Love These Little People

Lately, I have been feeling very grateful for these three little people. I love them so much! They make my life so great. I'm so lucky to be their mother.

A Camping We Will Go

Bryan has been on vacation this past week and it has been so great! We decided to take a little camping trip (actually, with three kids it's never little!) since we had a couple of free days. After packing everything up and getting to the camp I decided that a Surburban is in my future for sure! Our little van was packed so tight. As Bryan was getting the kayak tied down he said, "It's our own Griswold family vacation!" It's a good thing we decided not to take the dog. I don't think we could have stuffed her in!

The kids were in heaven. They had so much fun. Bennett pushed this thing around everywhere and loved being outdoors.

While we were packing to go Chloe tried putting her 'fancy' clothes in her bag. I explained to her that you can't wear fancy clothes when camping because they will get dirty and ruined. It was a hard concept for her to grasp! She loves to be dressed up and looking pretty. Once we got there she got the hang of it and didn't mind being dirty- as long as her shoes were clean and dry. As soon as we got home she went up and put on her skirt and a 'fancy' shirt!

Here's our camp. It was very green and pretty, but not very secluded. I guess we are used to camping in Utah where you have lots of space and mountains to hide away in! Being 50 yards away from your neighbor is not really Bryan's favorite way to camp.

The kids loved cooking our food in the fire. We made tinfoil dinners, s'mores, and the kids new favorite fire treat- banana boats!

Their was a lake close by so we decided that we needed to go take an evening swim to clean up and get all that sticky humidity off. After a night and morning of rain the heat was very welcomed!

Benny is saying cheese for the camera while testing out Daddy's boat. We rented a canoe and Bryan took his kayak out on the lake. It was a beautiful sunny day. Niah was a champion paddler and really helped me in the canoe. I was highly impressed!

Bryan built us some great fires. I think he could have done without the wood that caused so much smoke though!

I had forgotten how much fun camping is. It's a lot of work with kids, but worth the effort. We had some great family time and it was nice to escape from life for a couple of days and just enjoy being our little family. It's always a good reminder to keep life simple and to enjoy the small moments with your kids. Sometimes I forget that.

I hope we can make this a family tradition because I think the kids now have a love for camping!

Birthday and Thanksgiving Celebration

Last week was one to remember! My WHOLE family came for the holiday and we had so much fun together. We started off with a big birthday party for me! We went to Hana Yori Hibachi Grill for dinner.

The girls did not like the big flames at all. Look at Chloe's face!! She was so scared.

My mom provided the cake and candles. I think there are too many candles on that cake! I didn't think I could blow them all out in one breath, but I did. My sister made me that cute hat and my parents gave me a Cricut Expression!!! I have been playing with it and making Christmas decorations. I love it.

We went swimming at the hotel. The kids got to have a sleepover with Grams and Gramps that included popcorn and a movie in the hotel theater. They were in heaven.

Ash gave all five of us a haircut. Benny liked his first real haircut. He just sat and played with some blocks and was so great while Ashley was cutting. I feel like a new woman with my new haircut and color! Thanks Ash!

Thanksgiving day was wonderful! I was so happy to have everyone at my house to celebrate. I had fun hosting at our new home. I always miss my grandma on Thanksgiving because it was 'her holiday', but I think she was there with us.

I made place cards for all of the adults with a picture of them when they were little. Then I helped the girls write why they were thankful for that person on the back of the card. It turned out pretty cute!

We set up a photo shoot in the front room since it was soooo cold outside. We couldn't pass up the picture moment when we were all together. My mom and dad are such good grandparents. My kids just love them to death. We'll have to get a new picture when Colin and Ashley's little girl arrives, this one is already outdated!

Here's the five grandkids. They were being so silly. Chloe was not in the mood to cooperate for this one.

Here's the whole family. It's amazing how it's grown over the past few years. I love it.

I am so grateful for my family. I love them so much! They are awesome. Thanks Mom and Dad for all you do for us. You truly are the best parents a girl could ask for. To all my siblings (including Ashley :): thanks for making me laugh and for being so much fun to hang out with! I miss you all when we aren't together.

It's a good thing we will all be together again in just a few weeks. I hope you are ready to party it up in Disneyworld!!

Graduation

Graduation weekend was great! We were lucky enough to have lots of family join us for Bryan's graduation. We had a lot of fun with everyone.
The Forbes side... The Mason side...

Yeah! He did it!! What a proud moment.

The whole clan...

The kids did great during the ceremony. It was super hot in the chapel that graduation was held in, but the kids hung in there. I was so glad that they behaved- they usually do, though!

Bryan's three brothers came to support him. (Weston, Bryan, Jon, and Denton) I think they had a lot of fun together.

Here's Bryan marching into the chapel.

I am so happy for Bryan and proud of him for reaching his goal of becoming a doctor. Many, many thanks to all of our family members who supported us (financially, mentally, and many other ways!) during the last four years. We couldn't have done it without all of you!