Month: July 2007

Well, we made it through our first camping trip with the kids. It was a lot of fun in many ways. There were a lot of firsts for the kids; first time sleeping in a tent, first smores, first cooking hot dogs over a fire, and so on. We went with friends of ours who have a little boy, Mikie, Tasha’s age and then a little girl, Kaitlyn, who is 9 months. We did a little exploring in the woods where we saw some awesome rock formations and had a great view of the lush trees and many more rock formations poking out of the treetops.

Everything was great…..except bedtime….let’s just say that our kids have never slept in the same room before and well, Kevin was so incredibly thrilled to have his big sis sleeping beside him that….he didn’t sleep! At least not until around midnight and then a fitful sleep for some hours until 6:30 or something. We’re still recovering! We’re planning on going camping one more time this summer at least, so we’ll have to get them used to sleeping together in order to actually feel human the next day.

Here are the photos from our weekend adventure:

Mikie and Ryan setting up camp

All done!

Tasha making sure everything looks ok from the inside

Mikie taking his turn; quality inspection

Time for a little exploring

Tasha rock climbing; she’s a natural!

Tasha and Mikie having hugs

Kevin and Mommy enjoying the view

Our little hikers in training

Having too much fun!

Gina and Mikie whittling sticks for marshmellow toasting

Running in circles is so much fun!

All the running worked up an appetite and Kevin needed something to wash down all the dirt he was eating!

Tasha liked the “help yourself” policy at the “restaurant”

Making grub-the whole gang

Tasha had a lot of fun pushing Snowy around in Kaitlyn’s stroller

Mikie thought Snowy’s part looked like fun!

Go long, Dad!!

Man, did you see that throw! I’m a pro!

Kaitlyn having a blast watching all the activity

The kids didn’t like smores at all! Right! I couldn’t make them fast enough!

Here was our oven

Mommy with about 4 hours of sleep

He should look more sleepy….

Well, I’m awake…can’t say much for sleepyhead beside me though.

Tasha’s favorite, chocolate for breakfast. Hey, mine too!! =)

Uh-oh….is it pancake mix, or did Kaitlyn’s food not sit so well….

The chef at Camp Crazy

See what I mean….

Finally….he’s sleeping!

While I was gone to my friends wedding in Las Vegas, it seems that Natasha and Kevin switched roles and Tasha became a baby again. Kevin is going to be a very good Daddy. See below!

Hold on tight!

Not only is today Independence Day, but it’s Ellen’s birthday. We celebrated by having the Mannings over for pie and a little refreshment courtesy of the kids! We all had a great time.

Making a wish

Waiting for pie

Watch out Papa!

My Mom was here for a wonderful 10 days for Natasha’s birthday. We had lots of silly fun together, lots of shopping and just enjoyed each others company. Oddly enough, it seemed to hit me more when she left for home this time, opposed to when she moved home last August. I guess because she’d been away for almost a year. It was just more real. We miss her already, but are hoping to visit again soon.

Kevin and Mom being silly

Mom and I

Sunday best

The Gang at Texas Roadhouse

Goofballs enjoying dinner

Mom really liked the battered onion and dip

A tender Papa-Kevin moment

Mom and I have a tradition of going to Sweet Tomatoes together. Ammon was with us too, but he left before we realized we hadn’t taken a photo yet. The kids were very excited that they got balloons!

We had a fantastic time playing all day in the water at a local waterpark-Splash Aquatics. There is a wading pool with a big play structure in the middle with all sorts of slides, and fountains, etc. There’s a great big bucket that dumps on everyone in 3 minute intervals and all the kids scream! So fun! Then there were two big waterslides and tubes to ride down them that kept the adults happy as well. All in all a great place for a party.

Natasha stayed in the water from 10:30-3pm, with the exception of one hour for eating and opening presents. We had a large group; Lee, Ellen, Christina, Arvin, Jaron, Ethan, Malika, Pushba, Hari, Julina, her friend Brian, myself, my Mom, Natasha, Kevin and Tasha’s friend Mikie and his parents Gina and Ryan and his sister, Kaitlyn.

Tasha got some really nice presents and just had the most wonderful time. She would’ve stayed forever if we’d let her! So it was a hit!

This is the place!

Water dumping fun!

Slippery slides

Mom, Tasha and Jaron

Tasha and her Papa

Christina, Baby Malika, Ellen and Lee

Julina, Brian and the Birthday girl. Tasha took an instant liking to Brian…could it be because he took her down the waterslide about a dozen times? Nah….he’s just a nice guy!

Tasha and Jaron in a splashing war under a fountain

Ethan lounging out

Ellen and a little sleeping angel

Fun in the sun with Uncle Arvin, Natasha and Jaron

Ryan, Gina, Mikie and Kaitlyn cooling off

Mmmmm cake! Jaron and Brian

Hari, Pushba and the Birthday Girl!

Tasha girl and her Elmo Cake. Mommy forgot candles, so she got a strange look when she told Tasha to pretend to blow out the candles.

Tasha and Uncle Arvin with her new Dora dolly

Tasha’s very own baking kit, complete with rolling pin, whisk, mini-muffin tins!

The Hebbs enjoying the food and the shade

The Narayans smiling pretty

Arvin and Ethan having snuggles

Mikie really liked his elmo party favor

Julina and Brian