Our ward camp out at Ensign Ranch

We packed up the car and headed out to Eastern, Wa near Ellensburg for our ward camp out. It was the first time we had taken the kids camping. They had so much fun. Before Jon got home I cut up chicken, potatoes, carrots and onions and made foil dinners to go into the coals of the fire. They tasted fabulous. The Harris's had there fire roaring so we cooked them there and had s'mores.

Jon taking a shot of me. Brrrr I was cold.

J sitting in his chair watching others roast marshmallows.

I had this bright idea to but LARGE campfire marshmallows and Tay and

I stuffed them in there mouths. Silly kids!

My three kids with one of my friends girls sitting with them and once again J with a stick as usual.

The family pic in the woods. Aren't we cute.

After we had breakfast we packed up the tent and our things and headed to go canoeing. We could only have 3 people per canoe so Jon went with the boys and I took Tay. I had a hard time maneuvering canoe so I borrowed one of my friends kids to help me because all I was doing was turning in circles.

After we were done we headed home because my varicose veins were acting and the kids were tired. All and all it was great time and we cannot wait to take them camping again.

Blissful Quiet at the Beach

Jon and I had the chance to borrow a friend of ours in the ward beach house at Ocean Shores for the weekend. We arranged for two kids to stay with Jon's parents and the oldest to stay with my Aunt. Thanks to both of them for being willing to watch our rugrats. It really had been quite awhile since we had more then one night away from our children. We left Friday night and arrived at about 10pm. The next morning we went to the local grocery store and purchased some items for lunch, headed to our favorite candy shop for chocolate covered cinnamon bears and chocolate covered raisins and then we headed to the beach to walk around and play. What I mean by play is Jon said to me we should run into the flock of Seagulls and see what they do. So we did and it was so much FUN! I haven't laughed that hard in years. Later that night we decided to head over to the Casino for dinner. When we arrived the lady asked us if we had reservations um no I said and her reply it would be an 1 hour wait. No biggie we headed to the casino to play the slots. We each had $5 dollars and when it was time to go eat we ended up .44 richer! Whoo Hoo. The dinner was amazing and the company was even better. We had a great time reconnecting with each other and just relaxing, sleeping in etc... I forgot my camera so I only took this picture Sunday morning out the back yard of the house we were staying in. We walked for awhile and found TONS of shells.

and I took this picture when I got home. We found quite a few whole sand dollars. I was so excited because I haven't been able to find whole ones for years!

Thanks babe for a great weekend! I love you and thanks for being my best friend :)

Another picture taking event by the.... not me!

Somehow once again my children got a hold of the camera.

And how they managed this I do not know

But they sure are cute :)

Our First road trip in the Swagg

Jon and I had the opportunity to go on a road trip with the kids the weekend of the July 30-31st and we decided to head the the Oregon coast. To save money on a hotel we stayed in Vancouver with Jon's aunt and uncle on Thursday the 29th and then got up early to head to the coast and our first stop was the Tillamook Cheese factory. I took this picture on the drive there and took pics of each of us on the road to get some cheese.

When we arrived we were hungry so they have a cafe and we got lunch first and then the Ice Cream. OH MY GOODNESS! the ice cream was to die for.

Tay showing off her licking skills

all three with there tongues hanging out.

My sexy man eating Grandma's cake batter and Chocolate Peanut Butter! Mmm is all I have to say.

and the picture taker me actually gets a picture taken eating Grandma's cake batter as well. Oh my goodness was it good!

While stood in line to change I's diaper Jon took the kids to get their pics taken in the cow

they took turns and then they got one

together.

When I was done with diaper changing we headed over to buy some cheese and especially cheese curds. Well I headed to buy them because J and Tay were having a melt down as you can see. So I stood in line to buy the cheese.

I just loved this sign!

And this is the ice cream line! Luckily when we got in line it was short. Got the cheese and then we were on our way to Seaside.