Justin's first trip to camp!

Justin was invited by his friend Diego to go to camp...for a whole week! This was big for him. He has a history of not doing well away from home and in particular being away from me, but he really wanted to go. Diego had been telling him how much fun it was, so he was ready to spread his wings and accept the invitation. He went knowing that he would have no contact with me, was sleeping outside (not in a tent) and that we were leaving the day after he returned for our big road trip. As the camp neared, I would ask him "what if" questions..."what if you getting a tummy ache?", "what if you get home sick", "what if you get scared?"  He always answered with "I will just have to suck it up!" He also said he knew the first night would be the hardest but that he was excited. All of his responses put me at ease, realizing that he really was ready to do this. I was excited and nervous for him. 

Finally, the day had arrived and it was time to take him to Camp Woodmen at Gold Hollow Camp in Nevada City.

First, we needed to say our goodbyes. Sniff, sniff. Travis and Justin said they wouldn't miss him but isn't that what brothers are supposed to say? 

Justin asked me to draw a heart on his hand so that when he was missing me he would look at it and know I was near. ❤️

We found Diego! Him and Justin explored camp together.

Every camper had to take a swim test to see whether they could swim in the leg and take the canoes out on their own. Justin passed easily! He said the water was cold!! 

The boys slept on cots outside. Justin got his spot all set up. They had to walk up quite a hill to get to their deck. 

A week passed....a very long week....I missed Justin a lot!! I was worried about him, hoping he was sleeping ok and was having fun. I was so excited when it was time to pick him up. 

When I picked him up, he was happy, he was tired and he had fun, a lot of fun! He said the skies were "gorgeous" at night and that he saw many shooting stars. He hiked to a waterfall and even got to slide down part of the fall, which he said was one of his favorite activities. He did lots of arts and crafts, flag football, whiffle ball and skits. He had box car races and frog races and took the canoe out on the lake. He went to camp dances and carnivals. He made lots of new friends and loved his camp counselor (16 year old Riley), who apparently had just two rules...take a shower every day and "if your going to do anything your not supposed to do, come see me first and I will help you get away with it."  Haha. Riley also challenged his boys to ask a girl to dance at the first dance and he would buy sodas all week for those who did! Of course, Justin accepted that challenge and was a hit on the dance floor, which is where he met Grace, whom he now has a crush on.😃

I think it's safe to say that Camp was a success!  He had a great time and has asked to go back again next year. 

Sometimes you just look "awesome"

Ryan came to me the other day and said, "Mom, can you buy me one of those muscle shirts?"

 He was so excited when I gave him this outfit today. He immediately took the clothes he was wearing off and put these on. Then, he starting flexing and says, "This shirt makes me look awesome!"  Haha! Well, I guess he isn't modest and is a little full of himself instead! I have to admit, he does look pretty cute and he definitely has the muscles to pull off a muscle shirt. 

Road Trip Preparations

I never thought we'd be going on a nearly 2.5 week road trip, grand, epic adventure but here we are packing up and getting ready to go. A trip to Montana has been on our minds for years now but never knew exactly how to pull it off. Then, last year, we bought our first trailer. I LOVE our trailer. I am so happy just to be in it, to organize it and to spend time in it and create memories with the family.

 With the addition of the trailer, we just needed something to motivate us. The motivation came in the form of an email from Diane Whitmore, Jeff's birth mom. She sent us an email inviting us up for this 4th of July to go on their annual family camping trip with them. It had been something we talked about, we had the means and the trailer to make it work now and we haven't seen the Whitmores since Jeff graduated high school 25 years ago! So here we are just 5 days away from leaving on our grand adventure! 

There is a lot of prep work for camping and being on the road for that length of time! It has taken a lot of planning and a lot of list making but it is starting to come together. 

I'm excited and anxious about our trip. Excited to spend good quality time with my family, to visit two amazingly beautiful National parks and to make some connections with the Whitmores. I am anxious about the many, many hours we will be spending in the car. The kids are not too sure what to think about this trip quite yet. They don't like car rides and feel uncomfortable with spending several days with people we don't know. I'm hoping that at the end of the trip, they will have a new perspective and will come out of this with many great memories. Stay tuned for updates! 

Hannah

Kimmy and Hannah are here for a visit. I am so thankful that they decided to take the time and effort to make the trip to California. It has been so wonderful getting to snuggle with Hannah and to watch Kimmy in the mommy role. She is doing such a great job! Hannah is so sweet and cute....we just can't get enough. It's going to be hard to say goodbye. 

A new "do" for Justin!

It's been a year and a half since Justin started letting his hair grow out.  The kid has GREAT hair! It is so thick with a bit of wave to it, perfect for the grown out style he has been sporting. 

It was haircut time a couple days ago and as I was about to get started with his usual trim he says, "Cut it off.  I want it short!" Honestly, I never thought I'd hear those words because he has loved his longer hair.  I questioned him just to be sure.  When I felt confident that he was sure I had to take one more important step before taking the clippers to him.....call his daddy!  The only person that loved his long her more than Justin was Jeff! He LOVED his hair!  Once I prepared him for what he would see when he got home, we got started.

I must say, I think he looks so handsome with his new clean cut look!  Mostly what I love about it is that his freckles stand out even more now.  I find myself just staring at his cute little face now. 

Travis and Ryan got their standard haircuts as well.  Short must be in, cause Ryan asked me to cut his mowhawk off as well. 

Freckles!!

I am in love with Justin's freckles!  They are so dang cute!  Thankfully, he loves them too! He hopes that they never go away....at least that is his opinion at age 8!

Trying to Stay Warm

It is so cold this morning! Travis and Justin are at their first 8am Saturday morning baseball practice and it is bitter cold!  Luckily Ryan and I have our hats and gloves and a doggy that wants to run.