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!