This weekend we went camping. FINALLY! Jake and i haven't ever went camping alone. We've gone with family on camping trips but never just us. We decided that we needed to get away for a day or two, so we ventured out and attempted to camp with our little munchkins...We ended up having more fun than we thought we would and our kids were great! (we haven't ever gone because we thought it would be too difficult with them) This was Naomi and Cairo's first camping trip...Demetri had been before so he knew the drill.
We went to a local area because we didn't want to go to far away on our "tester trip" just in case the kids hated it and we had to go home, luckily everything went smoothly.

I refuse to camp in a camp ground area where i bump into fellow campers! That defeats the whole purpose of "getting away" to me...We found a spot WAY up on the mountain, we pulled off the road and hiked out camping gear in about 70 yds so we were completely secluded. :)

Demetri loved to be able to get dirty and wild, and Naomi was kickin' back and enjoying the noises and excitment of setting up camp.

It was SO beautiful up there! There were wild flowers, water and great views everywhere! It was so peaceful...exactly what we were hoping for.

Later we build this cute little fire pit, and Jake got a fire going...

With Demetri's help getting firewood of course. He was such a good helper.

Then we ate dinner and Jake taugh Demetri how to make smores!

The two of them did a good job.

Naomi and I watched the boys while they were bonding.

The result...Jake's PERFECT smores! Mmmm

I had to get in on the action. I'm not a huge fan of smores but i had to make one.

After the smores it was bed time!

Demetri was really excited to sleep in the tent. He got in and after a few minutes started goofing off...the goof ball thought it was hilarious to push his face against the tent screen. ( i couldn't help laughing myself)
Jake put the fire out and got things all safe and sound...

The kids woke up silly, smiling and in good moods!

Too bad our children could run circle around us. We were so tired and wanted to sleep in! Once we saw those smiles, we knew it wasn't gonna happen...

Demetri got all packed up to go hiking, his little legs were doing well on the strange terrain

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. Over all, we had a Blast! and we wish we could have stayed longer, but AC and a nice shower is always a good thing too.

This Sunday we blessed our little girl. I am so thankful for the gospel in my life, for my family and loved ones... It was a beautiful day & everything ran very smoothly. Noami looked so pretty and precious in her dress. (red, sun burnt face and all) My grandmother crocheted it and i have been saving it for 5 years to have a girl to wear it.We had a lovely little gathering at our home afterwards. The weather was perfect and the spirit was felt. Thanks to all who came and celebrated her special day with us. Jake did such a great job. I'm so proud of him in so many ways lately and he is such a proud daddy. (lol also red from our weekend) My Brother Bryan surprised us the morning of the blessing! He had told us that he wouldn't be able to make it down(he lives out of state) But came knocking at our door and spent the morning with us. It was such a great surprise & I love him so much! I'm glad he could make it.
Demetri was really good about sharing the attention for the blessing, he was sweet to his sister and happy to have company at our house.
The kids seemed to have a great time in our child friendly yard :) We worked hard to get things together for the party and it payed off. The kids enjoyed the swings and such and especially the trampoline flush with the ground, I'm glad we got that done in time.

Friday we drove down to Provo for a soccer tournament that Jake had the opportunity to be in. The rules for this competition were a little different from the normal soccer rules. It was a 3vs3 competition. they were allowed to have up to six on their team but could only have 3 on the field at a time...There was no goalie and the Fields were smaller, making for a fast paced, intense, and from what i saw exhausting game. Once they played one team they would continue to play each team. Jake and the three other guys on the team(two were guys from his recreational team, and one, his older brother) were undefeated the first day, putting them in the finals the next day! :)

In between their games, they studied the other teams they would be facing.^

Naomi had fun hanging out in the sun and in all the excitement. Sadly... Jake, Naomi and I all got burnt and are as red as lobsters. Demetri was in the sun all day but was only a bit pink...go figure?

Jake's brother's in laws brought some food they shared and a big shade! (i was so thankful because we would have died in that heat!) Demetri loved the corn as you can see.

Friday was such a beautiful day! I couldn't resist taking alot of pictures of these great clouds that were floating around all day long...

Saturday we went clear back down to Provo for the finals...Everyone was dressed for the forth of July! Friday we had had some troubles keeping Demetri and his two darling cousin from wandering off...They weren't amused by the games for very long and wanted to go off and play. So on Saturday i brought bubbles for each of them! They were a big hit and they were blowing bubbles for quit awhile. The breeze was blowing their bubbles right into the field...It was pretty funny to see these full grown men, sweaty and all intense about their game running through waves of bubbles hahaha I really got a kick out of it.