MEMORIAL WEEKEND SKIING

The weather was PERFECT for skiing...sadly I wasn't cleared to ski, but my kids were so I played spectator with Brady.

SUMMER IS HERE!  

I'm looking forward to many more days on Lake Sunapee...

MEMORIAL WEEKEND TRADITION

Every Memorial Weekend our family heads up to Vermont to camp at Camp Joseph.  It's been our tradition  for 12 years now and we LOVE it.

 We camp with lots of friends which makes it that much funner. :)

 It's a beautiful place with lots to do.  This pond is stocked with fish and Kaleb caught, gutted and ate his own trout.  I no longer will have to worry about him ever going hungry with his new found skills.

 One of our favorite places to visit while there is the Joseph Smith Memorial.

 I was worried about taking a baby camping but he was a PEACH!  And I had so many willing hands to hold and play with Brady while I cooked.

 There is no longer just "white" marshmellows available...they come in ALL kinds of flavors, including this pink peppermint mess left behind in the ashes.

 Stevie recently inherited my old camera and so I need to give credit to her for these photos.  I'm grateful that I can now delegate simple tasks.  She did a great job capturing our weekend.

 I slept in a cabin for the first time this year...figured it would be easier with a baby.  The girls and some girlfriends slept in the tent.

 Stevie and Brooke

 Stevie and Liz

 The Joseph Smith Monument.

 When you're camping, apparently there is no privacy. :)

This picture shall be titled..."HAPPY CAMPER".

 Bubby eating his trout for dinner, he did the whole process all by himself.

 And of course...what's camping without a round of "chubby bunny"?  Kaleb walked away winner with 14 marshmellows.

It was a tender weekend for me as Ben was on my mind lots.  I'm grateful we have this tradition because it's a good distraction otherwise.  Steve wasn't able to go with us this year, but we still had lots and lots of fun.  See you again next year Camp Joseph!

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME!

It's been a fun softball season with Kayla.  Today was her last game.  It was BEAUTIFUL out and Brady was happy to be in the sun.

 Kayla came over to smooch her brother before the game started.

 He loves that sister of his.

 Give this kid a snack and some action and he's all set.  I love watching him watch the game.  Cracks me up.

We'll miss softball, but thankfully there's a whole lot more of sunny days ahead! :)

MY LITTLE HELPER

CHRISTMAS IN MAY!

Remember that vacation we were supposed to take over April Vacation?  The one that we gave as a "Christmas Gift" on Christmas morning?  Well...there were a few reasons that the trip fell through, but we still had the money we were going to use towards that trip, money that was gifted to the children from their Utah Grandparents and Aunt Suzanne.  The kids really were in need of some summer clothing and so I decided to take them shopping.  We NEVER go shopping...we live on hand-me-downs.  So it was a treat for the kids to hit the mall today.  We started out at "Five Guys and Fries" where Kayla treated us to lunch from her gift card she got at Christmas time.  (thanks Kara!)

 It was YUM!

 I'm glad they don't have a "Five Guys" closer to where we live...I would have a hard time staying away.  Their burgers and fries are my favorite!

After our bellies were full, we hit the mall.  Brady was SO good the entire day.  It's hard work being royalty.  Everywhere we went people would stop and say how CUTE he was.  

(like I don't already KNOW that)

The kids tried on shoes...

 and perused the hair/nail accessory place...

 and bought some cute summer outfits.  They shopped until they dropped.

 Then it was MY turn!  Trader Joe's was right around the corner so I couldn't resist a stop to pick up some of my favorite things.

 And then we headed home...it was a long drive.  (up here in NH we have to drive far to get to a major shopping area)  We decided ice cream for dinner would be the perfect ending to a FUN day!

 Brady tasted all of the flavors, but he kept coming back to mine.  I think he likes me best. :)

 This boy deserved an A+ for his patience today.  It's not easy going shopping for a WHOLE day.  He moved from car seat to stroller to car seat to stroller many times and hardly complained.  I'm so grateful for such an amazing little boy.

Thank you Grandpa and Grandma Orton and Aunt Suzanne for Christmas in May!  It was lots of fun! 

xoxo