Camping!!

 

The kids fall break fell on my 40th birthday and how else would I want to spend my birthday than camping!  Ha!

It was a bit, ahem, rustic.  But we had the most gorgeous weather and had a great time with our best buds the Gordon's, who were in the cabin right beside us.  

The cabins were right on the lake so it was very pretty and the kids spent the weekend fishing, kayaking and swimming.

 

Our home sweet home for the weekend. 

 It very much reminded me of the cabin we stayed at each summer while visiting " UpNorth" in Phelps, Wisconsin while I as growing up.

 

Jenny and I enjoying the peace and quiet.

 

These three ducks were a big hit for our visit.  The kids loved feeding them.

 

Amelia and Natalie, fishing buddies.

 

The boys spent most of the weekend fishing.

 

The little girls didn't want to be outdone.  

 

The kids also got a lot of use out of the cast net.  It was so peaceful sitting by the lake and letting the kids do whatever they wanted.  Such a nice weekend.

 

Glad the husbands were able to strap the kayak on the roof because we used it the whole weekend.  Lots of fun.

 

My sweet birthday buddy!  Amanda turned seven and I turned 33 years older than that!

Birthday wishes!

 

Birthday buddy!

 

One of the few times I could find Matthew and Luke to take a picture of them!

They played in the woods and swam and fished their little hearts out.

 

The big boys!  Stephen and Derek enjoying some time off of work.

 

Mimi and Daddy.

 

It was fun to wake up and be chilly and enjoy our coffee and hot chocolate on the deck.  After long Mississippi summer's, cool weather is very welcome!

 

My sweet girls.

 

The girls built themselves a girls fort and would call kid meetings, no adults allowed. 

 

You know it was a fun weekend because Addison's face looked like this the entire time.

 

Goofy Amanda and Addison.

 

The kids spent hours swimming at the swimming beach.  

 And my favorite memories were at night when we were all around the campfire.  Especially our last night when the kids all were singing praise music together and when we all learned the Church Clap dance.  It was a great way to ring in a new decade.

 

Our last morning was a chilly one and the girls were all bundled up.  

 

What a fun weekend with great friends!

Jenni's 40th Birthday-80's style

 

I turned the big 4-0 this month, wah wah.  But to take away the sting of getting older, Stephen and Jenny threw me a super fun, totally rad 1980's party.  It was fabulous!

Look at the amazing cake Jenny had made for me!  It was precious.  Even my exact tennis bag and racket and complete with me being the old grandma on the court!  

 

JGo and JBo in our 1980's best!

 

Stephen and I went true vintage 80's on this one and ordered these 1980's costumes off a vintage clothing site.  

 

Jenny and Derek looking totally awesome!

  

My friends did awesome on the theme!  Lots of different 1980's costumes, from valley girls, to rockers to Top Gun and Karate Kid!

It was so fun to see everyone arrive!

 

Loved Kristen's outfit from Ferris Bueller's Day off, she was Sloan and her husband was Ferris.  So good.  

Loved all of it!

 

Guns and Roses baby.  Amazing.

 

And just in case there was any doubt, yes I went there.  True vintage 80's, like I said.  

Like Olivia Newton John said, "Let's Get Physical!"

I had a great time celebrating with my friends and Stephen had lots of extra touches that made the party so special.  

Thank you honey!

Luke's 11th Birthday Party

 

Luke chose to have his birthday party at a giant arcade this year.  So we gathered up some buddies and off we went!

 

And this is the only picture I got of them at the party!  

The arcade was HUGE with rock walls and bowling alley and roller coaster so the boys scattered once we gave them their game card and that was that.  They had a blast and won a ton of stuff!

 

Then it was back to the house for pizza and cake.  

Here they are challenging each other with eating hot peppers.  Gross!  I guess that's 11 year old boys for you.

 

Starting to kick in!  Ha!

Luke had a great time with his friends and it was a fun day!