Monday, January 20, 2014

Beavers Bend 2014 with the Beckmans

We spent the first weekend of 2014 at a cabin in Beaver's Bend with Eric's parent's, sister, and her family. It was a great house with tons of space for the kids to run and play, and an awesome outdoor living room that we enjoyed so much! The weekend was complete with nature walks, basketball, campfires, lots of yummy meals, games by the outdoor fireplace, family photo shoots, and just generally enjoying the time together. Unfortunately, our wonderful trip ended with a terrible fall for Ella that resulted in a broken wrist (more on that in a coming post). I hate that it had to end on a note like that, because it was such a fun weekend! But I think all the kids had a wonderful time with each other anyway, and it's definitely a trip we'll always remember! :)

Enjoying the outdoor fireplace and heaters the first night. It was COLD!!

Silly kids



Pretty girl exploring outside


Love my boy

It really was a gorgeous setting!

Heading out for a nature walk










Teeny, tiny pine cone






Someone's getting tired

Being silly with Grandpa's hat

:)


All the kids piled up in the old wagon near the front driveway. This was an interesting few moments, to say the least. :)

Silly
Gavin, Carter, Devin. Best little buddies.
Sweet girl
Love!!
Oh, that smile....
Just too cute.
Eric made it his mission to keep our wood supply up and our fires going. Carter decided to help him at some point. We never had a shortage of fire wood, that's for sure!!

More fun on another hike through the woods
These hikes are tiring for such little legs
Love her to pieces.
Cindy's one and only request for the weekend was that we get some pictures in our t-shirts she had mad for us. It was a success and I think we made Grandma happy! Here is what we got. :)
 The whole group.
Our family
Fun around the campfire

Gavin and Carter played a lot of frisbee with Grandpa the last night we were there. 
They got pretty good at it!



Devin


The kids helping Eric grill hot dogs.

Right after dinner was when Ella fell, so we had to head out to the ER with her. Carter stayed behind and the rest of the kids who got to roast marshmallows and enjoy one last evening playing. They were all fast asleep by the time we got home with Ella at almost midnight. After a rough night, we headed home the next morning. It was a little bit of a rough drive home, but Ella was a trooper and we made it. And I don't think I have ever been so glad to be home in my life, after that little incident!
 

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Christmas Pictures, Part 2

Oh my word, it has been a crazy and busy few weeks! I fully intended on posting these pictures about 3 weeks ago, but we have had so much going on - went out of town, Ella broker her wrist, school started back up, among other things(posts coming on these soon, too!) - and I am just now getting around to taking another look at all my pictures.

So here are our pictures from Christmas Day. The kids came down stairs on Christmas so darn excited, and it was truly a joy to watch them open and explore all their gifts. Santa was good to them, and they were precious to watch.
























After getting everything opened, we spent the morning in our jammies playing with all our new things. We had a lite and easy lunch at home, then all rested for a little while before heading over to my Mom and Dad's where the kids got to open TONS more gifts, and play with it all. 


 









Then we enjoyed a delicious prime rib dinner made by my Mom, and hung around until it was time to get the kids home and in bed.We had a wonderful day, and were all spoiled rotten by each other. 

Hope you and yours all had an amazing holiday!