text: Barb's Blog : Summer . . .
  I can't believe how quickly this summer has flown by - it has been over a month since my last post! We have been keeping very busy with all the fun things that summer brings, and all the not so fun things...
  We just got back from our annual family camping trip - tons of fun! Here are a few highlights.
  Of course, we were in our usual camping spot, doing our usual fun stuff . . . everyone like to shoot, yes, we are a gun loving family! These are my two oldest grands and they are really good shots!
  If you want to have a campfire, you need firewood, so grandpa and Christian made quick work of a few dead trees.
  We had really fun times around the campfire, lots of s'mores, lots of laughter and music!
  I love to hear Christian play his guitar, and around the campfire - oh my goodness!
  Ave had fun in the hammock . . . this is one of her favorite things to do while camping! You will always see this hammock in my camping pics!
  She also loves the swing, she really loved it when Caleb pushed her as high as he could!
  Taylor Jo, spending precious time with, Bandit, her puppa, he loved the swing too!
  Sleeping babies are always a good thing....shhhhhhh. I wish I had eyelashes like my Tanner baby!
  We also had lots of awake time - love those "baby blues"!
  Brody was very careful, and always used safety-glasses . . . especially over his own glasses! Isn't he adorable?!
  He also made a pretty good human shield from the air-soft guns . . . shame on you Christian!
  All kidding aside, gun safety is really important to our family. Here's James giving the boys a few tips on gun safety, and these two were all ears.
  The kids had fun building, "shanties", little huts made of dead branches. Don't you think they did a great job?! I would love to add a few little fairy houses, and maybe some gnome homes to the mix.
  This little gnome will do, perfect fit for Nathan!
  Emily loved playing, Farkle, with her dad! I love seeing these grands having fun with their parents . . . making memories . . .
  Clara and Nathan, playing a game on the ipad - these two are 3 years old! What will they be able to do when they are 33 years old? Only time will tell, but I'm sure it will be something incredible!
  Clara got away with grandpa's hat . . . and his heart!
  Diana took the kids on a hike, and it was so hot! Emily was trying to cool herself with the spray-fan . . . when . . .
  she got the surprise of her life!! I don't think she knew it would really spray her with water! What a funny face! Oh, how I love this girl!
  Christian is growing up so fast. It won't be long and he will be all grown up, hopefully still camping with grandma and grandpa! I can't wait to tell his children stories about him!
  Taylor is growing up too - I just can't believe how quickly time flies! She is a precious angel!
  I love these mountains, and the time that we are so blessed with to spend in them.
  I hope that the time we spend here, will teach us to love nature
  and try as hard as we can to help preserve it's beauty!
  After six, long and wonderful days, it was time to go home. The skies started turning grey, and I knew that rain was on the way. Leaving is always hard, but next year will come very quickly . . . I hope I am ready!
  I've really missed everyone, hope to be catching up really soon!
  Labels: camping, grandkids, guitar
  Marge July 26, 2014 at 3:01 PM
  Hi Barb. You have a beautiful family. Looks like tons of fun! Glad you are enjoying your summer. Hugz!
  Vee July 26, 2014 at 4:21 PM
  Oh I could listen to your grandson play that guitar for hours...so pleasant! He does a great job. It's really quite shocking to see your grands grow up this fast (when you don't post so often =) Beautiful location for a yearly family camping trip, too. Enjoy the rest of your summer, Barb. Hope to see you soon!
  Marsha July 26, 2014 at 6:06 PM
  Barb.....family time is just the best and camping together brings a closeness compared to none other. Love camping with family! Loved the guitar around the fire - mmmmmm.
  Kimmie July 26, 2014 at 7:54 PM
  Just beautiful *sigh*
  Vickie July 26, 2014 at 10:11 PM
  Hi Barb! What a wonderful family time you had! Love all the pics of the kids - you can really tell they are making some great memories and sealing that family time into their minds and hearts. SO important! I remember that each year ya'll make that trip with the whole bunch. Yes summer has flown by and these coming months for me are promising to be even more busy! My first grand baby is on the way!
  Sandra July 27, 2014 at 5:20 PM
  You have a wonderful family, and it looks like you all had a great time. Love the fact that you get together every year for your camping trip, what a lovely way to stay connected :)
  Summer is really flying by isn't it?
  Thank you for your comment on my blog, and I do hope you are also able to get the love for blogging back. I miss the old blogging days :)
  Just Ramblin' July 27, 2014 at 5:25 PM
  Such wonderful memories you are making with your family and in such a beautiful place. I think it is great that you do this each year. Love the little "shanties" the kids made. Nola
  Shug July 27, 2014 at 8:25 PM
  Oh Barb..... you have such a beautiful family.... Fun, fun, Fun.....these pictures show what a wonderful time you all had. My spot would definitely be in that hammock!! Geez, that thing looks so comfortable.
  You all have such a beautiful place to camp and I'm sure that there is so much to do in that area..
  such a special time with great memories that last forever!!
  LeAnn July 27, 2014 at 10:07 PM
  Oh dear friend, thanks for sharing all these wonderful pictures of your camping reunion. I know that your children and grandchildren will have many precious memories of these moments. It looks like they all had such a good time. I loved hearing dear Christian play the guitar at our family reunion. He really is good. I can just picture him playing around that camp fire. I loved sweet Ave in the Hammock. All of the children are growing up fast. That sweet baby with the long eyelashes. He reminds me of Christian and his long eyelashes too. I am always happy to read your posts. Blessings, love and hugs to you!
  Kerin July 28, 2014 at 10:20 AM
  You've been so busy this summer, doing just what summers are meant for!!
  How fun to spend time with your family, and your sweet Grands, camping away .
  Loved the little video of the campfire and guitar. Good job Christian!!!
  Hope you are having a nice day, and that this will be a great week for you.
  Valerie July 28, 2014 at 10:44 AM
  Looks like a nice week with your precious family. Loved all of your beautiful pictures, what a lovely place to camp.
  Sweet Barb! Such gorgeous pictures! Is this still Idaho? I've moved from by lantern light to little portion cottage. :-) Love you!
  What a wonderful, fun summer family activity. Great memories for all. Thanks for sharing!
  Valerie Stewart July 29, 2014 at 1:02 PM
  Holy Cow! When did Christian get so good at the guitar? What an amazing talent! Looks like so much fun! We have loved camping this year. Maybe we will have to plan a big camping trip some time! Love you!