Camping with the Baughers

We went camping with our dear friends the Baughers. It was a monumental weekend for several reasons. We successfully survived a torrential thunderstorm on the first night with very little water seeping into our tent! I commend my Eagle Scout husband for sealing our tent properly and rigging up the most elaborate tarp system to cover the tent with something more substantial than our rain fly! It worked!!! Truth be told, I actually missed all the action that night. Meg and I had stayed back in Nashville the first night so she could attend a party for her friend. We joined them Saturday for the next big event which was our kids' first ever boating extravaganza. We rented a boat and inter tube so they could go tubing on the lake. All of them loved it! They loved getting in the lake (yuck!) and tubing. They are ready for more. Finally, Meg caught her first fish. She did it pretty much on her own as we were all trying to untangle all of our other rods and weren't really supervising her. She must have a gift! We love the Baughers so much and wish we could spend more time with them. They live in Louisville and we try to get together regularly and camping is the most fun even when they don't bring their dog.

Will's fossil!

First day of school excitement at our house! Olivia started fourth grade, Meg started second grade and Will began his last year of preschool before Kindergarten next year. He even started at a new school!

Happy 7th Birthday, Meg and happy 100th day of school!

First semester projects

Some of our fall school projects

Dorothy - the pumpkin





The 3rd grade highlight - the pumpkin globe. We just tossed it the other day since we were worried it was starting to rot. Olivia was so proud of her project.






Will was one of the loudest singers at his Christmas sing at school. He rocked it.




Olivia auditioned for and got a speaking part in the 3/4th grade musical, The Camel Lot. She was the "Rich Woman." She had to act prissy and snotty as a rich lady visiting Bethlehem with her husband. She didn't like the costume. She said it was "ridiculous." But she loved being famous.

Christmas in the desert

Notice the "snow man" on the ground between Will and Meg. Cute as a button.



Ty was a good sport hanging with Will. Ride 'em dinosaurs!



The moms didn't like the shade too much.


There is no doubt about it the highlight was the visit to the cousins' new yogurt shop. They wanted to work and work and work! REALLY!! They cleaned windows and doors over and over. They fought over the broom and dustpan. It was so fun. I am thinking that maybe they could go to college at NAU (Go Lumberjacks!) and work at the shop. Still think they have one of the best topping bars I have EVER seen.


Meg was so excited to get a horse for her American Girl doll. She named it Jewel.


I love the look on Olivia's face here. She was scoping out her stocking and I think she was opening a Claire's gift card.



Love my fam and miss them sooooo much. I had so much fun on Christmas day. I can't wait until next time. San Diego, maybe? I wish we could all get together at least twice a year.


"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14