We're Having Babies!! :)

. . . . ha ha, gotcha, didn't I? Not us - as in Mark and I -but us, as in the the newest additions to our family, the two sweet little birds who have taken up residence on our deck. For the past couple of months we have watched this mommy and daddy bird carefully construct a nest in the birdhouse we have on our deck, and now it's apparent something is going on in there because the mommy is sitting in there all the time (see picture above), and the daddy sits on the railing right next to the birdhouse. It's the cutest thing! It's highly unusual for us to look out the window and not see both of them - in fact, if they are gone, I sit and worry until I see them back on their perches. We love having them around, and I hope we'll get to see their new little family before they all move on . . . . I'm going to be sad when they're gone!! Here's the daddy on the railing - and he'll even hop on the nest to cover for mommy sometimes (second picture below):

We had the most awesome day Sunday- it was just the perfect day. We went camping over the weekend with some friends and my mom and dad (right by Custer Peak - a really beautiful area), so that was a lot of fun, of course, but yesterday was just a great day. We got up, cooked omelettes in the camper, then the group of us all hiked up Custer Peak - it was GORGEOUS. Perfect weather, amazing scenery, great company - a very nice way to spend a Sunday morning. And of course, I documented it . . . . . .

Here's Jack checking out the view about 1/2 way up . . . .

Noah and Jack and their favorite camping buddies:

Up at the top - spectacular 360 degree views - what a cool place!

My little rock-climber - it's impossible to keep his feet down on the ground . . .

Anyway, moving on - we then packed up and headed home. I managed to unload the camper AND unpack within one hour (!) and then we headed out on a 2-mile run with the kids (them on their bikes, of course). After everyone showered, we had supper and then all watched America's Got Talent together. Anyway, it was just a really fun family day - wish every day could be like that!

Next up: a 3-night camping trip to Spearfish with some friends for the long holiday weekend. Getting ready to head out early Thursday - and this will be our last camping trip until the middle of August! Happy 4th of July!

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord . . . " Psalm 33:12