My September 2014 Camping Adventure

On September 23rd, 2014, I went camping with my oldest brother and his family for Joanna's 17th birthday. I was very excited to go camping, because I have only been camping once before, when I was 5-years-old.

We got to the Lake Irwin campsite about an hour before sunset. After we finished setting up camp, we saw this gorgeous sunset!

 Looking back at our campsite. When it got totally dark, we went out into the clearing to look at the stars. We would stare into the sky until it seemed like all the stars were popping out at us. It was so cool!

 Joanna and I set up the tent.

 After it got dark, it was cold. Here we are warming up by the fire with cappuccino.

 Early in the morning, we went to Irwin Lake for Randy, Joanna, Quil, and Micah to fish. They didn't get any fish that morning, but that was okay, because they got 4 fish the next night.

 Randy helping Quil with his fishing pool.

 I climbed up on a little mountain, and this was the view. The mist coming off the lake was beautiful.

 That morning after fishing and breakfast we got loaded into the car and took off for places unknown. :) We stopped lots, waded in the water, and every opportunity possible, Randy and Joanna fished.

 Randy's family in the mountains :)

 My niece Jewelyn and I <3

 Jonathan and Jewelyn -- sweetness <3

This was a "road" that we weren't allowed to drive on, so we got out and hiked, and found out why we could drive on it. It was an awful, ruined road. But it led to 2 waterfalls, so it was worth the hike!

 Joanna and I at one of the waterfalls.

 The other waterfall that was even prettier than the first one!

 Another lake that we stopped at.

 While the rest of the family fished, I took my nephew Jonathan farther down the shore (away from the fishing) for him to throw in rocks.

 The next afternoon on the way home, we stopped at a huge lake (that I'm sorry I can't remember the name of). Randy fished, and the rest of us waded. It was amazing! It was my favorite part of the trip I think. The lake felt like the ocean to me, except it was much smaller, and the waves came gliding in so nicely.

 My three nephews and I making delightful memories!

 Quil, Micah, me, and Jonathan. Jon did not like me to try to put him down in the water, but he loved for me to hold him while I was walking through the waves. Whenever I would go to the shore, he would say, "Emi, take a walk in the water!" :)

 Jewelyn and I <3

It was a really nice trip, and we are glad we went. We are glad that we got back too, because last night Crested Butte (where the campsite was) got a lot of snow!

September Photos

Here are some photos about our September:

Back in June I got my driver's permit, so I have been enjoying learning how to drive.

Mother's hair is still growing since her finished-chemo in September 2011. It is amazing to us how long her hair has grown in 3 years. I am so thankful for my beloved mother!

Mother comforting Jewelyn one Sunday afternoon.

Jewelyn is 5 months old now, and getting so big already!

My mother and I matching on Sunday <3

We try to take walks often during the week, and this was on one of those walks.

Love my Daddy and Mother so much! <3

We got a bunch of apples from friends, so Mother and I spent a whole day making applesause, applebutter, and apple-pie-filling. :)

Daddy and I working in the evening.

Everything we got done. Mother is amazing with canning!

Both these pictures are from another walk...

Next coming is a post about our fun camping trip last week!

August Happenings

Here are photos from our busy August. =)

On August 2nd, my youngest nephew turned 2!! This was his birthday "cake". :)

 The next week, we helped my brother and his family do VBS at their church. It went very well.

 The activity one day was a balloon-relay-race, and for that to happen, many balloons had to be blown up. :) That's what my friend Joanna and I and two other girls (that came to help during VBS) got to do.

 My dear mother, with her hands full.

 One of the days, Joanna and I went with our friends to Celestial Seasonings for a tour. :)

 My nephews Quil and Micah loved having Uncle Jason home for the summer.

 Beth enjoying our niece, Jewelyn.

 I enjoy her too. <3

One day in August (before my brother and sister had to go back to college) all my available family, and friend Joanna went hiking in the mountains. We had a wonderful time, and got lots of exercise. :)

 There was lots of different scenery on the way up to Gem Lake.

 Along the way, we played around, going through caves, valleys, and wedges like this just for fun. :)

 Mother with the beautiful mountains behind her.

 After we got to Gem Lake, we had a picnic lunch.

 And then Jason, Joanna, and I scrambled up even higher. That was the funnest part of the day. We climbed to the very top! :)

 On the way up to the top...

 On top of the world! Kinda. It was such an amazing view!

 Longs and Meeker mountains in the distance.

 Going back down the trail.

Before J+B left, we celebrated Mother's, Jason's, and Beth's birthdays, since they would be at college for their birthdays.

 An evening talk with my brother on the swing the night before he left.

 On August 19th, Mother and I went to Wyoming to visit dear friends of ours. My friend Ivanna and I walked down to the culvert near their house to sing. :)

 My mother's birthday was on August 24th. =) Here she is enjoying her granddaughter while waiting to eat her dessert.

 At a friend's wedding on the 29th in Colorado Springs. It was a beautiful and God-filled wedding.

 Then the reception was in the woods! :)

 The cake was so unique and beautiful! Yes, that is stumps/logs. :)