This Momma is not a camping girl...

Boy Scout Family Camp was this past weekend. Carson really wanted me to go with him, so I did.
I have had a really busy schedule for the past 6 weeks.  So, Eric did absolutely EVERTHING to get us ready for the trip.  The only thing I had to do was pack my clothes and Carson's. I really appreciate all that he did to get us ready and packed for the trip. 

We left right after school on Friday. 

When we got to camp, we set up our tent.

It was a very quiet and peaceful area.

Eric even got us camp lights to hang on our tent.  They were quite helpful for when we had to walk back to the tent and find it in the dark.

The first night, the temp was below freezing in the 30s.  I had on 2 shirts, 2 pairs of pants, 2 jackets, a fuzzy hat for my ears, a sleeping bag, 2 blankets, and about 6 hand warmers.  And the boys had on about the same.  But we were warm and cozy.

Saturday morning, Carson and Elliott were up and ready to have some fun.

Silly faces....

For breakfast, we had omelets boiled in freezer bags.  They were actually pretty tasty.

That morning everyone went to the fish hatchery.
Then in the afternoon, they had different stations to do: Compass skills, Knot making, and a service project of collecting firewood for our campfire and ceremony that night.

Our campsite...

While Carson did his activities, I read and took a nap.  It was actually a very nice and peaceful afternoon. ;)

For dinner, we had lasagna, green beans, garlic bread and salad made on a grill with a lot of Dutch ovens.  It was a great dinner. 

Then we made our way to the lake and sat around a fire for the ceremony.  The kids graduated to their next level.  Carson become a Wolf!  I am so proud of all the work he has done this year, and I'm proud of Daddy for making sure that he stays involved and gets his activities completed to earn his badges, beads, pins, and belt loops.

Carson is the one with the hat, waiting for his new yellow kerchief.

Sunday morning, we were up at 7:00 am, and we were packed and ready to go about 9:00 am. 

I did have a really good time, but I was very happy to see this tent being rolled up and put away!

Boy Scout Family Camp is now completed and I am one happy camper!

Easter weekend {2013}

We had such a busy Easter weekend!

Even though I had Friday off, I had so many errands to do that I was gone the entire day!
It didn't make for a restful weekend, but we did have a lot of fun!

Saturday, we had Sallee Easter at Grandma Pat's.
Carson sported his new hat - just adorable!

The girls were pretty as ever... and they participated in the hunt, because there is money to be found in them.  Works every time!

Carson loves a good Easter Egg hunt.  I just love his love for life and I so enjoy experiencing it with him.  

Khloe would only pick up the pink and purple eggs.  It was hilarious watching her pass so many of the eggs just because they were the wrong color. :)

The lineup after the hunt!  Cousins!

The next morning, Carson told me how tired he was.  And he just couldn't get up.  So, I told him that I would just have to check to see if the Easter bunny had come by myself.  His eyes then SHOT OPEN and he darted out of bed.  very interesting.....

I try not to get too much candy, because he always gets so much of it.  I had to throw away left over  Halloween candy just to make room in the "candy bowl" for the Easter loot.  Of course, he got a chocolate bunny.  That was a tradition from my childhood.  There always must be a chocolate bunny!

And, he decided that the Darth Vader eggs must be prototypes the bunny was trying out for the future since he hadn't seen them in stores.  Too funny.

 We had a great time at church.  Due to illness and trips, it had been awhile since we had been there and I do not like missing.  Life doesn't feel right without going each week to worship and refocus.

We had a low key pizza lunch at our house with the grandparents after church.  Ollie was so happy to have his family home.  He is such a sweet pup.  We really lucked out when we picked him.

 Grandma and Grandpa spending time with their grand "boys".

Grandma Pat, Eric (Daddy) and Carson

Our family of 3...

Our silly boy...

After the grandparents left, we decided to dye some Easter eggs. 

We have never dyed eggs with Carson.  I don't know why, but it seems that we get so busy that it just gets put off every year.  I decided that we needed to do it this year before he decides he is too old to do it.  He loved it, of course.  We'll have to do even more eggs next year. 

I'm sure he won't let us skip out on doing it now. :)

Our beautiful eggs turned out nicely.  Notice the E,L,C and O for all of our names. 

We had a great day, and I'm so thankful to my Lord and Savior.  We are all given grace through Jesus who died for our sins.  None of us are worthy of the grace and love that He shows us.  

We fail everyday.  I'm so grateful that he never fails and gave me the opportunity to have everlasting life with Him.  All I had to do was recognize that I am a sinner and imperfect and believe that He has come to save me from it all.  Now I am His FOREVER!  Nothing can change it.  

in my mind I'm goin' to Carolina....

Normally, I don't schedule much on Spring Break.  I like to spend my week at home relaxing and organizing..... NOT THIS YEAR!!

Kelly and I have been planning a trip to NC to see our sister-in-laws for about 2 years.  And, we finally were able to go!  Along with getting to see and spend time with them, we were planning to help them with some decorating and shopping for the house.  We spent 3 days shopping and made a very good start on getting the house just the way they want it. 

We also went somewhere great to eat every day!  The first night, we went to a local place called Epic Chophouse.  It was amazing!  The food was to. die. for.  And we celebrated Kelly's birthday that night too!

And the shopping began on Sunday..... Ikea..... need I say more?

 I fell in love with West Elm.... Move over Pottery Barn, I have a new L.O.V.E!

Kelly and I couldn't purchase any big items, as much as we would have loved to.... but I did manage to add to my Pandora ring collection.  The gray, black ring on bottom will always be a reminder of my wonderful Spring Break Trip of 2013!

And Kelly, surprised me with this book from Anthropologie that I have been eyeing for FOREVER!

There were many more  pics of our trip, but I didn't take the time to download them all.

We had such a great time laughing, talking, crying, shopping, eating, drinking, and loving....

I'm so blessed to have them all in my life.  I thank them for helping me to grow and learn and see life in a whole new way. 

let Santa eat cake!

We left cake for Santa this year.  We figured it might be a nice change from all the cookies he would probably be eating.  We also left a gingerbread house for him to see.  We always leave it under the tree so Santa can see our handywork. 

As we were preparing the plate, Eric took a drink of Santa's milk.  Carson was MORTIFIED that he drank out of Santa's glass.  Eric said, "Santa won't know the difference."  But, Carson was not having it.  He made us get a new glass.  Of course, Santa would not want to drink after Daddy.

We read The Night Before Christmas.  This is a recordable book that my mom and dad read and recorded for him a few years ago.  It's nice that they can be the ones to read it to him.  And, we read the actual reason for the season Christmas story from the book of Luke. 

After Santa came and left his presents..

 

 

....and ate the cake and milk.

Carson did get up about 5:00 am on Xmas morning, ran into the living room, saw the presents, then ran back and said, "I DID make the nice list.  I KNEW it!"

Then got back in bed and slept a few more hours until it was morning. 

I'm so glad he's a good sleeper!

 

Such a sweet boy....

sallee navidad: Twenty12

Sallee Navidad was at the Scott and Kelly Sallee home this year.  Kelly's house is beautiful!  She can take any room and turn it into a masterpiece.  And she did not dissappoint with Xmas decor, of course!  uh-mazing!

Just the ladies.... before Eric photo bombed the pic!

And it happens to be the only pic I have of him on my iphone this day.... So, it made the post!

And sisters! (someone didn't focus well)

The little cousins watching a movie with Gma Pat and Uncle Scott...

The FOOD!

Kelly made her homemade spaghetti sauce.  Yummo!

Teenage presents!  Gift cards!

Lego gift cards from Aunt Angie and Aunt Mindy!

Khloe's new fairy wings....

I made this sign for Keri's craft room.  She's in love with glitter! 

 And I ordered her a personalized planner for 2013.

I moustache you a question!!

We had a great time.  We grazed on food all day,  played a fun game with prizes, watched a movie, ate some more.... and it all went by way too quickly!!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!