Family Campout

We'd always wanted to go camping as a family and so we did.  We went with cousins and it was super fun!

We had most of the necessities except a large enough tent.  Well that's changed now. There's plenty of room for our family even as the kids do grow up.

Aunt Gloria taught the kids how to make their own spoons from a stick.  She went to a Survivor-type camp years ago and learned how to literally live off the land.

Spencer and Jasper bonding,

close talking, so sweet,

and getting kisses. Check out Jaspers long tongue!

Still sweet talking and loving.

The group that put together our tent while I watched. I'm so terrible for not helping- but I did organize & pack the food, and get four kids clothes packed, along with tolitries for everyone.

The girls went and picked flowers

while some of the other kids played down by the lake.

One of our cousins made a fishing rod out of a stick and some fishing line. I don't think they caught anything.

The sunset was pretty

The boys went exploring

This was our group of cousins that went camping.11 kids and three dogs.

We only stayed one night the other two families stayed both nights and were joined by 5 more cousins.  I heard it was a lot of fun!

Date at the Shooting Range

 I am proud of these pictures I got of Spencer shooting his gun. Love that I got it two different times!

 Yes, we own guns. Yes, we keep them in a safe. There are two different safety's on this particular gun.  Anyways, one of our date nights was to a local shooting range.  It's good practice for us both.  It's not the most romantic date but it was fun! I don't particularly like guns but I think it's important to know HOW to use a gun since we own it.

 Spencer brought the shotgun too.  This was really LOUD!  Grateful for ear protection!!

I even got another picture of him shooting the shotgun.

Pinewood Derby

 Checking out the final result of Jake's derby car.  He wanted to put in a Lego Ninjago but he kept loosing them. So Kruncher the skeleton was left.  They gave it a test run.  I think it ran a bit crooked.

 Checking in Jake's car while Spencer catchs up with a good friend & pack leader Brian

 Thumbs up ready to race this car.

and waiting...

 He raced several times and won a bunch of races.

Each boy got an award and Jake's was Most Creative.  Way to go Jake for your 1st derby car!

Meet Jasper

We decided to take the plunge and get a puppy.  Spencer was trying to decide between two Weimaraner puppies.  One was all grey the other had a white spot on his chest.

Josh is sitting by our final decision.  We named him Jasper.

We made a quick stop at the vet on our way home and there's a white persian cat there that reminds me so much of my Moss.

Our vet brought in a prarie dog to play with Josh and Jasper.  Jasper wasn't so sure what it was...

The kids came home from school to a new member of our family.

Avery really was happy to have a puppy.  She just doesn't like her picture taken.

Jake had his turn with loving our new puppy. Poor Jasper he was so skinny! Skin & bones.

He loves to lay on the dirty clothes.

After a week or two he's slowly putting on more weight.

Another week later and more weight being put on...

I LOVE this picture.  He was sniffing my camera phone.  So cute.

I love this picture of Josh and Jasper running together.  Josh thought it was so funny that he'd run with him.

Easter

 We started our Easter weekend with Easter baskets in the morning. Spencer was working.

 We had cousins over for lunch and an egg hunt.

 We let the three little men go first before the rest of the bigger kids.

 They hunted.....

 and hunted...

 and enjoyed every piece of candy!

After all the candy the grand kids piled into Grandpa's truck and slowly they were off to the school park.