Family Camp (2nd Generation)

A lot of you know that my family had a tradition of going to camp together every summer with our church. It was always such a highlight for me since we tried to go with the same group of friends every year. So...this year we took Eilee to the Forest Home Family Camp for a week of togetherness, worship, teaching, swimming in the lake, hiking, pancake breakfast on the mountaintop, polar bearing, swinging, nighttime babysitting, gourmet (truly) food that I didn't have to cook, parenting classes, time by the creek, meeting families from around the country and OC, and naps! It was really a great vacation for us as a family and for me as a mom. I'm really thankful that Kristoffer was willing to give it a try. He loved being with us and having so many opportunities for activity. Eilee just loved being outside so much of the day and seeing so many "girls" and "baaaybees."

Love that grin!

Eilee has been getting a kick out of running back and forth downstairs. Occasionally she'll throw in a few spins. Here's our energy ball taking a break.

It's in the genes!

Ever since I could feel Eilee kick around while I was pregnant, I could tell that she loved music. So now she has taken up her third instrument--the harmonica (drums and a maraca came first, but everyone can play those). It is the most hilarious thing to see her swaying back and forth to the tune. I think she can already play it better than I can.

OC Fair

So this was officially our first time to the fair as a "family." We took Eilee on some rather precarious looking little rides that were supposed to be fine for her age, saw a few animals (goats mostly), looked around at the food, and then decided to eat somewhere else. :) It seems like most of our jaunts are pretty short these days, but I think that's changing as Eilee is heading to just one nap. That's one thing I'm learning...just as soon as you think you have a rhythm, it starts to change. I think (hope) I'm learning to be more flexible. :)

Coldplay At Last

We have been huge Coldplay fans, but have never been able to go to a show before. So, in April, I started searching for tickets to their summer tour and found that they weren't going to be in LA. I was really bummed because I had wanted to give Kristoffer tickets for Father's Day. Then, on Father's day weekend, we found out that they added LA tour dates, but we were too late to buy tickets. :(.....Fast forward to yesterday (July 15)......We decided to be spontaneous and search for tickets for yesterday's show on craigslist. Everything was either way too expensive or gone. Then, at 5:15 we got a call from a guy in Anaheim who had two tickets for a great price in an awesome section. Kristoffer picked them up, I called my mom who babysat, and we were off to LA by 7:00. It was awesome! We couldn't believe it. The show was so perfect! We loved the way they kept moving to different stages throughout the Forum. They really engaged with the audience and made it such a fun experience. It is amazing to be in a room with thousands of people (sold out audience) and hear everyone singing the same lyrics. I think the reason I love that so much is that it reminds me of what it will be like to be singing in heaven (different lyrics, but similar connection).

Our Fashion Plate

So lately Eilee has just been loving to find her "bees" (beads) and her hats and any purses and get herself all dressed up. I caught a couple of her best looks. :)

So...I guess it was bound to happen

Last Sunday after church Eilee was so excited to see some other kids playing so she kept trying to get their attention. Since most everyone in her little world right now just loves to get her hugs, she decided that she would give one to the new little girl. Just as she was reaching out her arms to hug, the little girl (who must have had a reason for being cautious about arms coming at her) decided to give Eilee a good shove straight to the ground. Eilee cried so hard that I could tell it was not just about the fall. Her feelings were really hurt. :( I think my heart hurt almost as much. It was so hard to see her little wounded heart. I just wanted to make it all better. All ended well, though, when the little girl decided to give Eilee a hug. It got me thinking that it must really hurt God when we "shove" his kids to the ground. I think I am learning more about life from this little one year old than I ever could have imagined.