Annual Hensley Camping Trip

I only took a handful of photos on our Annual Camping Trip w Zach's family. We had a good time (read "some of us had a great time, but Chase had an awful time!). The poor little guy just wasn't feeling it! He was hot and fell down about a million times. Maybe next year it will be better!

But Emma had a blast. She had a lot of fun swimming, building rock castles, playing ball and games and bubbles and more. And we got to spend some quality time with Grandma Donna, Papa Randy, Aunt Sharon Uncle Randy and Charles.

One rock castle with "snakes" and even had a sparker to top it off in the end -
she was pretty proud!

Em and Grandma Donna

Em and Papa Randy doing sparklers (sorry campgrounds - sure they're probably against the rules but we didn't start any forest fires!)


When we got home and got everything in - we started the bath water to get all cleaned up...left alone for only seconds and this is what Zach returned to find...

Sure - who needs to take off thier clothes - just jump in!
I think he was excited to get clean!!!

I'll try to be better next year and actually take some pictures!

Rewind - 4th of July

So lets just pretend it's the 4th of July and then this post won't seem so late!

We had a great 4th this year. Emma wasn't scared of fireworks - Chase...well - he didn't ruin any of the fun. Let's put it that way!

Grandpa Knute and Grandma Nesie had come into town for a long weekend. We went to the 3rd of July concert on the Waterfront as usual and then spent the 4th at our house with a few of our best friends. I'll let the pictures tell the rest!~

The 3rd of July - Waterfront Park

I'm pretending she's saying "Happy 4th" or "I Love America" - but I'm pretty sure it was just an excited scream (Or her telling me she wasn't leaving the fun water area!)

One great part of Louisville is that there always seems to be something Free down at the Waterfront. At the FREE concert - this was a FREE kids area where they could do water, bouncies and fun crafts and stuff - it's great!

Chase isn't far behind Emma - I have a feeling he'll be beating her some day soon!

This girl LOVED the fireworks - and when the got too loud -
she just snuck down in the stroller and hid a little!

Daddy and Em!

Grandpa Knute, Grandma Nesie and Chase
(who did't love the fireworks so much and was exhausted!)

The 4th of July

Grandma Nesie and Em

Grandma Nesie and Chase - I think she was more excited than him!

Best fireworks ever!

Sparklers

Papa Knute and Em


Hope you had a Great 4th of July!

A Great Book...

If you're interested in curling up with a good book (and an entire BOX of klenex) then I have a book recommendation for you. I just got done reading Two Kisses for Maddy by Matt Logelin and it was the best book I have read in a while. (It's really hard to say that a book is so good when it's filled with such heartache and tragedy.) I had heard of this book, but didn't know the background behind it until I read a friends blog. That prompted me to go to Matt's blog http://www.mattlogelin.com and read thier story (click on the "haven't been here before?" tab at the top). If you're a mom (or just alive in any way really) - this story will make your heart cry. Matt - You are Amazing. You should be extremely proud of the man that you are and of the Father that you have become for your little girl. Liz would be proud! Thank you for putting your story out there for the world to hear - and thank you for being honest! I think that's part of what I love so much about the blog and book is the honesty. And I have to agree with Matt when he says that sometimes it's our kids that make us hold everything together in life - with them around to help us out we can make it through the toughest of days!

So go grab this book, a box of Klenex and get ready to cry!!! You won't regret it!

Grandpa on Vacation = Projects Completed

Grandpa Knute and Grandma Denise were down to visit over the 4th of July - which meant that a few of my little (okay -HUGE) projects got completed at my house! While they were there we packed a lot of fun into a few days - but we also tackled 3 projects! Papa made the neighbors fence stand up straight again and we successfully installed tile on the other side (we had done one side of my yard years ago) of the yard so we wouldn't have a soggy area after a hard rain! And Grandma hemmed my bedroom curtains that have been held up with pins for oh - 2-3 years!

In the process of all this work - I only snapped two quick photos.

Peek-A-Boo!

THANK YOU Grandma and Papa! You're the Best!!!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

We Love you!!!

One of my favorite parts of summer is...

CAMPING! Yes - I did say it! It is true - I love camping with my family and watching the kids make memories just like their daddy did when he was younger with his dad.

And this year was special because it was the 1st year to take Both of the kids camping AND it was Emma's first year fishing!!! She Loved fishing (even though she didn't have a hook - shhhh, she doesn't know!) Chase also fished a little too -but with more help than Emma!

And there Were bubbles...

And Pudding...

Show me your best pudding faces...

And Oh the SMORES - My Whole Reason For Going Camping!!!

And there was Lots of playing with rocks and dirt...

We had a Great weekend camping and are looking forward to going again soon - this time with Grandma Donna and Papa Randy!

Mexico - no kids allowed!

I firmly believe that everyone should sit on a beach at least once a year - and No Kids Allowed! (They can go on the 2nd trip of each year to the beach!) That being said - on Easter (boy am I behind) Zach and I left for Mexico for a few days. We spend the week eating great food, relaxing and just enjoying a little peace and quite...with a few drinks in our hands at all times...can you say All Inclusive! The view from our bed on the beach - Heaven!

That's us relaxed...it doesn't happen often!

The beach

More of the resort

All I have to say is...When can I go back??!!