Birthday Camping

 

After the birthday party, we actually stayed the night and went camping!  The Bebers camped with us for our annual “Bebarkation”.  Here we are on a hike, where we found a troll bridge.

They had to solve the riddle before Troll Adam would let them cross!

Me…Tree Wrestling….apparently a favorite pasttime of Adam’s?  You learn something new every day.

Big Foot came out of the woods…the kids doing their best to capture him!

Jonah, Caleb and Camron monkeyin’ around.  We had this really great tree right beside our campsite that reminded me of a tree out of Lord of the Rings or something.  It had vine-like branches and I was just waiting for it to talk to me or reach down and grab someone.  The kids loved it and even at the birthday party it was the center of entertainment.  Of course the boys spent most of their time conquering the different branches of the tree.  Simple fun.

I didn’t get any pictures of the tents or anything.  Not sure how I missed that one.  We had such a great time, so relaxing.  The kids just enjoyed simple fun:  Shadow shows in the tent at night, playing with flashlights, eating giant marshmallows, sleeping in sleeping bags, climbing trees, hide and seek, makin’ up random games, all while getting really dirty and not having to take a bath…A kid dream.  And no electronics involved – imagine that!  I think we all let life get way too complicated sometimes, and need to just stop and appreciate the simple pleasures that God has given us.  Good friends (and family), good food & good surroundings!

Hannah’s 3rd Birthday

Well, I definitely have a 3 year old little girl now!  We had a wonderful birthday yesterday.  We started off by taking a picture with her Tangled Cake…it had slowly become the leaning tower of Rapunzel and I was afraid it might not make it until the party that night, so I thought it best to document the temporary success.
We started off the day by heading to the Star Nails….I had a gift card that I’ve needed to use for a couple of months, so Hannah and I both got our nails done.  She got to pick out her colors which were a surprising pink and purple.  She specifically showed them that she wanted “Pink, then purple, pink, then purple”.  The nail lady gladly obliged her opinionated customer and alternated the colors.  Hannah is a girl who knows what she wants!

Next, we picked up Gigi and headed to Kid to Kid, a really great consignment store in McKinney.  Hannah was so proud to walk through the “Kids Only” door.  She got to pick out some very cute outfits.  She was a trooper when we tried them on too.  I think she’s already a shopper at 3!

That afternoon we headed to Bonham State Park for her birthday party.  She invited a few of her 3 year old girl friends, and of course their families.  Here are Lilly and Olivia.  Checkin’ out the seashells on the lake beach!

Just Hangin’ around with Olivia!

Hot Dogs were on the men for the party….lots of kiddos havin’ a great time!  Cheetos, lemonade and hot dogs….what kid could ask for more?

Princesses Lilly, Via, and Hannah with their “Tangled” hair!

Make a wish….I wonder what a 3 year old wishes for?

Happy Birthday to my precious girl….you will always have my heart!

This picture was taken while Adam & the kids were hiking…I was on a Women’s Retreat! (Not sure why Jonah's eyebrows look white??)

What a beautiful day we have been blessed with today! Crisp, cool fall air with just enough sunshine to bring a smile to your face….as opposed to the scorching, face frying heat we endured this summer! I think there were some days this summer that I truly thought that the heat would never end, that somehow we were going to be in a permanent state of summer until the end of time. But once again, the Lord has reminded me that “this too shall pass”…and how much sweeter is a day like this, knowing where we’ve come from.



I have been an absent blogger. I am not going to apologize or explain why. I am moving on with all my guilt and lack of documenting my family’s adventures and daily encounters. Although, a brand new computer (thank you to Tootsie and Reebert!) has definitely helped spur on a new excitement with technology. My old computer took about 4 hours to download a picture….no kidding. It was drudgery trying to blog on it, so now I’m in blog heaven!



I want to just use this as a starting point and hopefully begin blogging more regularly. We have had a few “new beginnings” recently (hence the blog title), that I will hopefully get to expound on soon, but to name a few: Started homeschooling this year (loving it!!!), Helped organize and start up the new FCA Homeschool Co-op (absolutely love it!!!), Jonah started piano lessons, Caleb started to read, Hannah started saying she’s the “princess of the world” (which is a whole other blog post ). She is also starting her new beginning as a 3 year old on her birthday tomorrow! I am so thankful for new beginnings and days that remind me why I love being alive and able to serve our King.



Oh, and by the way….we had another new beginning in our family. Collin & Amy (Adam’s brother and wife) had their first baby 2 days ago. I would put a picture of the new little one, but I don’t have one yet….and I don’t even have a name yet, because they are still in deliberation. So….that is yet to come. We are so thankful for this new little blessing and I am so jealous that my husband got to meet her in Los Angeles yesterday. I’m sure my time will come :)



So, I’m off to make a “Tangled” cake for Hannah’s party tomorrow. I was supposed to start it a couple of hours ago, but procrastination took over and blogging sounded more fun at the time!