Family Camp: Day Two, Quad Fever & Easter

What's the best way to start your day?

With a shower!

But since we didn't have that-or even running water for that matter, the next best thing is a delicious breakfast! Samuel's mom makes a mean oatmeal, and though I don't think that's high on anybody's list, coupled with bacon, sausage and hot buttered toast, in the cold early morning mountain air this is a meal that is not to be missed!

Who should come hopping into camp on this fine mosquito laden day?

The Easter Bunny, a.k.a Aunt Rachel!

The kiddies enjoyed some yummy treats and made this super-cute chick!

Iris snacking on some fresh fruit with her cousins Ali and Meghan.

Uncle Houston instituted another tradition by bringing up his quad.

Yes, that is Owen teetering under the huge helmet! If my mom saw these pics I would be DEAD for letting my kids on this "deathtrap"!

Hi Mom!

Rip-roarin' Iris

Monster-truck Ava

Dainty Bella

Off-roadin' Olivia
(Though I did scream almost the entire way in first gear!)

Hee-hee!
I told Sam's mom point-blank:
This is going on the blog!

Mamma-Jamma Clista

Let me hark back to the late 80's and early 90's by saying:

You go girl!

Special Note:
You'll notice that Samuel is missing from this collection of quad-riding photographs. Let's just say that I didn't want to feed his hysteria over the darn things. There was even talk of the uncles going in on one together.
Silly boys!

And yes honey, the answer is still
"NO".

Family Camp: Day One, Halloween Spook-tacular

What is it about vacations that makes me grossly underestimate how much time it will take to pack for seven people?

This years camping trip was no exception and Sam and I were up until the wee hours of the morning getting ready. The fact that we got on the road two hours later than planned was met with cheers from the kids. Why? Because that's early for us! I'm surprised we made it out in under three hours!

When we arrived, Ava served as tour guide up "Maddie Mountain", the super huge rock formation just across the creek from camp. At it's peak you can see for miles and the breeze is wonderful!

On the way back down we ran into my nephews who were just climbing up. We couldn't resist a second ascent.

We came across this cool rock formation that looked like a giant loaf of sliced bread (see the rock behind Ava).

Last years camp theme was "Knights & Dragons", this year we chose "Holidays". This fun tradition results in different games & activities for the kids for each day of camp.

Aunt Elizabeth was in charge of Halloween and she didn't disappoint with fun masks...

and a tent-to-tent trick-or-treat!

Happy Halloween!

Really? Marshmallow Cream in...what?

A bizarre recipe in Samuel's family is the Marshmallow and peanut butter sandwich. Samuel says they taste great, and his sister Rachel even insists that marshmallow creme is healthier than jelly. Now, I don't know about that, but I did verify her claim that jelly has more sugar...so who knows?

But when I ran out of jelly for lunchtime p.b. & j.'s, the marshmallow creme seemed to glow on the shelf saying, "Use me!".

So to the happy cheers of my kids, we made the sandwiches and of course they loved them!

Later Sam came home and showed me where the whole jar of jelly was hiding in the fridge.

Go figure!

The Monster Zucchini

We garden sat for our neighbors the Wares and they were kind enough to share their crop while they were away. As I was rustling around in their garden I came across this honking huge zucchini! We call it the monster zucchini, and I could barely get Owen to hold it long enough for me to snap the picture!

Seeing what wonderful fruits and vegetables we can grow with really very little effort made me determined to be a more diligent gardener. There is no better feeling than getting your hands a little messy, plucking the freshest of produce, and tasting the difference (homegrown beats store bought hands down)!

I guess you could say we're turning over a new leaf...

Thank you Wares!

12 Kids and Counting...

Samuel and I had the pleasure of hosting our rambunctious nieces and nephews for our monthly date night.

And though the weather was hot,
the water was not!

(Like my rhyme?)

And we drenched the kids in it!

We don't have a pool, but they soon improvised...

Gabriel didn't know what to make of all the screaming. I'm just glad all the neighbors were clammed up in their homes with their windows tightly shut and the air conditioning on full blast. They were oblivious to the mayhem!

Samuel almost killed himself blowing up our sprinkler beach ball! Thanks honey!

Mischievous Messy Meghan!

I was able to escape for a few minutes...

to prepare the feast!

Do you think they need to wash their hands before eating?

How about a good hose down instead?

To be a kid again...

As night fell and the temperature began to dip, we took the kids to Mahaney Park.

We thought we'd have the place to ourselves since technically the park closed at sundown, but within minutes family after family poured in eager to let their kids burn some energy.

Finally parents came a callin' and we headed home.

Samuel and I were exhausted! But we're so looking forward to three months of dates before our turn rolls around again!

Family Camp Shopping

Every year Samuel's family heads just south of Truckee for 5 days and 4 nights of camping. It's a tradition that began many, many years ago and one that will most certainly continue.

Before we even get on the road though, we have to shop for all the delicious meals we'll make. What better place to head then Costco?

My mother-in-law Clista, and two of my many sister-in-laws, Leah & Elizabeth.
They can be super silly which means laughing a lot is a given.

Me and the babes: Gabriel and his cousin, Wyatt (Leah's son).

Woodchuck Flats
(yes, that is really the name!):

Here we come!

Harry Potter & The Half-blood Prince

Quite a few years back we began an Elmer family tradition called the "Annual Trip to the Movies". It's so much fun to get the extended family together for that "must-see" film.

This year we saw, "Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince".

Though I thought the movie could have been a bit better...

I never regret an evening out with my sweetheart!

Should we have a bit of snogging, eh?

Where are my Pencils?

At

Miss Isabella's
House of School

She has been busy, busy rounding the younger children up for daily lessons. The little ones have loved it and work so hard! I love when they come out after hitting the books ready for P.E. or a visit to the "cafeteria" for lunch.

And yes,
I am the cafeteria lady.

Ballet Storytime

We've been long overdue in getting ourselves to the library for a free summer program, and when I checked the schedule I was excited to see that the Placer Theater Ballet Company was giving a story time at Roseville's Downtown Library.

I started getting ready at 7:30 in the morning to ensure we'd get to the 10:30 AM show on-time! I'm notorious for being late and didn't want to miss this! Luckily, everything went smoothly and the kids nabbed some front row seats.

I'm so glad we made the effort because the story time was magical! The girls were breathtaking in their Nutcracker costumes and the stories were wonderful!

Afterwards they taught us the 5 positions of ballet, and even demonstrated ballet en pointe!

Though they were gracious enough to pose for a photo, Owen was not! He hung to the side adamantly refusing to get anywhere near the dancers!

Before we left the girls accepted the invitation to touch the costumes.

They were in awe!

And so was I!