Our First Camping Trip of the Season

This trip was during Mother's Day weekend.

Good Morning Dad! Mia and I (Erica) were the first ones up. We collected tinder and kindling and made a campfire before the others got up. Thank Girls Camp for the knowledge to start a campfire- with matches that is (no lighter fluid or lighters for us).

Sam ended up taking Lucy to the emergency room the Friday night because she pulled her elbow out of the socket as she fell down a hill. Mia, Leila and I finished setting up camp and headed to bed. A sweet sister moment was when the girls were laying in their sleeping bags car lights shown onto our tent and I guess Mia got a little frightened. Leila quietly reassured her by telling her that it was ok and that they were the headlights of people that were coming to the campsite. Mia was reassured and they both soon fell asleep after that. Oh- and Lucy was just fine, just a late night for her and Sam.

So we roasted marshmallows in the morning instead of Friday night.

Turns out that the kids enjoy the roasting part more than the eating. I think that I will have to find some marshmallow sticks with just one prong instead of two so that the marshmallows don't get so backed up- or find other things to roast.

Old Maid

Lucy loved camping in her tent.

Mia on her way to the lake with a stick in hand, as usual.

The girls played for a long time in the water and the sand while Sam and I got to relax and enjoy our children and the beautiful nature that surrounded us.

I had to include the bum picture because when we asked what Leila's favorite part of the camping trip was she said that it was the bum picture. I can't really remember why we did it. I do know that I (Erica) was being silly and stuck my bum in front of the camera and, well monkey see monkey do.

We were not sure what Lucy was doing, but she kept sticking her head in the ground and hanging out like that. Of course it made us laugh.

Wheel Barrow anyone?

Sand Angels!

Oh and did I mention that this camping spot is just a 10 minute drive from home (and this is yet another lake- different from the Lake pictures that were taken a few posts back)? We are quite blessed to be able to do the things that we love to do so close to home.

A Good Night

Being a mom is my saving grace. While in the midst of writing the last post earlier this evening I was not quite sure what I was going to do with myself for the evening. After the last post the girls came to me to tell me that the movie The Littles was over. They all finished up their bedtime routines and then I watched a couple of episodes of the Pink Panther with them. I decided to do my best to live in the moment with them and found myself laughing at the Pink Panther (there has been a shortage of laughter from me lately). Lucy sat on my lap and then Mia sat on my lap. And I had Leila near by. And there is baby sister (Eleanor?) in my tummy. I felt gratitude- pure gratitude. Then when Mia said our family prayers in her four year old sweet way she randomly thanked Heavenly Father for Thanksgiving and for mom on Mother's Day. That was a blessing sent from heaven.

After the kids were in bed I tidied up the living room a bit and decided to take out some framed family pictures and decorate the Living Room a bit with them. Again, as I did this I felt pure gratitude for our home and for the life that I have been able to live as I pulled out a clock given to me from a sister when I was a missionary in Brasil and I pulled out some items from Taiwan, a picture of Sam and I on our wedding day, our wedding announcement and a dongshi from China that someone had given Sam when he did his study abroad in China, a picture of my mom and I and Spot in England. I just felt like my life kind of came together a little bit more as I pulled stuff out of the box and decorated our home with it. I have been blessed.

Sacramento Temple Primary Activity

The kids' Primary all met at the Sacramento Temple to do a temple walk. Before walking around we all met in a grassy area and sang "I Love to See the Temple". I (Erica) had to hold back tears as the vision of these young children becoming strong leaders, priesthood holders, mothers, fathers etc... became more clear in my mind. The spirit was so strong.

All of the children received a bingo like card with stickers and as we walked around and learned about the temple the kids placed the stickers in the appropriate square.

Afterwards they all gathered in the grassy area again and had snacks and reviewed some of the things that they learned. 

All of the children were quite reverent. I am glad that they could have this great activity for the children and that we could have a temple so close to home. (We also thought of Rob and Kristy's wedding here and the upcoming wedding of Mick and Jessica).

Head Stands