New painting

Here is the latest painting I did for a nursery this week.  I haven't painted in a while, and it was so fun.  I remember why I love it and all art, really.  Love being creative.

Hair

Ok, I haven't even posted pictures of the first day, but I have a new hobby! Hair. Sadie has been my willing guinea pig this first week and she has loved to see what new "do" we will do each day.  It has been fun and I loved having her hair out of her face.  She had her first day of dance too this week and she loved it (like I knew she would and we had to make her take it!) She is a blessing and I can't imagine not having my little Sadie girl!!

Kanakuk and Colorado

 On our way to Kamp~the kids were SO excited!

 McDaddy (what they called him) introducing the kids and they find out what Barn they are in-all the counselors are jumping up and down-its really fun and exciting

 Emerson is in BARN 12!  The oldest barn and only for kampers that have been there for 4 or 5 yrs!

 Sadie sitting on her bunk with her new fan to keep her cool!

 Campbell is in Barn 1-so ready to get this started

 We go to Colorado with the Shewmakers-first day the Alpine Slides in Breckenridge.  This was right in back of our hotel

 This is in Kansas City.  This brown patch in Kelly and David's yard was caused by him when he poured out the grease from the turkey they fried at THANKSGIVING!! So sorry Shewmakers!

 We rented bikes and rode all the trails around the town-really fun and gorgeous!

 Picking up the kids at Kanakuk-these are a little out of order!

 On top of the mountain we climbed-over 13,000 ft but we cheated and drove up at least half of the way

 Ziplining!  It was fun-here we are gearing up

 Camp's counselors at kamp-Kyle and Garrett.  Great kids

 Kelly and I did some on line shopping at Nordstroms while in CO-this was only hers! ha

 Emerson got to choose kayaking for her sport being the oldest and she loved it.  She now wants a kayak. I was really proud of her.  She did awesome.

 This is a letter from Campbell....just "dear mom and dad" ha!

 Emerson's counselors.  Bridgette and Kelsey...they were precious.  This was Emerson's 2nd year to have Kelsey and that was so great.  She was so sweet to her.

 Madison and Emerson.  She went to K West this year because she turned 12.  So this was their only day to see each other.

 Eating Coffee Cake on Sunday morning at the dining hall.

 The Shewmakers, Beckers and our kids.  3rd year in a row together at K Kountry

 Ellison, Sadie and Elizabeth...Ellison lives not 2 miles away from us and this was their 3rd time to be in the same barn together so we must get together more this year.  He hair always looked perfect in all of the pictures during kamp and Sadie and Elizabeth just wore theirs down! ha

Sadie's foot in Jonathan's face on the way home.:)  We are soooo glad to be home but always love our time in Branson and Kansas City!

Life.Is.Fun.

Life is fun, really.  Just think of all the things we are blessed with and what we get to do despite being busy and have a million things going on.  We are blessed and I am choosing to think that way today.  Here is Campbell face painting.  He was so proud to be able to participate.  This is from Como last week.  The next one is him getting ready for his game.  His legs look like little sticks when he puts on his long socks and it cracks me up.  Just want to remember that.  The rest of these are from the VIP party which is the volunteer party at our church.  They really make you feel special and its for all volunteers at our church.  The kids had a blast and then we went and ate at Mi Cocina.  

 At the top of the ferris wheel

 Ring of Fire-the kids loved it, you couldn't pay me enough-ok well you could

Great relaxing weekend with no games and it rained all day Sunday.

Easter 2011

I have totally ignored this blog because i got caught up with digital scrapbooking, but I started reading through my blog this weekend and I didn't remember half those stories i told.  They were PRICELESS to me so I promised myself I would just pick back up on Monday and pretend I never stopped.  I know this will be a treasure to me one day.  We had Easter and Emerson's 11th birthday on the same day so we were BUSY!  They got out early on Friday so E had two friends, Grace and Caroline over to spend the night.  We went and had lunch, then drove up to the pet store.  We just sat there until they noticed and J said we need to get something in here.  Immediately she said "My HAMPSTER!!"  Yes, she got a hampster.  If you know me, you know I must love her because we now have a rodent in our house and I'm not trying to exterminate it.  Her name is Ruthie Kate.  The look on E's face was awesome and I was really excited for her.  We came home and set up her cage, and then went and saw Soul Surfer-one of the best movies ever to take your kids to!  We all loved it-great message and good story.  Then on to rock climbing and then home for cake.  Lots of fun and tiring!  Saturday we went to Como in Ft. Worth to help with an outreach in  the Como neighborhood.  I was stunned how clost it was to Camp Bowie~such a poor part of town but with the sweetest people.  We were in charge of face painting and even the kids did it.  Sweet Campbell did many faces and he was so excited and it was precious.  I loved that they were involved.  We had Camp's game and then on to Main Event to bowl with my family for Patton and E's birthday.  We were all exhausted but got up and then had Easter.  Church was awesome and loved the drama they did.  I am SO thankful for Jesus and I pray I will honor him with my life not just honor Him on Easter Sunday.  We went to my Mom's house for lunch and it was so good.  Opened presents for E's birthday and just hung out a bit.  I came home and crashed because we tired.  But, a great weekend with the ones I love.

I am so thankful Emerson.  She is the sweetest 11 year old girl.  So pure and caring and a dream daughter.  I am trying to enjoy each day with her and watch her grow in wonder.  God blessed us so when she was born and I cherish her.

What we have been doing for 4 months! (part 1)

I am determined to get better about posting on my blog...but I wanted to just hit some highlights of recent times in the Stites house!Making funny photos of ourselves on the computer!
Eating outside and having friends over...Grace and Mia Tubbs here
4Th of July at the Polks house-sorry Emerson, I didn't see your closed eyes!
Deciding we love Toy Story again and playing with all the toys-so glad I saved them!
A late night ice cream run in Kansas city while the girls were at kamp. Kelly and I put them to bed, and waited 10 minutes then yelled "ice Cream run, Ice cream run" and went to get some in our pajamas! Oh wait, Campbell refused to wear pajamas-he is SO me!
In Kansas City again, getting to see 5 hot air balloons lift off-with our cousins Caroline and Hampton!
Being silly in the car...
Only shot of Emerson at her dance recital, no photos and her eyes are closed! This is friend Grace who lives around the corner. Sweet girl and family
I never looked like this is skinny jeans!
The only letter I got from Sadie when she was at kamp for 2 weeks!
Emerson graduated from Elementary School!
Girls went to K-Kountry again!
Reading in the bath like Dad! No seriously, he does.
Fell back asleep under my desk first week of kindergarten, he was SO tired! On the 6th day, he said "I'm just not go to school today!" Oh yes, you are.
For some reason, this picture 2 times
First week of Kinder and 3rd!
First week of 5th, looks too old in my opinion!
Picture Campbell drew of us, we are playing tennis. I left it out for 2 weeks. so cute
Another Rangers game, they just love it! We watched every game this season.
Back on the Cubs for Fall Ball!