{sleeping bear dunes}

*Disclaimer:  This is a really long post, with A LOT of pictures.  I seem to not be able to control myself when I get a camera in my hand, lol.  Plus, now that I'm publishing this blog as our journal, scrapbook, and family history, I want to include as many pictures as possible. Let's just say that if you're my mom, you will love this.

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One of our favorite summer traditions is our annual camping trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes, in northern Michigan.  It's this amazing combination of the beach (Lake Michigan), incredible sand dunes, a large open campsite, a big group of friends, and lots of yummy food.  My kids absolutely LOVE to go, and this was our seventh year going.  We've missed the last couple of years, due to the babies being born, and Scout camp (scheduled the same week), so it was especially fun to be back this year.

I have to say, I was a little worried about how the boys would do.  The ages of 1-2 years old are the hardest  for camping, even though they it's so fun for them to be outside.  But, they came through with flying colors.  They stayed away from the fire and the poison ivy, and slept like rocks. What more can you ask for?

The forecast called for rain, and quite a bit of it, so we packed our ponchos and plenty of games.  It rained all the way there, and I have to tell you, I was worried.  Fortunately, when we arrived, the rain had stopped and it was clear for the rest of the afternoon and into the evening.  The next morning it rained for just about 20 minutes, and then it was done for the rest of the day.  It actually turned out to be just the perfect weather for camping--cool, not too hot, and a lot less bugs.  Usually we spend quite a lot of time at the beach, and it was too cold for much of that, but it was perfect up on the dunes and around camp.  The nights were also perfect--around 50 degrees, and no one was cold.

Here are a few of the highlights:

The Set-up

The littles all needed new sleeping bags, and I just couldn't resist these. They fit exactly in the pack and plays for the babies, and the girls shared a twin mattress. 

I always bring a mason jar when we camp to fill with flowers for the picnic table.  Kate was my partner in crime, and filled it to the brim with leaves she found.  Emma found a very tiny flower she loved, and later Ryan picked me some up on the dunes.  

 

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The Hair

Rick dubbed the girls' hair the "bear" do.  I was happy because it stayed in the whole time and we avoided any hair drama and the dreaded spray bottle.

 

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Rainy Day Games

When it rained, we headed into the dining fly to play games.  Emma's favorite was Go Fish, and I must say, she was pretty darn good at it.  Kate got antsy (surprise, surprise), and so she suited up in a poncho and headed outside.

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The Food!

We ate a lot of yummy food, and no one was happier than Henry B.  We finally had to pile stuff on top of the cooler so he didn't open it and take food out.  One of his favorites?  Pringles.  I think he ate a can all by himself! My favorite? Dutch oven chicken & potatoes and peach cobbler...SO SO good. I always pack so many snacks, and usually we bring a lot home.  This time?  Most of it eaten.

Investigating...

Attempting a break-in

He knows exactly what he wants!

 Locked out.

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Around Camp

Helping dad get dinner ready

 Just chillin'

 

 Jack is OBSESSED with shoes...even while camping

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Friends

There were about ten other families there, and lots of teenagers. Kate and Emma loved being around the "big girls", and they loved them right back.

 On Friday night, it's tradition to have a big potluck dinner followed by a program with skits, songs, and a lot of laughs.  I don't think the girls actually understood what it was when I explained it to them (they were 2 the last time we were there), and about halfway through Emma leaned up and whispered in my ear "This isn't so bad after all."  Lol.  Rick stayed back to put the boys to bed, so I went with the three older ones.  About three quarters through the program, I look up, and there is Henry--no pants, just a diaper and pajama top.  He's standing all alone, no Rick in sight.  I waited just a minute, to see if Rick would follow him out, but he never did.  I ran over, picked him up, then went into the tent.  There was Rick, fast asleep, clothes everywhere (pulled from the suitcases), and Henry's pajamas in the middle of the floor.  That Rick.  I know he was tired, I'm just glad it wasn't the middle of the night!

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Sand Dunes

The trail up to the sand dunes was just next to our camp, and about a 5 minute walk to the base of the hill you climb to get to them.  You leave your shoes at the bottom, then make your way up the 65-70 degree incline of sand and tree roots.  I assigned Rick to carry Henry.  :)  Since the sand was damp, it was easier to grip, and the boys ended up being able to walk up while we held their hands.  Once you reach the top, it's the most incredible view of sand, green trees, and Lake Michigan in the distance. There are big sand cliffs, and the kids run and jump off the edge, landing on the sand below.  Ryan and Kate jumped at least 50 times, while Emma and the boys were happy playing in the sand.  Kate had me take picture after picture of her, so I could capture her mid-air.  Each time she jumped, she would come over and check out the camera to see if she was satisfied with the picture. Thirty pictures later, she was finally satisfied.  :)

 

 

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Pictures with Mom

I'm always the one behind the camera, never in the pictures, so I make a concerted effort to take pictures with my kids and Rick so there is proof that I was there! 

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Other adventures included a trip into town for ice cream, walks along the beach, and a stop on the way home for burgers, fries, and ice cream at our favorite small-town shop. I was even able to go running while we were there, and it was just so beautiful.  The whole trip was just a treat--the kids did so well, and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the time we had not only with good friends, but with just our little family.  

I love that they will grow up looking forward to this trip every summer--I know I will!

{grateful}

There have been a few specific moments in my life as a mother that have really shaped me, and contributed to how I appreciate and see life.  Some of them have been monumental, such as the births of my children, and others have been small but significant experiences, but each has touched me in such a way that they are imprinted on my very soul.

This weekend I had another of those moments. 

I left Saturday morning to do some shopping, errands, and the usual running around for the day.  I had a list a mile long, with a lot going on the coming week. Ryan wasn't feeling well, but his sugar was perfect--79. He wasn't throwing up, running a fever, or showing any other signs of illness, so I sent him to bed to rest before I left.

I walked in the door at 4:45pm, and as soon as I saw him I knew he was very, very ill.  I immediately called the doctor, and after a brief assessment and conversation with Rick about what had gone on during the day, we were on our way to the hospital.  He was so sick that Rick had to carry him to the car, and in that moment I got really scared.  I hid it from Ryan, but inwardly I was praying as hard as I could.

We arrived at the Emergency Room and were immediately rushed back to a trauma room.  Ryan was hooked up to an IV, blood work was done, and information was gathered.  When his doctor (and really close family friend) arrived, I started to realize just how serious things were.  He had lost 9 pounds of fluid in just 5 hours--more than 10% of his body weight.  He was cold--his body was rushing all the blood to his organs in an act of survival.  His breaths were short and quick, and his body was having a difficult time.  The diagnosis came back just as we thought it would...DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis).

After two days and nights in the hospital, we are home.  After Ryan was stable, his doctor told me just how serious it was.  He had been within 2-3 hours of being critical--and possible resuscitation.

(the picture the nurses took for his chart for security purposes)

Today, I am feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. 

Gratitude for:

• a truly amazing and wonderful doctor who sacrificed his own family time (on his weekend off AND Father's Day) to help Ryan. He also was able to give him a blessing right before the MRI he had to have to determine if there was any cerebral edema (fluid and swelling on the brain)--we were both scared, and it made a huge difference
• the doctor's wife, my dear friend, who sacrificed her husband once again AND who took my youngest four in addition to her seven for the afternoon, so Rick and I could both be with Ryan
• kind nurses who went out of their way to make both of us comfortable
• an awesome husband who held down the fort while I was gone--and who mopped, swept, vacuumed, made beds, did laundry, and more so we could come home to a clean house
• a neighbor and friend that watched the kids while Rick brought me things that I needed to stay overnight in the hospital--despite the late hour
• a good friend and visiting teacher who brought dinner and watched my little ones while Rick had to work for a few hours
• friends and family that called, left messages, sent e-mails, and checked up on us.  I wasn't able to get back to everyone, but just know HOW MUCH I appreciated them and you...you are all wonderful!
• an extremely brave son who endured a lot not only the last couple of days, but the past 7 years since his diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes
• a loving Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers

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Rick had his own adventures here at home...

• an entire gallon of milk spilled on the island, down into the cupboards, and onto the floor---then two little boys dancing in it
• another morning diaper incident...despite double the amount of duct tape
• deciding that brushing Kate's hair for church wasn't good enough, and using the curling iron to try and improve things. the result?  Smoke.  Coming from her hair.  I'm glad he stopped at that point, lol.

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I am grateful.

{operation: last day of school surprise!}

Yesterday was the last day of school, and it has been much anticipated in our family.  We're ready for a more relaxed summer schedule, packed full of our favorite summer activities. 

My friends and I wanted to do something really fun with our kids to celebrate the last day of school, and what could be more fun than a water balloon fight?  Especially when they don't know it's coming?  :)

We all filled balloons, packed the car with extra clothes and towels, and bought yummy ice cream treats. It had been such a hot week that we knew it would be the perfect thing. Well...the day arrived, and OF COURSE it was rainy and cold.  We proceeded as planned, and had to change our location, but we still were hoping that it would work out.

We were in luck.  The mission was on!

Two of us were ready and waiting in the field, hiding behind some trees and bushes, ready to make the first contact.  Two of us went to get the kids, and led them out to the field.  I'm not sure what they were expecting, but it certainly wasn't what happened next!

They rounded the corner, and water balloons started flying.  You should have seen the kids' faces. There was a second of shock, and then it was on.  I was laughing so hard, trying to hold my camera, throw water balloons, and try to avoid being hit, all at the same time.  We did put a cooler of water balloons out for the kids, and soon it was an all out war.  They were totally into it, and no side showed *much* mercy.

 Emma scurried off to the side and joined one of her friends--she definitely prefers water balloon fights as a spectator sport--but Miss Kate was in on the action, along with Ryan.


No mercy...even for moms!

 

 

Scared? You should be!

This is how Miss Emma felt about things...

It turned out to be one of the most fun things we've done.  The kids LOVED it, and I was cracking up at their comments.  "That was so unexpected", "That wasn't very ladylike" (LOL), and "That was SO fun!".

I think we've started a new tradition.

{another houdini}

We've had one great escape artist in our family.  Her name is Emma Caroline.  
(you can read about here HERE)

I thought for awhile that our family quota had been filled, but apparently that assumption should never have been made. 

Remember the crib tent at 15 months?  Well, Henry decided that just wasn't going to work for him.  He used his size to back into the corner of his crib, then power forward like a battering ram, right into the tent.  Sure enough, after a few attempts, the zipper was broken right out of the seam. (I'm thinking they didn't do the football lineman test during their product testing.)  We used pins, duct tape, and anything else to keep him in his crib, but none of the worked.  He could get out of anything.  

We were not to be beaten, so the locks were switched on the door so if he got out of his crib, at least he couldn't get out of his room.  We are such heavy sleepers, that he could roam to his heart's delight, and we would never know it.

I'm not sure what happened after that, but he decided to switch tactics.  No longer does he get out of his crib.  He just takes off his diaper.  With no regard for what's in it.

We countered with duct tape...

Little turkey.