Camping

I love Fall camping and this past weekend we went to Table Rock, SC. It is a great reminder of God's wonderful creation and the beauty that surrounds us.  It also helps quite our minds and slow down the pace of the busyness of life. Table Rock is a great place to camp with kids and could not ask for better weather!  We went hiking, biking, and had just all around fun.  We got to hang with the Rehberg family too, which we were glad to meet their newest addition Emma Kate. We are headed to Oconee camping this coming weekend and can't wait!

Don't you love my diva in her skirt....always styling no matter what she is doing!  Love that about my little Pheebers.

Also wanted to add some camping tips with young kids...

We like to take a box fan for noise at night ,to keep the pesky bugs away, and  to keep smoke away while sitting by the fire.

Take popcorn,always a big hit.

Glow stick, glow sticks, glow sticks!!!! You can see them in the dark too by the glow.

I found these finger lazer lights at the Dollar store, which the kids loved.

Put up colored lights (they give off just enough light around the site and easy to spot if you are coming back from the bathrooms or if the kids get turned around they can look for the colored lights).

Play-dough, coloring books, and games come in handy too.

If kids make friends be sure they stay in your camp site (so be sure to be the hot spot so they want to stay) You can keep a better eye on them and monitor what they are doing...

Hammocks can give many hours of fun for kids.

Tell the kids to be on the look out for stuff to put on the science shelf ( this time around we found an old wasp nest, empty snail shells, and a dirt dobbers mud nest).  The kids love that kind of stuff and keeps their eyes on the ground  and that helps to keep an eye on exposed roots to not fall down.

To add a twist to smores just use Reeses instead of chocolate.

I like to take books to read to the kid around the fire before bed.  It helps wind them down after all the sugar from smores and this time of year scary books are fun (age appropriate scary of course)!   

Get the kids to help set up camp and pack things up too.  They like to be a part of it and keeps them out of trouble while you are setting up.

Do not worry about dirt because getting dirty is the fun part. I keep baby wipes handy for those super dirty hands and feet.

This weekend I am trying a couple of new things so will have to share those if they work out.  They now have phone apps to help identification of different animal scat and others too.  Got to love technology but last weekend we did not have service but I have a boy scout book just in case.  =)

I am sure I could add more but that is all I have for now, 

HAPPY CAMPING!!!!

Check out these massive worms we found near the camp site....we first thought the one on the left was a snack because it was moving leaves when it crawled.  We are taking fishing poles with us next time!

Scripture that spoke to me this week was...
2 Timothy 1:7    "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline"

Roman 5:1-5 (vs.5) "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into out heart by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us"

September 2012

It is official Mr. Masters has returned home!  We are thankful and blessed!  Praise God!

We have started going to a new church that is closer to home and we took a family pic of us before our first visit.  

 Nana came early to help because we were hosting a family gathering/ birthdays for the kids.  Here they are decorating their piggy banks that Grandpa and Nana bought them for their b-days.

 The cousins came early to visit and help.  Here we are having a campfire with smores..... yummy!

 Here is a picture of the family that came to celebrate with us.  We are so blessed with so many wonderful people in our family!  THanks to everyone who came to celebrate and visit.

Present time...

We visited our wonderful friends the Harpers and as always had fun.  They are so wonderful to put up with us and we love them dearly!  Here is to more fun times!!!

 Our sweet Phoebe got her ears pierced and did not even cry.  She was so excited! She also left the training wheels behind and is riding like a pro.  She will be ready for that triathlon next year.

 Mr. Masters did his first triathlon in over 7 years....so proud of him.  He had a personal best time too!  Way to go Daddy.  This is his friend Chris (which was his first one) and he did great!

Can not believe that summer went by so quick and that fall is here.  The kids are doing great in school.  Lula lost her 2nd tooth last week.  Greyson is still potty training!!! Until next time.....

Beach time

We headed to Myrtle beach for a week!  We went crabbing at night, body surfing, lots of beach time, and water park fun.  Greyson is liking the beach more and the girls were catching some serious waves.  The crabs were teeny tiny but fun none the less.  We had great weather and enjoyed spending time with Daddy.  Mr. Masters surprised me with an 1.5 massage while he took the kids to the beach.  I loved being spoiled but my favorite part was spending time as a whole family.  =)

He officially comes home in a week!