bet you can't guess where we ended up???
More sun & water.
Loved watching the girls doing jumps together. Loved their little games they played.

Jack might have felt a little jealous at times...not having Isabella. But it was so good for Isabella to have such a sweet friend. And...it was so good for our boys to have lots of other boys to play with.

One last spin on the way home from the pool, before the cart had to be turned in. What a weekend...full of great memories.

Quote of the day:
Jack: "I fell, but I'm not hurt. Don't worry about good ol' me. "

who loves to camp?

I do!

Our church had their annual camp out this weekend. We had perfect pre-fall weather for being outside. I think we had about 150 or so there. Last year we had only been attending Siloam for about 2 months, when we went to the camp out. It was a great way to get to know your church family. This year was just as much fun. Learning to know people in a new way.

Uncle Sam & Uncle Dave

This was Saturday morning brunch. MMMMmmmmmmm.....eggs, ham, bacon, hashbrowns, rolls, toast, fresh fruit & juice and coffee.

Suzy had finally warmed up to Carla..after being in small group together for over a year. It was fun to see them enjoy each other.

Ahhh...Suzy and her friends Claire and Allison. So very fun to watch these girls trot around together. Suzy would wake up from her nap the following day and ask, "Where are my little friends?" Although she had lots to pick from...I caught these 3 together the most.

I loved listening to their 3 year old conversations. "Do you want to come in my camper?"

There were also some organized games for the kids and adults.

Noah hangin' with the girls.

Isabella with her cousin Shalie.

Such creative people I go to church with! Isn't this a fun game of fishing?

And a water balloon toss.

In the evenings Donovan's aunt and uncle would pop corn over the fire in a huge copper kettle. It was a highlight to watch and eat. Jack got to pass some out.

Friday evening dinner and Sunday morning breakfast was on your own. The rest of the other meals we shared as a church. It was such a well orchestrated event. Such great coordinators and so much fun. Loved it! Here we are just before our outdoor church service sharing breakfast in our borrowed camper. Loved the camper. Wish I would've got more pictures......my batteries went out just after this picture was taken. Some friends of ours let us borrow their Jayco camper complete with 4 BUNKS in the back and a queen bed for me and the hubby! It was so awesome!

After breakfast Sunday morning there was a neat baptismal service down in the lake, and 5 got baptized. It was a really neat and touching service. So cool to be outdoors and be able to enjoy such a beautiful morning. Then we shared a carry in lunch of make your own sub-sandwiches. Would have loved if it could have lasted one more day.


ALSO!
Thanks so much for all the great tips on siding colors! I'm pretty sure my blog has never seen so many comments on one post. You make me happy. I love all the feedback. I'm pretty sure we've got it "nailed down" on the siding color....and I will let you know by the end of the week.