Wordless Wednesday

ITS GO TIME!

We {HEART} Camping

Last weekend we loaded up our camping gear and drove up into the Wenatchee National Forest north of Yakima.

We got a lot of crazy looks when we told people we were driving 4.5 hours each way to reach our camping destination for just a two night trip.

But we had our reasons,

namely these two:

my BFF Amanda (she and I go waaaayyy back) and her fiance Chris, who both live in Seattle.

We met them at this semi half way point between Clarkston and Seattle for some time in the great outdoors.

And great it was!

We enjoyed some delicious meals around the campfire.

Amanda introduced us to Kalbi Beef, which was prepared kabob style.

My mouth is watering just thinking about it again.

Dee-lish!

We threw Kendry into the Kelty and hiked the short distance up to Boulder Cave, where we were a little freaked out over the "watch for bats" signs.

Funny there were no "watch for giant slugs" signs.

The cave exit:

As cool as the cave was, I was fairly relieved to get back into the daylight.

Walking through that kind of darkness with only the tiny beam of my flashlight as a guide started to give me Blair Witch Project flashbacks.

Plus, bats give me the heebie jeebies.

I didn't actually see any, but I know they were there.

I think Kendry and Justin shared my relief at exiting the cave.

Make new friends but keep the old,

one is silver the other is gold.

Kendry threw about 100 rocks into the river over the course of our weekend.

Look at that technique!

Without a doubt, Kendry is happiest when he is outside.
So what better time to request a kiss for the camera?

After our amazing Kalbi Beef kabobs (seriously folks, you gotta try this meat), we cooked up some s'mores.

Actually, Amanda brought Reeses peanut butter cups to use instead of the standard Hershey bar.

What can I say? The girl knows how to eat well when camping.

I may never eat another old school s'more again.

My new favorite kiddo pics:

While the weather was a wee bit cooler than we expected

it was still a fun and memorable weekend.

Justin even saw his first bear!

The icing on the cake was getting to drop in on my friend Phyllis in Yakima on our way home.

(this is me kicking myself for not getting a photo of our visit)

We love you, Phyllis!

Ten on Tuesday

1.

Happy Summer Soltice!

2.

Sorry we've been absent on here lately.

It feels like we've been walking a fine line between nothing newsy going on and feeling too busy to blog.

Such is life.

3.

Kendry's new favorite book is one of my ultimate faves:

But as much as I enjoy reading it to Kendry - he actually sits through the entire book! - it breaks my heart to hear him refer to "Love You Forever" as "the potty book".

Did they really need to put a picture of a toilet on the cover?

(sigh)

4.

And no, that is not an indication that Kendry is using a potty these days.

But we're getting closer!

5.

It was gorgeous here yesterday (and today)-

perfect rock-n-roll in the car weather, know what I mean? 

So I switched my radio over to the local classic rock station

and found myself actually singing along with 7 songs in a row;

at which point I decided that I am either more cultured than I thought I was when it comes to classic rock,

or with each passing day I am becoming more 'classic' myself.

6.

And with that in mind, you should know that I will NOT be celebrating a 31st birthday this year.

I've grown rather attached to 30 and I think I'll keep her around for awhile longer.

7.

My new toy:

8.

Justin's new toy:

9.

On June 11th we attended the annual Dru Gimlin 3-on-3 tourney in Quincy.

Kendry is already counting the years until he can participate.

10.

Our house is a disaster right now, but its just gonna have to stay that way a little bit longer cuz

WE'RE GOIN' CAMPING!!!

Cue the Veggie Tales s'more song!

"Graham cracker, graham cracker, choc-o-late bar, sitting 'round the campfire under the stars..."

Love is...

LOVE IS...

Eating through 2 entire bags of tortilla chips...

+

            

1 whole block of Velveeta...

and 2 cans of beanless chili...

+ 

 

in less than a week's time...

between just the two of you.



But they are so worth it.

And by 'they' I mean my amazing hubs...

and Tom Selleck, of course.

Wordless Wednesday

Two Fast

 1 Week Old:

 2 Years Old:

To Our Sweet Kendry:

You are truly the light of our lives.

Daddy and I dreamed about you for so long - long before we saw your heartbeat for the first time, long before you were finally placed in our arms two short years ago. Sometimes we feel like God decided to spoil us with the most beautiful and bright child because we went through so much to have you.

Your personality has emerged so much over the last year. You talk nonstop (kinda like your Mama) and love each milestone of independence you achieve, like opening doors (even bathroom doors closed for privacy), turning lights off and on, taking off your shoes, and climbing out of your crib all by yourself. You repeat nearly every word you hear perfectly, with the exception of 'hoop'; instead, you say basketball 'poop'. And you say it a lot because your Daddy has already made you into an avid sports fan. You often ask us to turn the TV to baseball and basketball, and you like to shout "Niiiiice!" after a great play (just like your Daddy does).

You love to lead with "How about...", followed by a long pause, when you are suggesting an idea. You say "See, I can do it!" each time you do something by yourself - the exact words we used to encourage you time after time. Your most recent favorite statements are "Come on, Mom" and even "Hurry up". Just this week you told Daddy to "skootch" when he was in your way.

Your favorite books are "Goodnight Moon" and "Mommy Hugs", which I would happily read to you a hundred times a day. Some days it feels like I have.

You sing your ABC's like an old pro and can do the phonics for almost every letter. Your favorite song is "If You're Happy and You Know It".

You can count to thirteen, but you always skip over the number 4. We'll keep working on that one.

You want to do every task by yourself. You could play outside all day long, especially with your basketball 'poop'. You love taking walks with Mommy to see the goats, sheep and horses that live around us. You always want to talk on the phone whenever someone calls, and you are addicted to your cousin Addy's singing video on Facebook. You are incredibly social and say hi to every single person in the grocery store.

You are still a very big boy, measuring 37.5 inches (99%) tall and weighing 32 lbs (89%). You are wearing 3T-4T tops and 3T bottoms. You wear a size 8.5 wide shoe - but that doesn't surprise any of us since you come from a long line of big feet.

You wake every morning with a big smile.

You still look like a baby when you sleep.

We pray that you always walk in the Truth.

May you always know just how much your Mommy and Daddy adore you, and may you come to learn that Jesus loves you even more than that.

May you have a kind heart and strong conviction.

May your love for reading continue to grow.

May you grow to be as tall as your Uncle Dru.

May your fair skin never suffer the sunburns your Mommy's skin has.

May you laugh many times each day, and not be too proud to cry.

May you trust in God's plan for your life because we know it will be amazing.

We love you, bud!

Love,
Daddy & Mommy