A-camping we did go!

Camping is part of the Anderson family make-up. It's a must-do every summer, no questions asked. If you've followed any of our camping adventures you know that 'adventure' can sometimes be an A.D.V.E.N.T.U.R.E! We've been there-done that with the sick kiddos and came home early, been rained on (no wait, poured on), encountered vehicle complications, disappointed (but made do) with extremely low water levels making for rather difficult fishing, dealt with critters of all shapes and sizes, forgotten essential food items, you get the jist. This time around, let's just say that on day one it would been handy to have our umbrellas and winter coats but by day three we had sun-kissed cheeks and lobster-looking noses (and backs and shoulders and....). It definitely wasn't my favorite camping trip of all time but we still made some pretty fantastic memories, the three little gents had a grand time, and God's creative hand held out one of His finest displays in the skies. 

Dufurrena Ponds, here we come!

Working on putting up their tent...which they never got to sleep in. :/

Mason doing some exploring

Peanut chews! A camping staple :)

The hot springs!

Mason playing with his cars while we rode out the storm in our tent

the blackness of the sky

yep--this was the actual color of the sky.

A good picture of our camp spot and the continuous flow of storms that rolled through!

here comes the rain!!

But we were treated to quite an awesome sight...

in awe of how it stretched right over our campsite :)

so Bright and Beautiful!!!!

nighty-night...a very cold nighty-night....

I was too bone-chilling cold to step out of the tent again once the rain halted and the sky cleared, but Andy captured some amazing pictures as he trudged through some puddles and bundled up as best he could! Nice work hon!!! Of course, pictures never do justice to the real thing, but it gives you some idea of the glorious magnitude of beauty that God filled the calming sky with after the rumbles of thunder rolled on over the mountain tops. Spectacular.

Sunset

the sunset through the window panes

just awesome

making  those delectable pancakes over the fire!

Carson just kickin' back :)

Mason absolutely LOVES camping!

Down at the pond! (this is the same pond we went ice fishing on earlier this year)

Here comes my mini-man Mason!

A little fishing time

love my CJ

time for some swimming in the hot springs!! A definite highlight!

Carson was swimming back and forth and just loving it!!

Go Austin!

And Mason soon followed....

family photo of course!

Campfire time!

S'more good....

gooey goodness :)

love hanging out with my 3 gents

 One particular morning while watching my boys use their hands along with their little nets to scoop up as many minnows as possible from the hot springs, I will say that my selfish attitude was getting the best of me and in my mind I declared that it would be a while before we ever camped there again--but...thankfully that pitiful 'tude changed when their smiles turned to laughter, their whispers to squeals, and then their joy to sheer elation when told we would swim in the hot-springs yet again. ;) Perspective. With a touch of selflessness. Still learning that one. 






















Even with the "less than perfect moments" this camping adventure contained, it was still time away from the 'norm', time together as a family of five, a new area explored, and memories made & captured in the vastness of God's creation.

Austin helping Andy make the eggs! He did awesome! :)

one final breakfast!

those handsome sun-kissed cheeks and lobster-looking noses :)

Summa-time....Summa-time....

School is out. The heat is up. The busyness continues but the relaxing has begun. Our summer has a different start to it than in years past with Andy having worked in his classroom (for hours) beyond that last day required, and the Anderson family van still waiting to be packed for that eastward trek to MN. We'll get there. Just a little later this summer. 

had to say goodbye to my dear friend Jenna :(

more sprinkler time!

I have loved having the boys home, letting them sleep in until their body says it's time to get up, rather than the clock.  There has been great joy in being able to slowly sip my creamy cup of coffee from start to finish rather than play the re-heating game all morning long.  Oh sure, there has been the occasional "I'm bored"comment, but we have dusted off the games, utilized the coolness of the pool, slurped the drippy popsicles, dug deep into our imaginations in order to create new lego city monstrosities, and that's just the beginning! We've had plenty of highlights thus far with many many more to come!!

mmmmm....nothing says summer like popsicles!

 WCF Ladies retreat to Lake Tahoe!
We enjoyed a wonderful weekend thanks once again to the Granaths and their generous hospitality as we basked in the beauty of Lake Tahoe at the Lake House! A 3-day weekend filled with laughing, learning, eating, worshiping, exploring, relaxing, teaching, praying, more eating :), reading, deepening our faith, and renewing friendships.

look at those 2 beauties!

Tami came oh-so-prepared this year ;) (wink wink)

having a little breakfast right before we dive into the book of Ruth!

love this gal! KJ and Elisha

relaxing on the beach front

Kj and Sugie--love to laugh with this pretty lady:)

yep...climbed that rock and managed to say semi-dry!

Jewel and Sugie

Brenda and Andrea

heading over to Zehpyr Cove!

sailboat time!!

let the relaxing begin! :)

This scenery never gets old!!

genuine giggles!

cave rock

Such a fun group of gals!!!

Anderson boys' fishing day! 

 While I was away in Tahoe, my boys had a pretty fun day fishing together!!

L.O.V.E. my guys!! :)

Just look at these 3 little handsome gents! :)

Shed and Lean-to project

The "before" (shamefully hideous)

Austin and Carson working hard

making progress--almost time to paint!

the boys' favorite part--painting!

Almost done...

lean-to time!

getting some tools from dad :)

my hard-working men!

ice cream break!

takin' a break

they loved helping whenever they could!

almost complete--Andy did an amazing job!!! :)

Father's Day!
This Father's Day was a little different for me not being "at home" with my own dad--I kinda missed it! But I'm thankful we were able to celebrate with Andy's dad and our family here. A relaxing day as we laughed at Austin's jokes (or lack thereof....), shared stories, bbcued some good old-fashioned hamburgers, and took advantage of a beautiful high-desert afternoon/evening at the Hinton's!

laughter is never lacking in this house :)

He's my favorite. :)

Hugs for Pap!

our actor Austin :)

Love my PJ!! :)

I feel like Daniel should be singing opera here....

it's the dads turn!! :)

game time with pappy!

awwww.... :)

nanny and PJ

my hottie-hubby with our handsome gents :)

After a crazy, semi non-stop start to our summer, the camping gear is out and loaded, goods made, food bins packed, 4 excited boys, and even if it IS over our wedding anniversary ;) ...this gal is also excited to head out into the mountains for a few days with my favorite men. Be back with the photo spread, stories, and a whole lot more I'm sure!! :)