Are we camping now?

We took the family up for "family weekend" at Lance's elk camp. The entire weekend Sami kept asking, "Are we camping now?" It was a lot of firsts for our family; my first time in a pop-up, the girls' first time camping, Sami's first time fishing & hiking all.the.way!

It rained the entire first day we were there- so the girls enjoyed playing on all of the mattresses in the pop-up.




Samantha was SO EXCITED to go fishing! Showing off her pole...

Daddy teaching Samantha how to fish.


First fish


Samantha wanted to touch her fish. Just after this photo, she squealed, "Eew! Yuck!"

While they fished, Eliana & momma checked out the surrounding nature.

My favorite flower, Elephant's Head- blooms in August at tree line & there were plenty!


Both girls made it their personal goal to step on EVERY rock! They had a blast!

Playtime with friends

This is a park out in Elizabeth- the thermometer read 87 F. Immediately after we went into town & there it read 97 F! Ten degrees- I can only imagine it's because of the black tops!

Fun with hats!

We took the girls to High Tea at Miramont Castle. I had never been to this castle before & it was really neat. There were hats for the girls to wear & Samantha was very excited about that!

Outside the front door of the castle.

Teatime with Meme

My grandmother is in town & we took the girls to tea. Samantha saw my hot curlers & said she had to do her hair because her's was not acceptable as it was. (I have never said this about my hair, so who is she talking to?!?!)

The finished hairdo


Waiting for our tea to be served.

Miss Manners!

Happy Birthday Eliana!

Again- I don't yet have the photos from the girls' party but here's some from our morning birthday family time for Eliana.

Ellie lit up on Sami's birthday when we did donuts & candles but her face was precious when Lance brought the donuts to her this time!

Donuts are yum!

Opening gifts from momma & daddy- Ellie couldn't quite grasp that the toys were for her- not Sami (Sami didn't quite grasp that concept either!)

For me?!


The girls in their outfits, ready for their pool party.

Heritage Square & North Pole

The last week of July my brother & his family came up to spend some time here. Whenever we're together we all share cameras- whichever/whoever is closest takes the pic & then we share pics later. I haven't yet gotten their pics so here is what was on my camera. My on-target sister-in-law already has her blog updated with pics if you are truly curious!

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Heritage Square
These are from the day that we rode the Alpine Slide at Heritage Square. It was also the first time we've been anywhere that Sami has been tall enough to ride the rides!

The group walking to the Alpine Slide (That is it in the background)


The younger gals waiting at the bottom.

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North Pole
We also went to the North Pole- a first for all but Tosha! Zachary & Samantha had a blast! (As did some of the adults :) )

The younger girls slept!




This was the duo's absolute favorite of all the rides- they did it twice in a row & we had to pull them off to keep them from going a third time!

Sweet blessings...

Night time prayer, by Samantha,
(Not sure who the old man is.)

"Dear God,
Bless mommy, and bless daddy.
Bless Ellie & Sami.
Thank you for my playing &
thank you for Sami & Ellie's birthdays;
& thank you for my old man.
I hope you are doing okay.
Bye."