Vacation Season has begun

It's that time again for us as we head into what we call the vacation season portion of our summer.

First up were headed to Rapid City, S.D. to visit some of our best friends and their new little one for a week. Since this will be Ben's first time to Rapid City and really the mid-west in the summer we have fun in store for him. Were planning on taking him to the Mt. Rushmore, the Corn Palace, Wall Drug Store and much more. Look forward to pictures and more about this adventure once we get back.

Then a mere 3 weeks later were off again. This time were headed to Portugal and Spain for 12 days. We'll start our trip in Lisbon, then off to Madrid, then Seville and finish in Barcelona. While were there we also get to see a Real Madrid Football (soccer) game while in Madrid which I'm sure will turn out to be one of the trip highlights for Ben. Pictures and details to come in mid-October when we return.

Camping

This weekend we joined some our neighbors (Heather and Dan and their 3 boys; Jessie and Aaron and their son Parker and Scott and Erin and their son Nolan) and went camping at Dash Point State Park. This was also a new adventure for us since the last time we went camping it was just the two of us and this time we had Odin with us which meant we needed a bigger tent so that Odin could join us in the tent.

The weekend was spent with the usual camping fun- sitting around the camp fire, making smores, going to the beach and best of all getting to spend the weekend enjoying the sunshine. Since this trip was a success we will have to plan another camping trip soon so that we can enjoy the last of the summer in the Northwest.

It's a girl!

On Saturday I had the pleasure of spending time with one of my good friends to celebrate that she is expecting her first -a little girl in November. Everyone got into the spirit and enjoyed and razzed McKenzie about the joys of motherhood.

Here are a few pictures from the day.

The bassinet cake and some of the decorations all in pink of course

Mckenzie holding baby Payton
McKenzie with her mom, aunt, mother-in-law and sis-in-law