Happy 4th of July

Yep, our crazy fun-filled family got together for a fabulous Fourth of July/Birthday celebration.

I'm 3 now!

We had some time to kill before the fireworks began; and Aunt Whitney had some great games (Animal guessing & Speak Puppy Speak) to play as we sat and waited.

My mom told us that she plans on painting the house shutters the same color as the front door. Lydia joined the conversation and said, "Where are you getting the money for that?" The crowd roared with laughter! Scott and I have been teaching the kids about budgets/savings accounts. Well, I know that Lydia is listening! Way to go Lydia, keeping Gammie in check with her budget.

Here we Go, Happy Fourth Everyone!

Drawing us Closer

This man is amazing in every way.

I look forward to the garden each week so we can plan, work and love each other. I have noticed that we inspire one another throughout the long, hot day.

Onions and garlic

Onions

Pomegranates

Our corn this year is phenomenal! Everything sprouted.

Scott's mom, Alice has been buying him gardening books. One thing that we wanted to do this year is to build a trellis. Last year under the zucchini, cucumbers and melons we had squash bugs. This year the trellis is going to eliminate that and it will insure that our zucchini and cucumbers are straight.

Tomatoes

Making a friend

Porter LOVES trucks. We know the UPS man and garbage man by name. Porters favorite day is Wednesday, why its garbage day. He spends the day outside riding his bike around the house waiting for Ralph, the garbage man. Ralph stops and talks to Porter, honks the horn, and even when Porter isn't outside doing what he normally does, Ralph looks up at the bedroom windows and at the lower windows. He has even circled around later that day just to wave and see Porter. The week before his birthday Ralph gave Porter the mini garbage truck and toy brain. After we got back from Sunset Beach, Ralph came by in his personal car and dropped off the soccer ball for him. I couldn't believe it... on his day off.

Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach is always something to look forward to in our house. Scott has camped at Sunset Beach all throughout his childhood. And its been great to see our kids get excited about going just like Scott did. What's not to like... camping, all you can eat strawberries and going to the beach all day long.

Look out campers, the Campbell Clan are back!

The Squirrel Scouts

Erika as president. She made this up about 3 years ago at Clark Fort. The girls have wild and crazy fun each time they all get together. This camping trip they decorated shirts with fabric markers to match their bandannas that they made 2 years ago. Aunt Aleena and I have fun filling the time with activities for the little Squirrels to do.

I'm going to get you Porter!

I had fun running around the beach and tackling the waves with him. To bad Papa wasn't there, I'd be off the hook. Porter looks forward each year to Carmel, where Papa takes him and they both jump over the waves.

Ryan wanted to teach Uncle Scott a wrestling game that he learned at Scout Camp.

All the cousins enjoying the last few minutes we had at the beach.




Surprise Kids......Lets go to the Boardwalk!

Scott and I talked the night before and thought the kids would have a blast at the Boardwalk. McKenzie is the only one out of the kids that has been on a roller coaster. Everyone was the perfect height and age. We spent 8 hours there and still the kids didn't want to leave.

Fun was successfully executed!

What do we do when the ride doesn't allow me to go on.....Eat Ice Cream!

I think this was the top rated favorite ride by my kids. Why you might say, because of Daddy and his ability to SPIN, SPIN, SPIN them all around.

Porter and I shot ghosts.

I HATED this ride! I cant begin to express the anxiety I had as we went across the park. I had to have McKenzie and Lydia not even talk. And the marks from my grip; we wont even talk about that. I literally thought that all my kids were going to fall and die. Come to find out Scott had the same anxiety. Never again ever.

Happy 3rd Birthday Porter!

I believe that a birthday has never been so much fun; playing at the beach, roller coasters, camping. Who am I to tell him that it wasn't all for him. Right?!

I love you Buddy! You are such a big boy.

And to end the marvelous time we had. Porters favorite thing to do; taking the trash out! Its full now....