ahhhhh.....

after almost exactly TEN years, we have returned to camping. two days of togetherness, adventure, and happiness. no screens, no boredom (even during a rainstorm), and LOTS of fun. what kept us away for so long we don't know - but we are sure glad to be back.




we went for lots of great walks...some of the boys got a little out of control. why do boys just push the limit every chance they get??? they made nana so nervous!!!

i guess we should have helped angie instead of just photographing her, but it was too funny! leif certainly does not not take a back seat to life...here is is after being caught...a little wet but safe and happy!

there were many reminders on the necessity of being safe - none of which actually made it into their heads. how could they even think of staying with the group OR staying out of the water. there was a whole new world to discover!




we love being together -


there was plenty of time for thought, and wonder -
and i even got my first flower picked from ben :)
why does he look so big all of the sudden?????

our secret place

we have a "secret place." it's secret to the kids because we take a hidden trail and we NEVER see anyone else there. it is a place of magic and mystery and always the best time. when it seems that things aren't quite going our way, we go to the secret place. it's life's best medicine.

we usually find some pretty cool things...like this giant piece of gold!

...or "rescuing" this caterpillar from the water. lila took really good care of it and may have loved it a little too much. we are trying to teach the "if you love it set it free" theory on captured wildlife. we'll keep trying.

it was all too much for ben i guess :)

it is a place full of wishes come true.

here's a video of lila's big catch...

a boys brain...

works MUCH differently than mine. it seemed perfectly normal to sean to eat a bowl of chili and half of a grapefruit all WHILE sawing a piece of wood. at least he remembered to wear his safety gear!

keep on dancing!

we said goodbye yesterday to hatch dance company. they are closing and sean, lila, anna, and mia were lucky enough to dance in their last performance. hatch opened our eyes to a new thought on dancing. there were very few routines and the kids were allowed to dance as the music moved them. it is very cool to watch. they LOVED it!! modern dance is so cool.

warming up...

feeling out the stage...
getting a little confident with the help of mia!







they each had their own spots. so cute.








and they danced................
sean waited patiently for his turn and debut as the a sea green monster. none of us knew that sean would enjoy dancing as much as he did. it was so energetic and fast moving however, right up sean's alley. he would become so absorbed in his performance that he was often the last to leave the stage. i am so glad i gave him the chance.

the final dance...even miss germaine danced!

well done guys!!!!!

spaghetti and ice cream

keeping up with the "firsts" theme, i couldn't pass this one up. ben is the messiest eater but he gets better every day. first spaghetti and first ice cream cones are priceless. he has caught on and now just hearing mister softee makes him crazy. he waits in line with the kids and holds his hand out until he gets a cone. and he can eat the whole thing...

joy!!!!

thank goodness jason is so patient and let ben have his moment.


ben follows the tradition of thompson ice cream addicts...
and yet another great ben video. i think he is so funny!!

a great visit

we finally made it to cape may to visit "grandmom and pop pop down the shore." ben hated the car too much last year so we didn't get a chance. what a great weekend! (and ben was so great in the car...yeah!) it is such a peaceful place and we all loved being together. sean and lila told us about a million times that they wished we lived there. i agree- i haven't felt that good in a long time.

here's ben getting a lot of love from grandmom...

we also got to hang out with nana beth and pop pop henry which is always a great time. we had some great meals by the water, some visits to the boat of course and the promenade. thank goodness for pop pops who love to treat at the arcades!!!

lila just couldn't believe how many tickets she won!!!!!


we also had a great day on the bay beach. it's the same spot jason visited as a kid and the first beach for sean and lila as well. i found great joy in watching ben see this beach for the first time. last summer he was so young, but this year he took it all in...feeling the sand for the first time...

seeing the water...
doing what his big brother and sister are doing, but not quite sure why. he's a fast learner...

here are some video clips of ben in the sand and jumping waves for the first time. there is just something great about watching someone experience something for the first time. the excitement of something new and wonderful. i'll never forget it.