Summers are for Fishing

and, according to Brian, posing and touching the fresh catch is a must for all fisherwomen--which the girl's weren't happy about. at. all.

But bravery, as Liv shows us, can be learned.


Oh, I love her expression here!


Holland still has another 2 years to learn this skill of touching and posing with a dead fish.



But she perks up enough when she realizes a camera is capturing the moment.



Here is Liv a few weeks later, posing with her fish like a pro. She caught this fish without any help at all!



More camping photos coming soon!!

McCall

We were incredibly blessed to spend a fun weekend in McCall with friends. It wasn't just fun, it was educational.

For example:

We learned that Reese much prefers to be ON the sled, than off. (that look of horror you see there is actually her inner-adrenaline-junkie's-token-scared-face).




This is Reesie OFF the sled:



We were relieved to discover that Brian's "winter shorts" made it through the snow. Here he takes Reese up for another sled ride.



We also learned that Reese and Liv have similar adrenaline-junkie-token-scared-faces:



As does Adam:



And we were reminded of what an awesome biggest sister Liv is. Here she checks on Reesie after their sled ride. Everyone is happy.


One word of caution: Do not ever, EVER throw a snowball at Brian:




You will lose every time. Reese says, "My dad can beat up your dad!"




Not only will Brian win, he will also stick his tongue out at you. Real mature, buddy. Real mature.













Sledding is MUCH more fun with a scared face.


And with your right arm raised:



And especially while looking cute:



And McCall just isn't McCall unless you're with your friends!

Love The Shams

We have these amazing friends who also happen to live just around the corner. They invited us up to their cabin a couple of weeks ago while Rob and Brian went to the Calvary Men's Bootcamp weekend. It was a whole weekend of NOTHING. Well, only if you call laughing and resting and playing games and crafts and food and snow forts and movies and finishing a super good book "nothing". I even got to sleep in until 9AM one morning. I seriously have no recollection of the last time I was able to do that!

It was a restful and encouraging weekend and I am just so thankful for their family, affectionately known to us as "The Shams". :o) Long story, but let's just say that if you type in their real name, "spell check" changes it to "Sham". Ok, that wasn't such a long story. It was actually short. And not at all interesting....to you. I apologize.

These "indoorsy types" stayed inside almost the whole weekend. And smiled the whole weekend, too.





And this "outdoorsy" girl of ours had a blast outside. Liv Wieber is always, always silly.


Jake and Liv were super compatible play partners. They spent literally every waking moment outside working on their fort:


Snowboarding:


Being goofy (again):




I took this picture of Holland during the 5-minute window she was outside. Remember, snow has never been her thing. :o)


This little one of ours is an "outdoorsy-type" as well. She loved hanging out with Maddie.








We are so thankful for the friends God has given us!

Girl's Getaway

Thanks to some pretty sweet (and when I say sweet, I do mean sweet, but also Su-weeet!) friends, a trip to McCall with just girls (yes, we left the children at home...11 between all of us) was planned and implemented and I was so blessed to be a part of it. I have known these ladies for at least 5 years--some for longer--and how wonderful it was to get some time together. I didn't have to wipe one bottom--not one--while I was there! :o) If that's too much information--too bad. This was monumental for me!

First, though, thank you to Sharon's mom who generously offered up the use of her beautiful condo and to Sharon (who couldn't come, booo!) who graciously gave up the beloved cleaning token. You are wonderful!!!

We also have pretty awesome husbands, to hold down the fort while we got to play. I tell you, all children were accounted for when we returned. And loved and fed and tucked in, and smiling, and just so happy to have spent some quality time with their daddies. Thank you, men!

Not only was it a beautiful thing just to get to sleep in, and we also enjoyed sushi, making dinner together (5 stars for Katie's Chinese Chicken Salad!), consuming large amounts of chocolate, hot tubbing, hiking to a gorgeous waterfall, being stalked by raccoon, and fun, fun conversation. I also fulfilled a goal of mine to learn to crochet. THANK YOU to Katie...who is a pro-teacher. I have found a new hobby that I love!! Oh, and what girl's weekend would be complete without thrift store shopping? I tell you, our weekend was complete! So many of our friends couldn't make the trip due to prior engagements, sheer busyness, or just timing. You were missed and we look forward to doing this again!

Here we are heading out to sushi:

This little guy and his scruffy little friend hung out right outside the back deck. He was so cute.

We headed to Goose Creek, a spot Suz had been to. It was absolutely gorgeous and we were rewarded with a spectacular waterfall view at the end.

We kept seeing the holes in the trees we passed. If anyone knows what, or who :o), causes them, let me know!

If caterpillars could play the lottery, this little guy should. He made it all the way across the trail without getting trampled on by those in front.

And this spider was dangling in the pathway. Thanks to my fast-acting-friend, Suz, I was able to continue walking down the trail spider-free.

Here we are enjoying the first view point.

And here Katie and I take a picture. I always end up looking like a robot in these types of pictures. It must be the angle. Not my short arms, right?

We made it!

I love treetops.

Even without our manly men here on this trip with us, we managed to stay calm. Check out our cool exteriors, here! We sure are brave.

Happy Trails were had by us all. Thank you girls for such a great time!!!