The Tyler Family: August 2011

{Hume Again, Hume Again, Jiggity Jig}

Ahhh...I love that our adventure with Eli as a newborn has turned into a family tradition. We have gone to Hume Lake for a week every summer now, for five summers! So much fun! It is great to get away from your normal routine, spend time as a family and to be at the true "happiest places on earth"!

This year was slightly different due to our newly moody 4 year old who in years past has wanted to do anything and everything under the sun (at least twice) but this year only wanted to stay in his jammies and play at the cabin! Don't get me wrong, I would not have complained about the down time, however, this year, we also had a little 1 year old who was giving up her morning nap and if we didn't leave the cabin and do something, would fall completely apart by 9am!!! Not the best combination, but we made the most of it.

We did manage to drag Eli to the beach, for a walk, to the playground, to day camp and the pool (all of which he loved once he got there of course) and Naomi even got to be a "day camper" too! This gave Mommy and Daddy two awesome morning dates. We took advantage of that and walked around the lake, got coffee and also went boating!

Hume Lake is such an amazing place and holds such a special place in my heart and spiritual walk that I look forward to spending many more summers up there as a family. I think each time we go, we talk about how it will be for the kids to attend their week long summer camps and how much fun they'll have (even though that is years away!). Oh well, for now we'll just enjoy the mountains, the peace and family time, knowing each fun summer vacation is one closer to our kids experiencing the wonderfulness that is Hume Lake Christian Camps!

Eli the Butterfly Hunter (one day during Naomi's nap, I asked Eli what he wanted to do. He replied, "hunt for butterflies!" Of course, why not! Armed with a bubble wand and walkie talkie we set out)

Success!

Replinishing after the hunt!

I can still see my "little boy" in pictures like this one

Did I mentioned it poured a few afternoons?! Crazy!

Fort time, on acount of the rain

We ate breakfast and lunch at the cabin, but joined the staff for dinners...now that's what I call a vacation!

Anything you can do....

...I can do too!

Big stuff and Little stuff

Macho, macho man

Beach time!

"I'm just a summer girl..."

Eli wanted to build a castle, so we went to work, added a mote and viola!

the finished product.

{Dedication}

On Father's Day weekend we dedicated Naomi to the Lord in front of family and our church. What a precious gift we've been given to care for, love and to nurture. I pray we do the best we can and trust God with the rest! We love you Naomi Jane!

Not sure if you can tell, but Naomi was "that kid" during the service. Crying, squirming, wanting to walk off the stage...

Trying hard not to smile for Papa

ALL smiles for Uncle Tim!

Our crazy family

The support "staff" (not pictured Joe and Lisa Vaughn)

Warming up to the idea

Our "Bo-mi Monster" back in action

{Party Girl}

Following the dramatic birthday, we had a small party at the park on Saturday. I can't believe I'm admitting this (being a 2nd child myself) but we definitely downplayed the party for Naomi since "she's only 1, she's not going to remember it!" I know, I know, I never thought I'd do it either! :)

We had a very nice, low-key day, hanging out at the park, eating pizza and watching the kids play. Naomi wanted nothing to do with with super fun caterpillar cake I made or the "eaten" cookies either. I had a sneaky suspicion she might not want them so I had a second "cake" on hand just in case. She managed to stick her finger in the cake but nothing else so we have no great photos of cake mashed in her face! Bummer! She did very much enjoy her layers of blueberries and strawberries however. Naomi definitely has a mind of her own!