fun times, happy people.

These are the faces of "happy." If I could perfectly put "happy" on each of our faces...I think this is what it would look like.

We went camping for Labor day weekend on my grandparent's land. My dad prepped a beautiful new camping area for us, and we had one of the best times, as a family that I can remember. I just felt so full and content. You know that feeling? Between the beautiful weather, the amazing view, and being with the ones I love...life just seemed perfect for those couple days. I teared up on more than one occasion, just looking around peacefully at all I had to be thankful for.

Also, Brent's become somewhat obsessed with wilderness survival recently. And though I make fun of him regularly, I may have fallen in love with him a little more this weekend, watching his determination in trying out his various new skills, and seeing his boy like excitement.

Maddie is always the treasure finder. walking through the woods alone, finding things to hoard and create with; This I love about her. She's content just to be.

Brody is mostly just concerned with why there's no refrigerator, and where his next meal will be coming from. He was into a box or bag of food every time we turned around.

I, did what I do...cooked, cleaned, and stayed awake all night making sure everyone else was warm and sleeping soundly.

It was a good weekend.

Brent showing us a variety of fire starting methods. we humor him.

The views of our campsite.

Maddie's job was to collect wood for the fire; she took it very seriously.

Brent chopping away at wood.

Grandma Debbie and Pappy Dave joined us for dinner and Family Home Evening. The kids are always so excited when they're around. It's great to have such fun parents.

We rode four-wheelers lots...

and Brent tried and tried to make a bow-fire...then picked his nose some...then tried again. he got lots of smoke but no fire. don't worry though he's not defeated, he's been at it in the basement since we got home. If you see flames coming from our house in the near future, you'll know it worked.

I made the yummiest tin-foil dinners...maybe in the whole world. I mean, they were GOOD!

The grape vines were full of Grapes. We ate till our bellies hurt.

Brent thinks it's funny to blow in my mouth sometimes. It's not.

Chilly morning

Brent made us some hot chocolate on his "super cat" stove, that he made out of my hairspray bottle. pretty impressive, no?

we also took the kids to a recreation park one evening. they loved it. I did too, until Brent flipped his canoe with all our electronics (including my camera) in his pocket. GRRRR.