This past weekend our family enjoyed our annual camping trip up north.?? This year was especially fun because it was Troy’s very FIRST camping trip!?? Oh the first year is so fun to watch baby experience all his firsts.?? I typically don’t take a whole lot of pictures on vacation because I just want to enjoy my kids and not be behind a camera.?? This time though, they were entertained with the great outdoors and I had the opportunity to just sit outside and click away as they played.?? I intentioned to do very little posing and just catch them naturally at play.?? Tori can’t help herself though.?? She sees my camera and starts modeling.?? I caught plenty of real life moments with her too though.???? I got such a giggle out of these shots that I decided to do a super fast process and just post a zillion of them.?? The beauty of snapshots is that you can tell a pretty big story with them quickly.?? Had I tried to video all of this (and I did do some videoing), it would take way too long to get the gist of the entirety of our trip.?? With a collage though, I can sum it up pretty succinctly.???? These pictures capture so much.?? Below you will see all kinds of “firsts”.???? Tanner showing Troy his first bug.?? Ty riding our quad all by himself (and he enjoyed it!).?? A shot of Jim and I that was taken by Ty.???? Troy walking in shoes.?? Troy trying to ride his sister’s bike.?? Troy trying to ride the quad.?? Tori’s love of her brother’s BB gun.?? (Daddy will be buying her a Pink Daisy now that he knows she is “all in”).???? Ty shooting his BB gun ALL BY HIMSELF.?? Cocking it was difficult (you’ll see a shot of that struggle) but he did it a few hundred times as he was enjoying target shooting so much.?? I have been hoping to put Tanner in Skeet Shooting out at Ben Avery in the next year or so.?? Now I am SO excited that Ty may eventually be able to participate in this as well.?? Did we, at long last, find a sport that Ty might enjoy??? Troy’s first time helping his Dad fix the quad (and yes I did mean TROY hee hee).?? The kids first tug of war game (where Tori lost a whole chunk of hair).?? Tori climbing her first tree.?? Tori playing jump rope with her Dad.?? (That rope traveled everywhere with us because she said she needed it to catch the bear that once crossed behind me on Papa’s horse Charlie on a long ago camping trip in this same area).?? Troy learning how to open the ice chest – SCORE!?? Ty’s first cricket friend who he named Will Ferrel at Tanner’s suggestion.

In addition to all those firsts, you will see what I have the blessing of seeing every day.?? My children happy.?? My children ANGRY (see Tori’s angry face when Ty wanted his gun back).?? My children FRUSTRATED (both Tanner and Tori frustrated with the quad).?? Tori dirtier than any of the boys could even begin to compete with.?? My children loving one another.?? Ty giving Tanner a good love bite.???? Tori choking Tanner out riding on his back.?? Tori throwing her hands in the air in frustration (at Ty no doubt).?? Ty yelling at Tanner to bring the quad back.?? Tori pouting, pointing her finger “no” at Troy, hands on hips at Ty…just bossin in general.?? You’ll also notice Troy’s left eye crossing in.?? Bummer huh??? Ty’s joy.?? Tanner’s sweetness.?? Troy’s curiosity.?? Tori’s passion.?? It’s all in here and I loved it.?? Every minute of it.

I love this shot of my boys!!!!!!!!

Ty wanted his gun back.?? She was not a fan.

Think we had a good time?