Hello again

 As usual, it's been a while in between posts and, as usual, a lot has happened in our Shaw family. Tate's birthday came and went. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that he's 3. Ayden and Ellie finished school and started summer break. And we started off our summer vacation with an overnight family camping trip. 
Tate's 3rd party was at a park with family. I think he sat still for about 30 seconds while we got a quick picture of the cake and then he was off. Typical 3 year old. I love his cheesy smile, it's so him!

 Ellie participated in Hip Hop dance this past Spring and she had a lot of fun for her recital in May. One of her favorite things was she got to wear pink! Her best friend Rylie was in the same dance class and they had a lot of fun practicing at home.

with Kaylie and Rylie. thanks Keisha for the flower!

While Ellie did dance, Ayden started baseball with Spencer as one of his coaches. Spencer says some of his best memories are his dad coaching and watching him play baseball. So it's important to him to be a part of Ayden's life in that way. Ayden loves to play 2nd baseman or shortstop and is learning to like catcher. He's actually really good at catcher, but his short legs get tired easily!

he looks so cute! 

Our family has not been a big camping family in the past. Ok, let me confess! We've never gone camping outside our backyard as a family. Not because we haven't wanted to or don't enjoy it, but because 3 of us suffer from summer allergies and it makes for pretty miserable camping. But we decided it was time to be tough and just do it.
The kids had fun finding rocks for the fire pit. Tate especially liked to place the rocks where he thought they looked best.

Mister Muscles

working hard

After we got the tent set up and the fire pit ready, Ellie said "we are officially camping now".

Ellie loves to pose

waiting for hotdogs

From the moment the camp fire was going, the kids wanted S'mores. Being the mean parents that we are we made them wait until dinner was done and they had jammies on. But I think it was worth the wait!

After dinner and S'mores we made silly videos on our camera and had a kissing contest. I think Spencer and I were the winners because we got loves from our kids.

pucker up

smooshed noses!

this is awkward Dad!

We all slept in the tent and didn't freeze or die of heat. I had to sleep with Tate on the air mattress....that was NOT fun. He is a snuggler and loves to be snuggled CLOSE to you. We woke up the next morning and ate a delayed breakfast while we tried to figure out the camping stove. Tate kept asking to "pee in the woods." He thought that was the best thing ever!

We had a blast camping together and will try to go a few more times this summer.