Fun on the Fourth!

Over the fourth weekend we went on a camping trip with some dear friends. We had lots of fun fishing, swimming, and relaxing! This was our cabin, though small on the outside, inside it was amazingly spacious!

Relaxing with the boys!

Fourth of July girls!

Fishing fun!

All the kids!

Fire truck rides.

Hanging out with Mr P!

Baseball in the street.

Baseball would not be complete with out the cheerleaders!

Sm ores!

The finale of events was a great fireworks ceremony that started off with a trumpeter playing the Star Spangled Banner. We are so very thankful for our country and for the many men and women who protect our freedoms.

Summer Bummer

This summer has been one of the strangest in our family's history thus far. We have had a lingering virus that has sapped almost all of my usual enthusiasm and sunny side up attitude. Each week, for the past three weeks, one of our children has developed a really high fever, head ache, and cough. So each week we've pretty much stayed home sequestered to rally the current sick one with icy drinks, books, cartoons, and Wii games.

We were granted enough reprieve to go camping over the weekend but this bummer of a summer continues today as we care for my oldest who is now sick. As I moaned and complained last night my husband reminded me of all we have to be thankful for. A sweet friend today said, "Just think after all this is over it will feel like the first day of summer vacation for you again! "

So today I am thankful for my many blessings and looking forward to the first day of our summer vacation!

An Award From Edie!

A dear blogging friend Edie from Rich Gifts has given my blog an award for our creative and fun family adventures! When Mr P asked me to marry him he said we'd have lots of adventures and with each day the adventure continues!

The award now must be passed on to seven notable, award winning blogs along with my confession of seven things my readers do not know about me! Lots of my readers are family and close friends so if you already knew it just bear with my list!

Here is my list of seven facts you (may) or may not know about me!

1. I always sleep in socks....feet get cold even in the summer!

2. I can bait my own hook- take it out of the fish's mouth and it doesn't gross me out at all! We always throw them back. I caught my second fish when I was 36! (yes I'm a newbie fisherman)

3. I love the sound of the wind in the trees-I think because my childhood home was in the woods so I love that our home backs up to big trees!

4. When I get a gift for Mr P. I get so excited I can never wait until the day he's supposed to open it- I end up giving away what it is through hints! Thankfully he thinks that's fun too!

5. I enjoy singing songs with young children especially when they are really singing and all lit up inside! Pure joy!

6. Growing up we had a cow that I named Carrie and my brother named Muley. She would come to us when called. Carrie of course! I had bribed her with oats.

7. I dressed up as a nurse for halloween when I was five. My mom always either made our costumes or we put something together from what we had around the house. It was a white dress I'd worn the previous summer. Who knew then I'd be a nurse. I love it and hope to work into my seventies! It's great to help others feel better!

Alright now I am going to award seven other bloggers!

1. You must drop in to see Mimi's recipes. I made her banana bread twice and Mr P said it was the best I'd ever made! She has great crock pot meals too! Wonderful! Her blog is creative meal making at it's best!

2. Creative blogging describes my friend Kacey's blog perfectly. She makes beautiful cards, picture frames, scrap book pages and has wonderful stories to tell about her faith and her beautiful family! It' All In A Day's Work.

3. Next I nominate a sweet blogging friend Lea. She's probably won this lots of times, her blog just feels like home with lots of creative decorating tips, funny stories, inspirational faith


encouragements, and pictures of yummy things she's made! Stop by and visit the Shabby Old Potting Shed.

4. and 5. I nominate two amazing mom's who are treasuring each and every moment of motherhood to the fullest with their young ones. Each day of a mother with preschoolers live is creative-it's a survival tool! I nominate The Davidsons and The Chronicles of the Family of Five for their creative parenting!

6. This blog really keeps things real. She writes from the heart and shares exactly what's going on in her heart and the Lord is doing many creative things in her life! And she shares her growth with us! Stop by and visit Three Girly Girls!

7. My seventh and last nomination goes to Living My Life On Purpose. Through her blog she encourages, challenges and guides us to a deeper, stronger, closer relationship with Christ. She is also a creative Prayer warrior. She's prayed for me and if you need her too she will pray for you as well!