Holidays Are Over....

We are home from our last week of holidays...and boy did it ever go by FAST! This time we headed off to one of our very favorite spots...Surveyor's Lake, B.C. The weather was so perfect, HOT everyday. What more could we have asked for. We were also happy that we were able to have a campfire, which we haven't been able to do for the past few years as it has been so dry. This year everything was perfect. We were happy to be able to camp with Tyler's brother, Bronc and his family. It was so nice to have his older girls there to occupy the boys. They rode their bikes and went to the park many times. It was so fun to soak up the sun on the beach and watch the kids play. And of course we were chasing after Gracie. She is sure moving around. Luckily she is SO cute that people didn't mind if she walked all over their towels and beach blanket soaking wet and all sandy. LOL!

It was also a great time to do some reading. I read a wonderful book that I would encourage everyone to read. It is very thought provoking. It made me wonder if I am READY...If I would be FAITHFUL enough...If I am PRE-PARED. The book is called The Great Gathering by Chad Daybell.

I am anxious to pick up the 2nd and 3rd book in the series and find out what happens to these 3 families. I have also been reading the Harry Potter series and have found them to be very fun to read. I usually don't read fantasy books with wizards and magic, but I have really taken a liking to this series.

I am so thankful that we were able to spend some quality time together as a family enjoying nature. I was happy that we were able to shut off our cell phones (other than checking email & FB once a day) and not have the t.v. on for background noise. It was good to see the kids being active and enjoying their surroundings. I enjoyed the talks I had with Tyson about the upcoming school year. I hope that I can instill self confidence in him. To me that is one of the most important attributes you can have. If you have self confidence you can stand up for yourself and your beliefs. You aren't afraid to be a leader and make your own decisions. I am excited for the kids to go back to school next week. I love watching them learn and grow, make new friends and succeed. I hope that Tyson will remember that he can accomplish anything he puts his mind to, just like going on the rope swing when he thought it might be to hard or scary. He DID it and then went on it again cause he realized how fun it was. I was so proud of him. I hope my kids will remember those teaching moments we have had.

Now it is back to reality...laundry, and housework and catching up on all the things that got neglected while we were away. But I wouldn't want it any other way. I am happy to get into a routine again. Life is good...I have SO much to be thankful for!

Here are a few pics from our holiday:

This little stinker was supposed to be going to bed...but was playing instead. Isn't she just SO cute!

Gracie our little beach baby. Did I mention that NIBS are her favorite treat.

Tyson got really good at snorkeling!


Carson totally tuckered out after playing on the beach ALL day!

Tyson's first time on a rope swing. He was a little apprehensive...but he did GREAT and LOVED it!

Pilling Family: Surveyor's Lake 2009