There's Nothing Like the Valley

That would be the valley where Sugar Creek Bible Camp is located.  Tim and I both worked at SCBC when we were in college.  Tim worked two summers, 2002 and 2004 and I worked with him in 2004.  Sugar Creek will always hold a special place in our hearts because of the time we spent their, the amazing people we met (and our still friends with) and the memories we have.  This spring, one of our friends decided to do a 10 Year Reunion for those people who worked in 2002.  Well, other people also wanted to come, so it became a 10ish Year Reunion for those who worked between 2000-2004.  We knew we wanted to go dn have been looking forward to it all summer! 

We got in on Friday night and had dinner with some amazing friends at a local pizza place.  When we got back to camp, we had a bonfire.  It was perfect!  We put Cameron to bed and the rest of us hung out by the fire.  Hannah got tired and ended up sleeping on a blanket, next to the fire, under the stars.  It was so cute! 

The next morning, we had breakfast then took Hannah and Cameron to the barn to go on their first horse rides.  Hannah was so excited!  She has since decided she needs some pink cowgirl boots!

She did really well on Buddy, her horse.  We did two laps around the corral and she would have kept going if she could have. 

We also let Cam have a turn...but it wasn't quite as nice as Hannahs.  He did suffer through one lap around the corral, but really didn't care too much about being on Buddy.  Maybe when he's bigger!

After that, we drove up to the top of the bluff and hiked down to Jesus Point.  This is an especially memorable part of camp because this is where Tim proposed to me during the summer of 2004.  It is one of the most beautiful spots on camp.  You can look down and see most of the valley below you. 

We left after lunch so we could spend some time with Kyle, Nikki and Jordan before heading home on Sunday.  Even though our time at Sugar Creek was short, it was so nice to see so many friends and be in this beautiful place.  We had such a good time and Hannah loved "camping."  We may have to try a real camp out next summer!

Our Little Fish

This summer, Hannah was old enough to start taking swimming lessons at our wonderful community swimming pool (which we spent many days at this summer!).  One of the reasons why I loved doing lessons here is because our pool has a zero entry-3 ft. swimming pool so the lessons were done at Hannah's level.  She had so much fun!  Her confidence grew all summer with days at the pool and during swimming lessons.  Another thing that made lessons extra fun was that three of Hannah's friends did it with her.  Jackson, Cash, Emma and Hannah had so much fun!  Here are the two girls being cheesy before lessons one day.

At the beginning of every lesson, the kids would sit on the side of the pool and practice kicking and blowing bubbles.  Hannah had fun doing both.

Then, they would work on kicking both on their bellies and backs with a kick board.  They would also use a noodle to work on kicking while swimming with their "monkey arms."

Next, they would go to the side and practice jumping to their teacher.  This was one area where I saw so much growth in Hannah.  In the beginning of the summer, she wouldn't jump to anyone unless she was holding their hand.  Throughout the lessons, she got braver and braver and started jumping pretty far to her teacher. 

They also would go to the step area and practice going under water for a wrench.  Hannah didn't quite conquer that all the way, but did get better with every lesson.  At the end of each day, the kids would get to play in the pool - most days, Hannah said that was her favorite! 

I don't have a picture, but I also have to say that Hannah conquered another huge fear in the water.  All summer, she would go to an area she couldn't touch with her Puddle Jumper on because she didn't think it would hold her up.  On one of the last days at the pool, I look across the water and she comes swimming toward me in the deep end!  I was so proud of her for getting out of her comfort zone and accomplishing this feat.  I can't wait for next summer to see how much she improves in her swimming!

Our Nation's Birthday

 Happy Birthday, America!  We had a great day celebrating and it began at the big St. Louis VP parade in the morning.  We were thankful that my mom and dad arrived at the route bright and early so we could get seats in the shade for the whole parade.  It was a great morning.

We were so blessed that Nikki and Jordan came down for the week.  It was suppose to be a Pinterest project week, but we only got a little bit done.  Oh well!  It was quality bonding time amongst all and that is way more important.  Even though it was a warm morning, Jordan hung in during the parade and had a great time!

 Our bigger firecracker isn't all for smiling lately but I did get this great shot of Daddy and Hannah while we were waiting -- love them!

 Hannah was such a trooper during the hour wait for the parade to start.  One thing she loved was the Snap n Pops she got.  We had about six boxes and she did a great job of spreading them out.  It was fun to watch her learn how they work and play with them.

 It was fun to watch the parade with my mom and dad.  We have been going to this parade off and on since I was young.  Here they are with the kiddos!

After the parade, Tim, the kids, Nikki and Jordan and I walked to the Old Spaghetti Factory for lunch.  We headed home to rest then had a nice BBQ with our friends, the Larsons.  Unfortunately, we are experiencing an awful drought right now and many communities, including ours, canceled their fireworks.  With little ones, it would have been hard to get back to STL so we just watched some on TV.  Oh well!  Overall, it was a great day!

Fifteen Months of Cameron

Oh our little (BIG) man!  This was not an easy picture to take.  Mr. Cameron is always on the move and never slows down!  Although he still wobbles a little, he is walking (and falling) everywhere we go.  The life of boys!

At Cam's 15 month check up, he weighed in at 29 lbs. 13.5 oz (100th percent) and is 34.5" long (also 100th percent!)  Yes, I did say 100th percent.  Little brother should really be changed to younger brother!  Cameron is continuing to grow and partly because he loves to eat and drink his milk.  Right now, he would probably eat any kind of fruit and meat whenever possible.  We love having fresh fruit in the summer and so does Cam!  Even with only six measly teeth, he can shovel in the food.  He is also our big drinker and would have a sippy cup full of something all day if we let him. 

Cam is super active and all boy all the time!  I don't know how many times of the day he trips, falls, rolls, etc. and doesn't even bat an eye.  He is one tough guy and it doesn't seem to phase him when something happens.  His newest maneuver is to do a somersault like his big sis.  It's not quite perfect, but he thinks he is way cool and claps as soon as he is done!  I love it!  Cameron also loves music and LOVES to dance.  It doesn't matter what is on, he starts movin' and grovin' when there is music.  His face lights up and he starts squealing with excitement.

Cameron is at a really great age for learning and mimicking.  He repeats a ton of sounds and words and says "Mama," "Dada," "buh bye," "ball," "drink," "dog/Bosley" and "uh-oh" by himself.  It's amazing to hear him repeat something that he hears one of us say.  He is also learning some body parts and knows where his belly, nose, eyes and tongue are.  He is also still very observant and knows things like where his shoes go.  One of his cuter "tricks" is that he will blink for you when you ask him too.  Oh, and you can always find him because he has only one volume...loud!

Cam is definitely at the beginning of the testing limit phase and doesn't quite like to hear the word "no."  There are times when he totally knows he shouldn't be doing something, and goes as far as we will let him.  This is especially true with Hannah.  He is also learning what we do when we make a mistake and has started giving hugs and kisses when he is sorry.  This is especially sweet with Hannah.

Speaking of Hannah, Cameron is a great brother to her...usually!  I love watching their relationship develop.  As much as he usually wants only the one toy Hannah is playing with at the time, and bugs her to pieces at times, he loves his big sister.  He loves to hug and kiss and blow kisses and it's no different with her.  I very much enjoy watching their relationship grow.

The one word that comes to mind most often with Cam is happy.  He is such a sweet, happy boy who is always laughing and having fun.  It has been such a fun summer with him.  He is our little fish and has especially enjoyed our days at the pool.  We are so thankful for Cameron and can't wait to see how the next few months go.  We love you little man!