Marin goes to camp

Firsts... She is my first born, and the first one to go to overnight camp. I mean, this girl hasn't even done a sleepover outside the family yet. But she begged to go to 4th/5th church camp, and Beaverton Foursquare is well known for its amazing camps. This is not their first rodeo (even if it's ours). Kyle and his siblings even went to their camps growing up! We got our supplies, labeled all the tags, packed her bags, prepped her for fun, sun and new experiences at Camp Crestview. We prayed our hearts out, that she would be touched by God during this week. She did not skip a beat, just ready to go for it.

What an amazing week it was. She had so many stories from climbing rock walls, swimming (passing the deep water test too! passed that swim class just in time), the "black hole" waterslide, field games, worship concerts, learning about the life of Joseph in the Bible. Also so many glimpses of incredible relationships, from her two college aged counselors who left a huge impact, to the many other friends and mentors there at camp who spoke life into my little girl. She came home, really, a different person. I noticed this especially as we drove home from the Camp BBQ... Tears streaming down her face in the back seat of the car, as she came to the realization that she was saying goodbye to people and places that had touched her heart. Part of her re-entry into "real life" again, was us making a scrapbook together of all her pictures, journal entries, letters, momentos. It is something she can look at anytime she wants to remember her special week.

One theme of the camp was exploring "how do I know that I belong to God?"... The few weeks following camp were filled with lots of good conversation, and even a realization for Marin that she had still had yet to take that final step in relationship with Jesus. The step where you say "YES, I will follow You." Not because someone tells you to, but because you understand you need Him. To make up for your sin and shortcoming, to be your Rescuer, to be your solid foundation. I am so proud of her, and just praising God for ushering in such an amazing start to Marin's summer. Thank you God for Your kindness that leads us to You.

One last game of UNO before we drive to camp

Working in the school garden

The girls signed up for a week of "Quatama Garden Duty" where we tended to the school garden for one week of the summer. It was super hot during our week in June, so the kids and I went up every evening after dinner and watered, weeded and spread bark. Due to the hot weather, it also worked out well for me to spray naughty children if they needed straightening out (I'm looking at you Marcus)!

Happy Dancing Ballerinas

The girls tried ballet this year, it was a first for them at a real dance school. Their teacher Miss Kim is the most lovely and wonderful person on the face of the earth, so really I am ecstatic they had such a great mentor and experience trying a new skill. I think both girls have decided ballet is not their heart's passion, however they embraced this adventure, and ended the year with the most beautiful, sweet and heartfelt performance at recital.

Keeping busy waiting for their turn at dress rehearsal

Daddy trekked all over town looking for the perfect flowers for his little ballerinas

Post-recital dinner with all the grandparents

Days with friends

A few fun moments with our friends... Maddy & Max have a family with two kids where both have been in class with them at different times (two different schools too! public and private... small world for small people!)...

Also, we got to see our Texas friends the Sailers during their family reunion trip to the Northwest. For part of our time together, we took them to the zoo... My favorite part was Brooke marveling at all the gorgeous trees (it is something I've decided to stop taking for granted living in Oregon, all the beautiful green trees!)... Instant playmates with our combined eight kids... Sweet family and great memories with old friends.

Swimming Lessons 2015

Three kiddos in their yearly swimming lessons. A strange and wonderful thing happened this time around... THEY ALL PASSED!!!! I don't think this has ever happened in the history of our family. Way to go, hard working swimmers. What should we do to celebrate? ICEE's/popcorn at the snack shack, and a trip to Fred Meyer to buy our very own swimming pool (wink)... Since they passed and all :)

Piano recital

Another magical year of piano on the books! Madeline restarted piano in the fall after taking an extra year to be ready. Both girls got to play in the spring recital - they each played a solo piece, and also duets (Madeline and Marin together for one, and Marin played an additional duet with Teacher Jenny).

I know Maddy was super nervous, but she is really showing her growth - she played it cool and overcame her fears to perform in public. It is a big deal, y'all. It's one thing to master your songs in the privacy of your home, with your Mommy saying "Oooooh, that was soooo beautiful" every time you practice. It is a whole other thing entirely to play for strangers, and know how to roll with it if things go smoothly or not with your song. Both girls did amazing, I burst thinking about how wonderful it is that they have music in their lives.

Side note: both girls played piano in their school music class talent shows too!

Flowers for the recital girls

I love how Marin has her arm around Maddy...
Taking care of each other, always :)

Into the Woods

Kyle has been wanting to get our family out in the woods (yes, all six of us, Lord have mercy) so he can give the kids some experience with target shooting. The older three have done this before, so they know the ropes and are totally committed to the system. Dad runs an extremely tight ship (this is a good thing, believe me). The two year old is still an undisciplined wild child, so for him to be included definitely required Mom coming along on Marcus Patrol. Like I said, Sheriff Kyle is not about to let anyone fudge any rules where target shooting is concerned. We all knew our place, and this is why we can do these fun and exciting outings together! He did a great job showing the kids around, explaining the course, showing them the equipment, repeating and repeating and repeating the rules for them to follow. Such good experience! :) They kids had a blast (ha get it, see what I did there?) in the woods, and I love that they get to experience all these adventures!

Hugging a bear at the pit stop on the way

Edu-ma-cation

I've always got my eye on the Farcus

Eyes and Ears, they are ready to roll!

Marin

Maddy

Max

Marcus (oh dear) ~ tilting his head to see through the scope

Back-o-the-van shenanigans

Cantaloupe break