Late Summer Nights

Well... most of our summer nights have been quite crazy.  Four littles wears a mama (and Dad :)) out.  But this night we managed to find a little time to enjoy a cooler summer night.  These nights are some of my favorites.

Family Camp 2015

So our family decided to pack up and head to family camp this year. We went with some wonderful families from church. Totally worth the exhaustion we felt when we finally headed home. Three days full of tree climbing, lake swimming (with rope swings and water slides), horse riding, crafting, tastey meals (without dishes), staff assistants who followed us around and helped us with kiddos (What!?), and fun time with other wonderful families. We stayed up way too late and woke up way too early, came home dirty and tired. We hope to see you again, Village Creek!

Madison rope climbing... the hike up to this tree was just as impressive as the actual climb.  This little lady scooted right up.

Eliott much preferred rock climbing.

Taking an attempt at the tree.

T and Dad up on top...

We love our sweet, easy-going little "Beans".

Pony Rides for Eliott.

Taylor had been saying "Ride the pony!" for three days.  They must have looked a little bigger up close.

Defeated.

We settled for some "Pony Pets"

Matt, Pastor Paul, and the three bigs went creek-stompin and crawdad hunting.  I actually think they were originally trout fishing but this was taken over...  A highlight for all of them.

Taking a hayrack ride up to the 'mountains' for breakfast.

Eating in the mountains.  Sadie (in this picture) and Hannah were our wonderful staff assistants... which pretty much means they rock.  There sole job of the whole trip was to help our family.  I'm not sure it would have been much fun without them!

Tether ball... it's impossible to play without a continuous giggle at all your swings and whiffs.  

Tay played "Chase the ball in a circle".

Madi was part of the 'Little Dudes" camp. They taught the kids how to ride and lead the horses. This is the only chance I had to grab my camera. Supposedly she was riding a horse around the circle dropping water bottles in buckets. She now knows more than I do about horses.

Happy Father Day

You are one good man Matt Hoffert...

Madison:

We celebrate father's day because ... because he protects us.

In his free time, Dad likes to... go fishing.

Some things Daddy does at work are ... make money, helps people, works hard.

My Daddy is really good at ... reading and fishing.

My favorite thing to do with Dad is ... read books.

My Dad always says ... I love you.

My Dad doesn't like ... egg plant and hot tuna.

My Dad's favorite meal is ... deer steak.

I love my Dad because ... he protects me.

My Dad loves me because ... he just does.

Eliott:

We celebrate father's day because ... it's Daddy's Day.

In his free time, Dad likes to... play with us.

Something I like to do with Daddy is ... sleep with him (in a tent) and fishing with him.  

Some things Daddy does at work are ... make money for our house, and that's the only thing that I could think of.  

My Daddy is really good at ... setting up tents.  

My favorite thing to do with Dad is ... play with him.

My Dad always says ... I love you.

My Dad doesn't like ... cold tuna.

My Dad's favorite meal is ... jalapenos.

I love my Dad because ... he plays with me.  

My Dad loves me because ... he just does.

Summer Days

There are just some moments that you freeze and say, "Now that is summer!".  Today was an 'unplanned' day like that.  The kids went out in their rain boots and swim suits and were eventually covered in mud.  It's a good day for a kid when you have to get hosed down to come inside :).