Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Lost Lake is Found!!!


We were finally able to get up to the mountains last week for a camp out.


Since we are new to the area we took a chance packing up the whole family (Scooter and Gin included) and drove until Lost Lake was became Found Lake(so the kids say).


We found a beautiful meadow to set up camp just a little ways from the creek.




We had a great time fishing and wading in the COLD water










































Our second morning there we woke up to rain! It soon cleared up and we were able to go for a ride up the mountain for a little exploring.










The sky soon grew dark again so we got cozy around the fire and roasted marshmellows again!
Eventually the rain started again and we ended up the tent. It drenched us!! The our tent leaked and soaked our bedding. We packed up and came home a day early. Oh well, the time we had was great!




Saturday, July 12, 2008

July Memories

Here our kids; Kayd, Rhett, and Shae show off the fruits of their labor...Our neighbor is paying them for every gopher they catch. They were so excited to find their traps full the first day. Of course, Shaun wasn't around to give a lesson in tail and trap removal, so guess who got to give that one!!!
This was at the beginning of Weiser's 4th of July Parade. I've seriously seen longer parades in Tropic!
Emri was amazed by the fireworks. She oohed and ahhed at everyone.
She also discovered the reason olives have a hole in them!
Shae is becoming quite the tomboy all of a sudden. She has taken up shooting BB guns, gopher trapping, bug squishing, etc. etc.













This is how we are all feeling after running and playing so hard. Too bad no one else has a driver's license!!!

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Family - Something to Think about during Summer Vacation


I ran into a stranger as he passed by, 'Oh excuse me please' was my reply.
He said, 'Please excuse me too; I wasn't watching for you.'
We were very polite, this stranger and I. We went on our way and we said goodbye.
But at home a different story is told, How we treat our loved ones, young and old.
Later that day, cooking the evening meal, My son stood beside me very still..
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down. 'Move out of the way,' I said with a frown.
He walked away, his little heart broken.. I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.
While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice came to me and said,
'While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use, but the family you love, you seem to abuse.
Go and look on the kitchen floor, You'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you. He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise, you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes.'
By this time, I felt very small, And now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed; 'Wake up, little one, wake up,' I said.
'Are these the flowers you picked for me?' He smiled, 'I found 'em, out by the tree.
I picked 'em because they're pretty like you. I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue.'
I said, 'Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today; I shouldn't have yelled at you that way.' He said, 'Oh, Mom, that's okay. I love you anyway.'
I said, 'Son, I love you too, and I do like the flowers, especially the blue.'
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.
And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think?
Just a thought from an email that got me thinking.. (thanks Steph)

Our Family

Our Family

Cute Kids

Cute Kids