Camping 09

At the beginning of August, we spent a week at the conference grounds with some of the other families from Providence. This is our second year doing this, and it was really fun! Charlie was at a great age, and he loved the beach! He didn't like the water so much as the sand! Each time we lugged a TON of toys, water, snacks, beach chairs, a beach umbrella, sunscreen and towels. We were quite a spectacle! But Charlie had a great time each time, so that's all that matters. He had fun with all the other kids there, and if I counted correctly, there were 17 kids in our group! That's a lot of kids to keep track of! We did lose a few a couple times, but they were only as far away as the playground. Steve got to enjoy the week this year with us too! Due to his job change, he was "in between" jobs that week! It worked out great! We had a great time as a family, and I can't wait to do it again next year!

It's been a while!

It has been a while since I posted on here, sorry!! Too much vacation! We have been at the cottage for three weeks, then we went to Sand Lake for a day. The weekend after that, we went to a family reunion in Iowa for the Jansen family. Then, the week after that we were at the conference grounds for a week camping. Phew! I'm tired just talking about it! Charlie has been busy too! He is growing up BIGTIME!! I have yet to catch him on video doing all his animal sounds that he knows! It is so cute, and I'll get it for all of you! In the meantime, he is just a busy boy! I'm posting a video or him on the beach with Steve at the conference grounds, cause it is so cute. I will post more later, but for now....here's a taste of cute!

Our "Youth group" tubing trip

Saturday, we went to Sand Lake. It was scheduled to be a youth group activity, and it was really popular last year, but no one signed up this year! So, the leaders and some of our friends went instead! We had a great time tubing and hanging out. Steve is and has always been a serious tuber, but Bruce found out how serious he was! He got crushed a few times by a flying tube (With Steve on it!) Bruce was also impressed by my tubing skills! I don't think he's ever seen a girl hold on for so long, I just wouldn't let go! Here's some of the high flying pics!

Back from the lake!

We are finally back from Barlow Lake! It's our yearly stay with Steve's parents. I took the first week off from work and then the next two weeks, because she is one of Charlie's babysitters, we stayed for most of them too! We talked it over, and we figured out we stayed all but two nights the whole three weeks! Whose vacation was it again? :-) Here's some pictures, enjoy!

As you can see, we had a great time! Charlie had a great time playing in the water with his cousins, and in the cottage too! We had great weather and we were always in great company. Next year is just too far away!

The Epitome of Lazy-ness!!

I found Charlie like this one day....

Lazy little thing!

(Cute though.)

My new favorite place

Charlie's new favorite place to play is in my easy-reach cabinet! I think that he likes that he fits into it without hitting his head. He just crawls in and plays with all my small kitchen appliances. Tonight, he only dropped the coffee pot once....That is the only thing that makes me nervous! I don't want him to break it! But nonetheless, he is very cute sitting in there! I won't fight him for that one, at least I know where to find him!

Who doesn't think that this is cute???

Our Garden

With the economy the way it is, and Steve's job loss this winter we decided to have a garden this year. It'll save money and we can have fresh veggies! After church this morning, we went out to check out the garden. We planted it on Memorial Day weekend, and already we had to pick beans! So I took out a bowl and started picking!! We have more than enough for supper, and we even got some sugar peas too! (which I already ate!) I'm sure that this garden will turn out to be a great investment.

Here's our first pickings!