bluegrass 2014

How about now that September already feels like it was ages ago, I'll get around to showing you our Bluegrass pictures.

It was our first year with our own camper.  We've held off for as many years as possible in getting our own.  We've been lucky enough to have friends or family that have always let us borrow.  But it was finally time when we found an awesome deal on an older camper in SUCH good condition. 

So nice not to have to keep all our camping stuff stored in bins anymore.  But who am I kidding...it's SO nice having our own bathroom, and even shower!  This was the first year in my 25 year or more Bluegrass history that I never once had to use a porta-potty, nor did the kids!  That's worthy of a dance party.

 The kids slept like babies EVERY single night.  And Gavin even got naps in most days.  Out of the 5 days of camping, I think even Dave and I got naps 2 or 3 of those days. Having a air conditioned camper definitely helped that.  Well, and the queen size bed, with an egg crate, a feather bed that wasn't being used at home, and a big down comforter may have helped too.

Our camping definitely bumped up to a new level this year. 

 Our morning shower was the best! And being able to scrub off the kids' feet before bed was delightful too.

We find lots to do at camp. Well the kids do.  Mom and dad pretty much sit and do nothing.  My favorite part of Bluegrass.  5 days, nothing I HAVE to do.

The kids have started a tradition of selling painted rocks.  And this year they added some painted wood too.

That "Bulegrass" sign went for $20 to our neighbors.

 And on Friday we had friends join us for their first Bluegrass experience!  I think they loved it and we SO hope they come back for longer next time.

There are lots of "favorites" of Bluegrass.  But the tractor, whom Gavin named Otis this year, who brings us the most delicious donuts in the whole wide world every morning, may be at the top of the list.

We find lots to do away from camp too.

Obviously music.

 The kids had a blast this year with the craft activities inside the festival.

They tye-dyed tshirts and bandanas.

 And there's always so much to see and do all around the campgrounds.

And there is NO better combination than Bluegrass and K-State football at the same time.

So glad we found some people we knew who had the game!

 And a horse named Chaco.

I think every year turns into my favorite year ever.  There's nothing like leaving the rest of our lives at home, heading back "home" (for me) and watching our kiddos come alive in a place they are growing to love just as much as we do. 

The minute we pulled out of Winfield, the kids informed us we had 360 days until next year.

And now that number is about 38 days less.

she's 8 today.

Well hello there.  I promise I'm still here.  My plate just seems to be quite full lately.  You know, the to-do list that is never-ending. It's challenging enough to survive each day hoping I get the necessities done.  I love blogging, and I miss it.  But it never makes it to the top of the list.  And as it approaches the top of the list as I get closer to catching up with life, then it quickly moves back down.  

But I made some time today to record another big day in our house.

Today our sweet girl is 8.  

 We had a big weekend of celebrating!  

It was the first party for us without a theme.  She couldn't think of one, so we decided we didn't need one.  I have loved putting parties together for my kids...decorations, party favors, cakes, every last detail.  They love it and I love it.  But let's be honest here, it's a lot of work.  And for a mama who tends to do things at the last minute, there's usually some stress involved too.  Although each year gets easier, I've figured out when I need to start, how much time cakes tend to take, etc.  But this year was a nice treat.  Just simple balloon and streamer decorations, no party table.  Just a cake.  And I know that she felt just as special as always!  I told them I would make them a cake for as long as they want!  That can definitely keep being "our thing".  With no theme, we were out to find just a cute girly cake.  I found the rosette cake, watched a tutorial and was pretty confident I could pull it off.  

We had some friends and family join us for the party.  It definitely felt like much more of a "big kid" party than ever before.  

She has saved her money up to buy her 2nd American Girl doll.  She had almost enough so we finished the rest for her and ordered it to surprise her.  She thought she was going to have to wait to get more birthday money and order it after her birthday.  She wanted the doll that you can pick all the details to look like her.  When I saw the option at the end to add pierced ears to the doll I knew that was the perfect way to surprise her and tell her we were FINALLY letting her get her ears pierced, after asking for nearly 2 years.   She noticed right away the ears on her doll were pierced.  We acted like it was a mistake and that we either needed to send it back to get the one that was just like her without pierced ears....OR we would just have to get her ears pierced!  She knew right away what that meant!

A friend owns the salon I go to, and she offered to come in over the weekend to pierce her ears so Taylor could go to school today, her actual birthday with pierced ears!  So we got up early and met her before church.  It was quick and easy!  Taylor didn't even flinch, she did it like a pro.

 She absolutely loves them and can't stop talking about them. 

 

And today we celebrated at school.  We all went to eat lunch with her (we left Gavin with grandma), and then celebrated with her class! 

After a whole weekend of celebrating... at 11:22am this morning she was finally officially 8.

She's a gift.  One that brings joy to our lives every single day. 

 

september is here

I wasn't really ready for school to start.  But it definitely feels good to be back into a routine.

We've finished 3 whole weeks already.

This guy acts like he's been going to Kindergarten for years. 

It was hard on my heart (but still fun) to look back at his "first day" pictures.

 And this little miss has had the best start to a school year yet.  Every other year there have been some emotions and tummy aches and tears.  But this year she is so happy and we are SO thankful.

I just look at her and think to myself how unbelievably blessed we are to be raising this girl.  She is pretty amazing.

 This was 2 years ago this week, Mason's first day of PreK and Taylor had been in Kindergarten for a few weeks.  I am loving the TimeHop app on my phone.  But I kind of hate it too.  Nothing like a daily reminder of how fast time has flown.

One of my favorite parts of the day is picking Mason up from the bus stop.  This was the 2nd day of school, and the first day he rode the bus.  He sprinted into my arms with the biggest smile.  My heart pretty much exploded.  Even 3 weeks later, he still runs to me.  I'm guessing it may stop eventually.

  

And then I got the dreaded call from the office that one of my babies was sick in the office, less than a week into the year. {insert big humongous sigh}  It takes me 15 minutes to get to the school, and those minutes seem like forever when I'm trying to get to my littles so fast.  He was as pale as could be with hardly enough energy to walk to the car, but he wouldn't let me carry him through the building either.  He fell straight asleep in the car and an hour later was fine.  We figured out he overheated at recess.  Thankfully we dodged that "sickness" bullet.

 And now a week of September is over already.  My favorite month of the year for so many reasons.  

But this year, September brings memories of news that our sweet niece had cancer. 

2 years ago this month, her parents heard the word cancer for the first time,

and 1 year ago this month, they heard that word again.

This past week, Sydney started 5th grade, FULL time.  Something most 10 year olds don't think is a big deal.  And on top of that, she's back on the soccer field too!

So thankful we serve a God who is bigger than the horrible monster that cancer is. 

So thankful this September for our niece, Sydney!