1st Camping trip together

Their 1st Camping Experience. They loved it! Pro's -

* Camping together as a family for the 1st time * Spending time with Papa & Nana

* learning to roast the perfect Marshmallow

* Smores!!!!
* Roasting hot dogs on a stick

* Papa teaching the kids how to skip a rock
* Tether ball* climbing big rocks (the kids did)* getting to wear sweatshirts again

* Crisp Mountain air

* Cabins with Toilets!!!!!

Con's -

* Not bringing sleeping bags (I brought little blankets instead. Won't do that again!)

* Having the "borrowed" mattress pop before ever getting to lay on it :(

* sleeping on a metal bunk bed with a tiny mattress pad...

with Jacob on the top bunk. Never again..NEVER!!

* John having to sleep on the floor on a flimsy cushion (but at least there was a cushion)

* The drive (blorch!)

**Conclusion = WAY WORTH IT!

Gonna do it again real soon.

This time on the beach...

in tents...

with sleeping bags!!!!

Our Niece Serenity Rose turned 3!

3 years ago many of you got on your knees with us and prayed for this precious Itty Bitty gift from God (as she came into this world and many days following). Serenity Rose was born way to early and the odds were stacked up against her....BUT GOD.... in His Mercy, had other plans for her precious little life. Serenity Rose was born on Sunday July 9th 2006 at 8:22pm. Her due date was supposed to be Sept 26th, but Sara went into labor due to some complications with her pregnancy. Serenity weighed 2lbs 15oz. She lived the first 5 weeks of her life at Valley Children's Hospital. She was such a Champ! Those days were rough on all of us, especially Sara and Frank (Serenity's parents). As weeks and months went by Serenity became healthier with each passing day. Through her toddler years you would have never guessed that this child was ever a preemie.She was chunky and healthy just like other children her age. She continued to be that way until a few months ago when she was diagnosed with Diabetes. Thankfully modern medicine has made living with diabetes much easier these days. She is such a good girl when her Mommy or Daddy tell her it's time to check her blood and get a shot. She even tells them where she wants the shot. She is still such a Champ! My kids think she is so brave for not crying when she gets her shots. She is certainly an amazing little girl and we are so blessed to have her in our lives. Thank you Jesus for Miss Serenity's precious little life! And thank you to all those who prayed for her and our family 3 years ago.

Happy Birthday Serenity Rose! We love you!!!

"Cousins!"

My Sister and her Girls were here for about 10 days. The kids had a blast playing with their Cousins. As always it is so hard to say good bye, and yes I still cry every time they leave. Thankfully we now only live about 5-6 hours away from each other, instead of being states away from one another.
I look forward to our next time together. Hopefully that comes sooner than later. For now we have our cell phones, FB, our blogs and digital cameras/pictures to help us stay connected. That will have to do until next time. Sniffle... sniffle...

More pictures to come!