CAMPING

Well, my sister and brother-in-law finally convinced us to try their "annual 'day after' Thanksgiving" camping trip. Every year they go to Lakewood Retreat Christian camp grounds and camp with about 6 couples. It has turned into a 20 year memory making tradition. Pilgrim and I went together as little kids and our first year of marriage but never with Aiden and Londy our new additions to the family. So, this would be the making of our new tradition and the first time we would camp with our babies.

We packed up our stuff and the day after Thanksgiving headed out to Brooksville, LWR campgrounds. First of all we got delayed in a little traffice and hence the signs below stampered on the flow. After finally choosing the right path we were on our way!

Pilgrim and I are really into cool looking trees so I took a few shots along the way.


The first night they had a hay ride for all of us. You would think Aiden is sitting by Uncle Chuck just because he loves him but he's really sitting with him because he knows he'll protect him from having hay thrown on him.


The one who didn't want to have hay touch him ended up being the one throwing all of it!

It was fun but it was FREEZING, I HATE the cold!


Da' boyz

Awwww, Joel and Sarah! They are so cute.

I just thought our shadows were cool as we were walking so I took a snap. If you look closely you see Aiden on top of Caleb's shoulders.

I LOVE my baby sling and apparantley so does London.

The next day after the worst night of our entire lives! YES, we look tired... but you would too if you just experienced what we did. London and Aiden decided they were going to get sick on our drive down to the campground. Battling the 30 degree weather in a tent with two sick kids was not and never will be fun. I truly thought that I was in a factory and it went a little something like this....London wakes up crying when she's done Aiden has a non-stop coughing spell when he's done daddy snores not to mention that I could not get warm for anything. That would lead us to no sleep, getting sick ourselves, getting frost bite and waking up as if we were hit by a mack truck, if there was anything bigger I could think of I would write that! You get the point.

BUT, we made the best of it and had an awesome day!




I love this picture of the canoes.


Aiden brought me back a lily pad, it melted my heart!

I can't believe that we have a son old enough to go canoeing. These are the years that you cherish deep within and wish life could stand still for just a few seconds longer!





Below, Pilgrim's brother Joel, he has issues........ :)


We really wish this cricket would have jumped in!

We did go home the second night but stayed until after the camp fire laughs and smores. We had a great time, would do it again in a heart beat but maybe in March when it's a little warmer.... :)

collections from "Our Beautiful Life"

Aiden now has a chore chart. He received ten stars which means he can choose what he wants to do (out of limited options controlled by us) and he chose playing games at Chuck-E-Cheese. London's firts ride on a motorcyle with "brother".


Fun at Island Park





Dinner with friends Keith, Heather and Chase



We can't stare long enough!

Our models.....




Cuddling them never get's old.

It was Aiden's turn to get a piece from his lil' sis.....


Bathtime fun....our favorite hour!

Homemade peanut butter cookies. He is mommy's little worker/helper.

Pumpkin Patch and Trunks of Treats

I just love this picture. London picking her nose and Aiden with his eyes closed.....classic picture moment when you have children. Throw the poses out and let reality "click" in!

We were able to teach Aiden that the junk inside of a pumpkin is like the junk we have inside our hearts and just as we are able to clean out the junk from the pumpkin so God is able to clean out the junk inside of us if we allow Him. He totally understood, as he has already asked Jesus into His heart. We had a great time! First year using a knife almost by himself.




To Aiden EVERYTHING is a drum, including pumpkin seeds!

The finished product! The family pumpkin was Rev. 3:20 with a door carved into it and Aiden's pumpkin was a sun! We had soooo much fun doing this and with Aiden being older it's only getting better.

He went as an English guard this year and the rest of us went matching in our London sweaters bought just for us by daddy when he was over in London a few months ago.



"The girls", Boston, London and Moriah. One day they will be mall buddies!


Aiden and friend Jonas

London guard by day and Pirate by night! Couldn't get any better for our little man!