Summer trip to Abilene

After I got back from camp we took a weekend trip to Abilene to spend some time with cousins - yay!  The kids had a great time playing & running around together.  One morning we went to the zoo, it was nice because we were able to go before there were too many people & it is small enough that we got to see all the animals.

 Cody & Lucy at the zoo

 Miss Sassy pants - probably giving someone instructions!

 Otto enjoying a summer treat!

 Yay for popsicles!  

 We went to ACU one night to get some group pics - it was pretty hard to get everyone to look at the camera

 Sweet cousins!

 Trouble!

 Madison & Miles James

Crazy!

It was so fun seeing cousins, we are excited every time we get to see them!

Frontier Ranch

In June our Young Life group took 2 bus loads of kids to Frontier Ranch in Buena Vista, Colorado.  It was an amazing week filled with lots of laughter, a few tears, & most importantly filled with Jesus.  This was the first time in a few years that Cody & I didn't go to camp together.  Cody decided to take a job as the assistant principal of summer school, it was a hard decision but because we didn't have a camp assignment this summer we really felt like he should stay home & do this.  Cody was so sad to miss, but there will be lots of other years at camp b/c we are in this ministry to stay!

Camp this year was busy for me, I had 18 girls in my cabin.  I had a group of senior girls that I have been walking with for 3 years now & a small group of junior girls. I loved all of them.  They all had different stories but each of them were able to see Jesus that week & I pray that they will remember that forever.  

 Some of my senior girls.  One of them came to say bye to me the other day on her way off to A&M & I almost cried... I'm sure I'll be a mess when Lucy leaves :(

 After doing the dizzy bat race at the rodeo...an oldie but such a goodie

 Tug-o-war at the rodeo

 Rappelling down the Rockie Mountains...there is nothing like it!

 My junior girls - love them!

 Our whole group hiked to the top of the continental divide - it was hard but I am so proud that everyone made it to the top!  The view was unbelievable.

 Favorite part of camp = conversations with girls

Some of my senior girls - it's not going to be the same without them this year!

 The giant swing

So FUN

Being a leader at camp is definitely different when you are 30...this is the first year that I felt like I wasn't 19 anymore.  I got really tired & it took me a long time to recover after camp, but it was so worth it.  Every year Cody & I talk about how much longer we will be doing this & honestly I hope it's forever.  Camp makes me fall in love with my job & makes all the hard & frustrating parts of it worth it.  The truth is that high school kids are lost & they need Jesus & this will pretty much never change so for as long as I can I want to be a part of them getting a glimpse of Jesus.  

Spring Photo Shoot

We ended up having some pretty wild flowers here this year so one night Rachel & I took the kids out to a field & attempted to get some pictures.  She got some pretty good ones & I love that we have these pictures to document this time in their lives.  Emma & Graham are such sweet friends to Lucy & Miles & I am praying that they will always be good friends & be able to love & encourage each other in life.  We love living life along side of them!

G & M are big buddies!

My Lovies

 At a baby shower that I had before I had Lucy my great Aunt Mary gave me this dress.  It was a dress that my Great Great Grandmother made for my Grandma Jane.  Not only did my Grandmother wear this dress but my Mom had it when she was a little girl too.  I love that we have it now & that Lucy gets to wear it.  I can't believe it's still in such great condition.  So fun to have things like this to pass down.

Lucy Jane

Lucy Jane at 2.5 years old

Miles was so happy!

Love this picture because it's just all the kids doing their own thing - lovin life!

Thanks for the fun photo shoot - love these sweet friends!

Smiles & Daddy/Daughter Dance

Miles is one of the happiest little babies - it is so fun to make him giggle, he really is the cutest thing!  We spent some time outside on mother's day & I had to take a few little pics of this little baby love.  I pray that he will always keep this simple & loving personality, he is so fun to be around.  It's perfect that these pics capture all his drool & spit -up b/c that's just what life with him is like these days!

LOVE

THIS

BABY

In May Lucy & Cody went to a Daddy/Daughter Dance (or as Lucy has been calling it the "dance daughter") & they had so much fun.  Lucy was so excited about it & of course would not stand still for pictures.  One of my friends organized the dance & did a great job - the had some snacks there, a craft that all the Dads could do with their daughters, a photo booth & a time when the Dads could read a letter they wrote to their daughters along with lots of dancing.  Lucy still talks about it & asks when she can go again.  Luckily she has a pretty great Dad so there will be lots of special moments like these in her future.  

Ready for their big date!

Easter 2012

This Easter we went down to Austin for the long weekend to spend some time with some of our favorite people!  It was a great weekend & a great way to celebrate the risen Lord!  We spent the first night at Kyle & Erika's house.  They are renting a little house on lake Austin & it was so fun to play in the lake & enjoy spending time with them.  Bekah & Tyler came over on Friday night to hang-out with us - the kids loved all the attention from the aunts & uncles.

Miles gets some Aunt Bekah time & he is sporting the hat she gave him for Christmast

Tyler & Miles taking in all the action on Lake Austin

First Kayak ride for Lucy Jane

LOVE Aunt Erika & Uncle Kyle

Lucy's road trip outfit

We spent Saturday night at Bekah & Tyler's house.  My parents came in that night & we went out to eat at a place on the lake & prepared some food for our picnic the next morning.

The Easter Bunny visited!

Easter morning on our way to Austin Stone

Easter pc with Grammy & Pa

Hannah & Drew came in for church & an Easter picnic

breaking a confetti egg on Pa's head - haha!

Lulu checking out all her goodies with her new summer hat

Mr. Smiles

LOVE

Spring Break Part 2

After we spent a few days with the fam in Charlotte Cody, Lucy, Miles & I headed up to a big hotel/indoor water park.  My Grandpa had some rooms there & she graciously gave them to us to use & it was so much fun!  This was kind of a big deal for us b/c it was our first little vacation on our own as a family of four.  Cody & I had been putting aside a little bit of money to do something for our five year anniversary we were thinking that it would be without kids but when this opportunity came up we decided to use the money for this trip.  We felt really grow up going on this trip & it was a great experience for our family.  Thanks Grandma Shack, we will never forget it!

 There were so many fun things for Lucy to do.  She was overwhelmed a lot of the time just running around looking at all the things to do.

 The indoor park was a big hit for little lulu

The swing over the water was Lucy's favorite part, she would have stayed on it forever!

 Love them!

 Lucy was telling Miles all about the water park

 Lucy & Cody on the water play ground

I know that Lucy is really going to love all the water things this summer since she had so much fun over spring break.  

Thanks again Grandma Shack, you are such a blessing & we are able to do so many fun family things because of you!