June 21, 2011: The Ladies

Here are just a few pics from a recent-ish get-together with some of my favorite ladies! We headed over to Brita's place and had some yummy lunch and went for a walk. I actually was able to leave Benjamin with Jon's mom on this particular day so I was even able to carry on complete conversations with these wonderful friends.



Jacob and Huddy!




Thanks for your hospitality Brita and to all the other ladies for continuing to set aside time to hang out - what a refreshing morning. Love you guys!

June 19, 2011: Fathers Day #2!

Even though the Turner name won't continue on as it might have had Josh still been alive, I know that my dad is so thankful to have Jon for a son-in-law and especially thankful for the extra testosterone that Ben and, now Jacob, will bring to our household. If, down the road, we ever have a little girl, I know Grandpa Turner will treasure her the same way I felt treasured as a little girl. Thanks dad, for truly making me feel like I deserved someone as special as Jon and encouraging me to wait to find it. I love you and I love that God brought me an amazing man to make my husband and the father of these beautiful boys!

lk



I love this last pic because it truly captures Ben as he really is - a squirmy wormy who barely sits still for photos these days but honestly, I kind of love that! It reminds me to enjoy the photos that capture us as we really are rather than having a whole hard drive full of posed memories. Happy Fathers Day to my amazing husband and to all the GrandFathers in my life. To those who are no longer with us, I miss you, and to those who are currently showering my boys with Grandfatherly love, thank you. They are so blessed because of it!

June 18, 2011: Fathers Day with the McCarthy's

I must say that I am so thankful for the amazing father Jon is to our boys and I know that a huge part of that can be credited to his upbringing and the example his parents have set before him. Here are just a few shots of the McCarthy men!



Happy Fathers Day!

June 16, 2011: Hanging Around

Well, considering the fact that I'm posting this in late August, you can tell that things have been a little crazy around here and there hasn't been a lot of time to sort through my own family photos in the midst of the various photo shoots and summer adventures. Either way, the posts will come slowly but surely over the following month as Jon goes back to work and there are more lazy afternoons where hopefully both little munchkins give me a break like they are this afternoon. These ones aren't really pictures for any particular reason - just saw a photo moment and decided to snap some pics. It does astound me how much Ben looks like Josh in these pics, though :)



My little man -




Jon hopping in Ben's pirate ship - this kid has a vivid imagination and apparantly no regard for size limitations!

June 24-26, 2011: 2nd Annual Home Group Camping Weekend

Home group, life group, small group - lots of different ways of saying the same thing: a large group of awesome couples who we get the privilege of sharing life with. We have been so blessed with our group of friends from Jericho Ridge and the 5+ other couples we have had a chance to really get to know well over our years at this church.

Last year we did a June wrap-up camping trip at Cultus and I think it's going to become somewhat of a tradition as the kids and adults all had a great time last year and again this year. We missed the Werdals this year but hope that everyone will be able to make it next year!

It wasn't the nicest weather but we had a great site with a huge green space behind us and even got to spend some time at the lake on Sunday when the sun came out. All in all, it was an awesome weekend and there were lots of chances to document it on camera so settle in cause there are quite a few pics to follow :)



Thank goodness for rubber boots and rain coats - we could just let Ben roam around the site in the mud and not care!



Some of the lovely ladies of home group and the three newest additions to the crew - Jacob, Ethan and Cole.


Caden and Ben are great little buddies and they had an awesome time adventuring around the site together! As you can see, tent poles are also awesome toys for toddlers ;)



Going on 'adventures'



Mr.Jacob



Croquet anyone?



An infectious smile.



Friends.



Ben & Caden both have the same type of bike and they had a great time riding them around the campsite or, in Ben's case, down the road away from the campsite without permission ;) I used to think that I would never lose sight of my kid but, as with a lot of things in parenthood, I have had to eat my words. They just move so quickly and, as Ben approaches 3 he just keeps getting more and more independent and less and less scared to venture off without us which means we have to be on top of where he is at all times. Exhausting but fun to see him getting more confidence!

Bella taking Caden for a walk ;)



Enjoying our green space campsite extension out back! Kris is demonstrating some pretty fantastic frisbee skills here!

More frisbee.



Mr.Jonah. Love those curls and that smile.



This look is brought to you by gum boots, pj's and sweat pants. Only Jonah could pull this look off and make it look adorable ;)



Hanging around the campsite.



A little journey to the lake on Saturday even though it was still pretty chilly. Great rock skipping weather though!





Last year I got a pic of the Schmidts pretty much identical to the one below so perhaps that will be part of the yearly camping tradition too. I think they look pretty great for camping!



My blue eyed beauty.



Mr.Ben







Some of the little babes under 4 1/2 months. They all fared really well for their first camping trips!

Bubbles - it never ceases to amaze me how entertaining bubbles can be for kids. Ben & Caden loved playing with this little bubble blower. Thanks Ali!



A quick group pic before Schmidts had to head out. I actually did one where I photoshopped my floating head in right next to Jon and the boys but it was kind of creepy :)



Caden's first experience with smores!



I think he was a fan!



Sunday - pack-up day is always a little bit crazy busy from breakfast till the time we leave but we were able to head to the lake after breakfast/pack-up and that made it much more relaxing! Here are a few pics I took while amidst the packing up



Ben & Caden showing off their 'muscles'!







Down at the lake



Throwing rocks



The guys - top right photo could be a contender for the Jericho Bridge calendar, I think.....

Thanks Ali & Juliet for snapping a few pics so I could be in some!



Thanks so much to all our life group friends for their continued love, support and willingness to go on adventures like this regardless of what stage of life we're all in or how busy life gets. We really have loved getting to know you guys better and look forward to more adventures together this coming year!