Camping with friends

I am not really much of a camper anymore. I loved it growing up, but now that I am a mom I find that I don't sleep very well and I am always worried if the kids are warm enough (because I always seem to be cold). Ken is very glad that I still like like to go when good friends invite us. Camping with friends is the only way to go!

We loaded up the family and all our gear and headed up to Granby Lake the weekend after school started. The kids had a fantastic time playing with friends. They built awesome forts, loved building the fire, and eating s'mores. The adults enjoyed late nights talking around the campfire, playing horseshoes, and walks by the lake.

On Saturday, we took a short hike to Adams Falls. There was a series of beautiful waterfalls and the kids loved playing in the river. It was fun having a campsite so near the lake! We were lucky to get everything packed up and in the car just before the rain started to fall, as the lightening crackled overhead. It was a beautiful weekend and I loved the drive to and from the campsite as much as camping itself. Colorado is so beautiful and I am grateful for friends that make me go out and enjoy the beauty. :)

About to hike up to Adams Falls.

Love Calli's face in this one! She's not so sure about the canoeing.

First Day of School

Toward the end of summer, around the time we start getting the school supplies for the year, my kids start itching to go back to school. We are pretty lucky that all of our kids enjoy school. Peyton was even more excited because she was starting kindergarten!

We attended back to school night and met all the kids teachers --they have great teachers this year! Ms. Ingraham was Morgan's 3rd grade teacher (and her favorite teacher during elementary school) and was thrilled to have her again for 5th grade. Trevor has a new teacher named Ms. Doughty and knew Trevor enough to give him the tallest desk in the classroom. :) Peyton's teacher, Mrs. Dreitz, was so nice when we walked in and said she was excited to teached one of the Siders' kids. That sure made us feel welcome!

The first day arrived with much anticipation. The kids were up and ready and couldn't wait to get out of the door. I'm sure glad they love to learn and love going BACK TO SCHOOL!

"The Cabin"

You know those friends, that over laughter and tears, inside jokes, and time spent together, that have become family. We are richly blessed to have some of those in our life and every summer we meet up together in Montana at the DeBry family cabin just outside of Yellowstone. We have been going since before Morgan can even remember. In our family, we simply refer to it as "the cabin."

Each year the group picture has expanded, but there are wonderful activities that we look forward to. Ken looks forward to hiking, fishing, canoeing, shooting, horseback riding, and time with the guys. I look forward to reading a book curled up on the most comfortable couch EVER (and some of that other stuff too). The kids play with their friends and we play with ours. We talk and laugh late into the night. We are totally off the grid; no phone or internet. From those large picture windows we see a bit of heaven on earth and are surrounded by some of those we love most.

It is a tradition that we love and are so grateful that Mark and Malinda invite us year after year. Here is some of the picture highlights from "The Cabin -- 2011."

Lunch with the ladies at the Beartooth Cafe.

The hike up to Woody Falls.

The summit of Sheep Mountain with Pilot and Index behind.

Morgan's pinewood derby

It seems that the Activity Days girls wanted to get in on the fun of a pinewood derby. Morgan and Ken attended the "Robert Wagner school of Derby Cars" one Saturday and got Morgan's car ready. I think Ken was possibly more excited than Morgan and really looked forward to working on her car with her.

The big day came and everyone there had a good time! There were some amazing cars that the girls (and their dads) had worked so hard on. Overall, Morgan's car came in second place and she was thrilled with that. All the kids loved cheering Morgan and her car on. It was a great activity! Ken is already counting down to Trevor being in cubscouts so he can do it again. :) Way to go Morgan!!!