Beach day

My kids - and I - love going to the beach. Today started with more rain but ended beautifuly. I packed up our beach stuff and a small picnic and we headed out.
Ben wouldn't leave home without his tackle box and fishing pole. I never expected he would catch anything worth commenting on but, I was wrongHe caught 2 large carp using soggy corn chips for bait. All of the children around were so excited to see someone catch one of the fish that swim around with them in the lake. Ben released both fish and the swam away quickly. Sydney was a proud little sister!

Camping?

We had been planning to go camping for weeks and as it came closer to the big day...the weather didn't look so good. We met up with 3 other families at a local state park on friday afternoon and had plans to stay until sunday.

I didn't take any pictures on friday night because I thought I had 2 more days to capture the perfect photos....I was wrong.

On Sat morning we all woke up to have pancakes (thanks Michael!) and then shortly after we ate it started to rain. Those of us camping in tents decided we had better pack up. It rained all day! but instead of just heading home we all went together and hung out at the Millers home (8 adults and 10 kids). We all stayed for lunch, games, naps and then dinner! We had such a great time will everyone. We are so thankful for so many amazing friends

Here are some pictures of us "camping".

Blog Hobby

I started this blog about a year ago (maybe more) and I am wondering...Is anyone out there? I just went through and noticed that I have only had one comment in the past few months and maybe less than 5 ever.

I realize that I read alot of blogs and never comment so I intend to do so more often but if I am only writing to myself than maybe I should just stop my blog.....

Does anyone actually read this blog? if so comment so I know...otherwise I may just be done with this 'hobby'

Holiday weekend

We have had a great holiday weekend. It all started on thursday evening when we had dinner with friends (Mandy and Michael, Stacey and Blaine and all of our kiddos). Stacey and Blaine came from Indianapolis and we all met up at Mandy and Michaels house. I would share some pictures but...I forgot my camera. Anyway, we had an awesome time visiting and playing with the kids and we ended our evening with a trip to Plainwell for Ice cream. (I just watched)

Friday we headed back to Richland for the 4th of july parade and then we went to a Party given by our friends Shawn and Kristin... once again I would love to share pictures but I forgot my camera. The kids had a blast playing and swimming and Chris and I also had a fun afternoon with all of our friends.

On friday evening Grammy had Ben and Sydney come to her house for a sleep over. Since we were kid-less, Chris and I went on a little last minute date. We went out to dinner (and were able to eat outside!) and then we went and visited some friends. We skipped out on the fireworks mostly because we are getting old and tired.

Sat the kids and I headed to Eagle lake with my mom for a day at the beach. You will never guess but...thats right, no pictures because I once again forgot my camera. (not sure what is wrong with my memory lately) We stayed at the beach for about 4 hours. We were so tired after that but there is still more. When we got home our good friend Aunt Shell called and invited us over for an old 4th of july tradition of swimming and fireworks with the Thayer/ Barry-Lambert family! We stayed until 10:30 (we never do that with the kids!!) and once again had such a great time.

Sunday morning we were up bright and early (Like we could ever sleep in around here) and headed to church. Ben and Sydney wanted so badly to do something fun again so I agreed to head back to Eagle lake for the evening. We called our friends Michelle, Jerry, Noah and Lindsey and asked them to join us. The kids were able to catch 20+ minnows with their nets and the were on the go non stop. This time I remembered the camera!!!!

This is Ben, Noah and Lindsey (Syd was too busy swimming to come in for the picture)

Here are all 4 of the children packing up to leave - Sydney decided to join us in this picture

I hate to have all of the fun end but I am back to work already. I have bids to type, bills to pay and menus to plan!

We have been so very blessed to have so many friends and family around us.

Thank you Jesus for the many blessings you have given me and my family!

Makes you think

We had a strong rain storm here last wednesday night and we lost our electricity for a couple of days. I went to bed on Wed night fully prepared to wake up to a house full of electriclity or as Sydney likes to call it - Lightricity.

We still had water, even hot water, just no lights, tv, stove, computer, well you get the idea.
My children found it to be an adventure at first but when they woke up on Thursday morning and couldn't watch TV before breakfast or feed their Webkinz they seemed lost. It took Ben a couple of hours to figure out what to do with himself and this is what made me think...

I thought I was doing a good job limiting TV/computer time but apparently I am not. I get focused on my office work and I don't realize how long I let them watch tv or play games. It was so nice to not have the background noise or to have people 'discussing ' what they should watch or play. It was so nice to see Ben play with some toys or games that he hadn't touched in weeks. It is so easy to fall into the habit of letting them watch just one more show or play just one more level so that I can get just one more bid typed for Chris.

I am going to work very hard this week to take time out of my busy day to get Ben and Sydney involved in some more activities that don't require a remote or a mouse!