camping

Just when we started craving some nature and planning a camping trip, my sister called and she said they were heading up camping the same weekend. Thankfully, she insisted we tag along. My sister and her family (and her inlaws) have all the fun toys, know all the great spots, and are pretty much camping professionals, so it was an easy choice for us. We drove up just past Strawberry and met them up there. We got there in time for set up and dinner around the fire, and then we hit the tent. I was surprised at how well I slept there. We were in bed by 9:30 and I slept like a rock. It felt so good to be out in the fresh air, under the stars with our little family all cuddled up in a tent. One night is always good enough for me though, so we enjoyed the next day quading, exploring, eating, swinging, playing with the dogs, catching frogs, finding snakes, spooking the cows away from the lake, playing catch, and having one last smore around the fire just before we packed up to sleep in our own beds and get back in time for church. One night campers, that's us. 

dream come true

Watermelon is one of the ultimate highlights of summer for me. And it nearly kills me that my own child won't have anything to do with it (kosty). My sister grew watermelons (in her front yard!) a couple years ago and we were all so surprised that they actually grew, and grew a ton. So this spring, when we planted our first veggie garden, she gave me the seeds and told me to plant them far away from the garden because the vine grows crazy huge. So we did, and it was slow at first. But then that vine grew like crazy and we were picking 2 watermelons a week all summer long. The vine took up the entire side yard and would've grew for miles if it weren't for fencing. It broke my heart this week (in december!) that we are having to throw the leftover watermelons away now. They are tricky to pick but not to grow. And the ones on the vine that were left after peak season, never fully ripened or else they probably suffered from the freeze and they were out of season. We will end up throwing away 10 or so, but we picked (and ate) more than that so I guess that will have to console me till next summer. Oh, and they were the best tasting watermelons I've ever had! I tell everyone now to grow them, knowing how easy and hearty the vine grows. Just a little water every day and that's it. Till next summer! 

first job

don't mind the grease stains, he came home and set it on the dirty kitchen counter

Brayden came home one day and started going on about how he had to type up a resume and interview for the classroom job he wanted: class photographer. He took it very seriously and worked hard on the resume itself. Then he dressed up in a white shirt and tie/church pants to school and interviewed for it. The teacher said dressing up was optional but not to him. I got a text from his teacher later that day that said, "I just had to let you know that Brayden's job interview was over the top fabulous today. He is such a fun kid!" (he got the job)