Someday

We returned last evening from a weekend of visiting my brother's family in Ohio. We had a great time together.

Someday I will get a decent picture of all the kids.  Not sure when that someday will be.  For now, the best I got is this:

If you are confused by this photo, don't worry, I am too.  I'm not exactly sure how this happened.  Josiah wanted nothing to do with being in the picture and we had resorted to trying to get this kids to jump or be silly.  Looks like a bit of both.  Steve decided that the only way to get Jojo in the picture was to throw him him.  Even though this is far from the perfect shot, I still love it.

11

This past Sunday our dear Morgan turned 11.  She was SO EXCITED that this year was her golden birthday.  I had never heard of a golden birthday up until a few years ago, so in case you are like me and don't know, it's the year that you turn the age as the date of your birthday.  So this year, Morgan turned 11 on August 11.

I typically give my kids a birthday party only on certain years and this was not Morgan's year.  But she convinced me that she had to do something because of this special birthday.  Her desire was a sleepover in the tent in the backyard with a few special friends.

Morgan has been saving her own money and finally had enough to buy a hammock.  

The girls had so much fun with these pictures.  We tried over and over and I could not get a shot of them all with their hair up at the exact time.  

Morgan requested cheesecake with raspberries from our garden.

Camping Roundup

These camping pictures seem to be going on forever so here is the final of them.

Supper on the porch

 Caught these 2 sharing their lollipops.  So cute.

Grandma giving each of the grandkids spending $$ for the candy store.  That is a good grandma!

Breakfast around the fire.  Seriously, wish I could do that every morning.

Once again I have an uncooperative son

Come on Chad, let the baby go first.

Catching up on her morning news

Donuts faces

In case you were wondering, we eat VERY healthy when we are camping.

Roundup

 I was looking back through my pictures from this summer and realized there were so many that I never posted.  This is my random roundup.

My cousin and dear friend Shannon just had another beautiful baby girl.  Seriously, she has the cutest babies!  

Miss Violet Mae.  Oh, I want to eat her!!!  

My aunt and uncle who live next door had ALL 7 OF THEIR GRANDSONS for a week.  They are very brave.  I got a few shots for them and their very active crew.

This was the first year that Claudia got to go to our church's Youth Camp.  She was so excited and had such a great time.

Tent mate and friend, Madison

Gaga ball.  The new craze

The last night of camp they had an open mic for kids to come up and share what God had done in their heart that week.  I was so proud of my girl for being brave enough to go and share.  I just couldn't resist a pic, she's in the center in the green shirt.

Youth camp carnival getting set up under the full moon.  Very pretty.

Our sweet friend/counselor Janelle.

This is what happens when your sister is in charge of you.  You get stuck in the stuffed animal bin and turned into a cool dude.

Claudia got green bands at her last appointment.  She is hopefully getting them off next month!

I took pictures for my good friend Tricia and her family.  She has been teaching my older girls piano this past year and I have been loving the chance to reconnect with her again.

Claudia's ballet recital

I love to watch her rollerblade, she's a natural

Jojo helping grandma clean up my flower beds