summer 2018 family pictures

Okay, so I realize I'm super late in posting these family pictures that we took way back in August.  I didn't want to post them before I sent out Christmas cards, and then I got so behind, that I'm just now doing it.  Looking at these photos again reminds me that it's time to start planning this year's photo shoot.  We had these pictures taken when we were in Utah in August.  I really wanted to have some family pictures taken in the mountains.  I love the mountains and miss them every day.  I was so glad that we were able to make it work to do a photo shoot with them in the background.  

I have a friend here, who has a sister that lives out in Utah, who knows a ton about photography, who was kind enough to come help take these photos.  Some of the shots of the kids I took, and some she did, and of course the photos of our whole family wouldn't have worked without her.  It was so much better than the years I set up a tripod and try to take our family photos by myself!

rock climbing adventure

Back in January, we spent a weekend in Milwaukee just to have some fun and spend time as a family.

Our favorite part of the weekend was rock climbing!  It was so much fun.  This place was great for us beginners, and even Everly was old enough to try it.  (Although she didn't try very hard, but she was content watching us and cheering us on!)

Krew started the day pretty scared and hesitant.  He would go up a little way, and then decide he couldn't go any higher.  Finally, he decided that he was determined to go all the way to the top, so he did.  Then we couldn't get him to stop!  He would scamper all the way to the top, come down and as long as there was no one waiting behind him, he would go right back up again!  This is how Krew learns and succeeds in lot of areas of his life, and I love him for it!

Ky was quietly determined the whole time.  I would watch him climb a trickier route.  He would get to a point where he felt stuck, and I watched as he analyzed the route ahead of him, and eventually he found a way up, even if it took him quite a while.  He did not give up!

I think this is about as high as Everly went all day.  Give it a few years, and she'll be ready to scamper  all the way up the wall!

I love this picture! What a fun day we had!

I raced Ky and Kade.  Can you see who won? ;)

Another highlight of this trip was swimming in the hotel pool.  The kids were thrilled when we got into our room and realized that there was a back door in the room that went straight out to the pool area!  Coolest hotel room ever!

I love when we get to go on adventures as a family and make happy memories together!