Camp!!

This past week, I packed up most of our house and we traveled to our Church's Youth Camp!! I was super excited to take Graham with us this year. He had a blast as he got A TON of attention 24/7 from all of our students!!! Our church's camp is called Last Blast and it is held at a beautiful location in Ohio. It sits right on Lake Erie, so we get some pretty awesome views.
John, Graham and I stayed in a super cute little cabin that had recently been renovated and it was just too cute. AND...IT HAD AIR CONDITIONING!!!! It was a super hot, hot, HOT week, so I appreciated it so so much. Graham did pretty well adjusting to the new environment, with the exception of the first night. We were in a one bedroom cabin, and at 2am, Graham woke up and wanted to play. We couldn't exactly let him cry it out since we were in a one bedroom!! The next night and every night after that was great!
This is a pic I snapped of our little cabin. Isn't it so cute??

It was really fun to be with the students all week too. We have such awesome students in our youth group and I have become very close with some of them. I am so thankful for the students that came to camp and allowed God to work in their lives. We had an incredible week and God was at work!!!!! Many student's heart's were softened and incredible change has taken place. Our student's are also more United together. I don't think I would have said this a few years ago, but I truly do enjoy being a youth pastor's wife! Ha! I feel like God has really brought John and I together to serve Him and our students!


The week flew by and before you knew it, it was time to come home again. I am so thankful for the way God worked this past week! He IS incredible!!!!!

Blessed...

A baby has a special way of adding joy in every single day.
-- Author Unknown












A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.
-- Anonymous

My Nephews

Yesturday I got to spend some time with my sister and her precious newborn twins. I was able to take some pictures of her baby boys and I couldn't get over how tiny they are. I kept asking myself, "was Graham really this small??". It amazes me how quickly my sweet Graham has changed. He is now 9.5 months and just the joy of our lives. He is at such a fun stage...crawling everywhere, pulling himself up onto everything, saying 'daaddaaadddaaaaa', giggling, blowing raspberries on us and more. He is just too fun. I LOVE being able to stay home with him and capture these precious memories!!! He is growing up so so fast and I just want to savor every single moment.
I am hardly remembering the times when he was this tiny:



And now he's my happy, sweet 9 month old baby boy :) :


ALSO!!! BIG MILESTONE!!!!!!!!! For the first time EVER, Graham slept from 7 pm-7 am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is HUGE for us!!! I would always hear other momma's talk about how their babies would sleep from 7-7 and I would always be envious, but my lil sweetie pie slept like a champ last night!!!

Okay, time for pictures :). Here are my cutie pie nephews!!!! It's so fun having nephews who are TWINS!! :). Enjoy!

4th of July

I meant to post this earlier, but time got away from me! We had a great time celebrating Graham's first 4th of July!! We spent the day at my mother in laws with family. We had a great time even though it was SUPER hot and humid. Thank goodness for air conditioning!!! The next day we headed to a cookout with our good friends. We are so thankful for the good friends and family in our lives!!!

Mr. and Mrs. Ross Hougland!!!

What a BEAUTIFUL wedding!!!!! My best friend Jessica got married two years ago outside at her parents home. I LOVED being part of Jessica's day and participating in my first outdoor wedding. Jessica's younger sister, Emily got married yesterday! The wedding was also outdoors at her parents house and again, it was stunning. It was such a beautiful day and everything just looked perfect! All I can say is, I'm so glad that I got married before these girls otherwise I would have wanted an outdoor wedding as well! GORGEOUS!!! The sky was so blue, the horses were in the pasture, the sun was shinning, THE BRIDE LOOKED INCREDIBLE!!!!!










I just love Emily. I am sad she is moving away to Kansas, but excited for her adventurous life to begin with her new husband! She is a beautiful girl and my number one fashion consultant :).
John and I had a great time as well. My sister in law and brother babysat Graham for us, so John and I were able to have a fantastic date. It was definitely memorable :). Being friends with Jessica has given us the opportunity to meet new people. Through out the weddings and showers these past few years, I have gotten to know some great girls. It's always fun to catch up with them at the "Herbster" events :).




Have I mentioned how much I love this man??? We had SO much fun together yesterday!!!





CONGRATS ROSS AND EMILY!!!!!!!!! Thank you for allowing us to share in your special day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a blast in Mexico!!!

Enjoying Sweet Summer Time!!!

The weather here this week has been absolutely GORGEOUS!!!! Clear, blue, sunny skies all week long!! It has been so great, especially after the numerous storms we had last week. I have been taking advantage of this nice weather by going on lots of walks with Graham, feeding the ducks with Graham, and going to the pool with John and Graham!
Today we decided to go to the beach!! It was Graham's first beach experience. At first he wasn't so sure of the sand, but then he became comfortable with it :). He eventually started crawling around in it. He DID NOT like the water though. The lake was slightly chilly, but I think it was the waves that scared him.


Graham looked so so cute in his sunglasses!!! I was bummed he wouldn't keep them on!!


Graham did alot of this in the beginning...just kinda staring at the sand and the water, wondering where the heck he was at.


John started making a sand castle and Graham seemed to enjoy picking up the sand and "helping" :). After awhile, John took Graham into the water to cool off, but Graham wanted nothing to do with the water.








We had a lot of fun at the beach, but quickly realized that lazy beach days of laying in the sun, reading magazines and doing nothing are probably on hold for awhile :). A 9 month old makes for a active day at the beach :). I wouldn't have it any other way though!!!
Finally, a trip to the beach is not complete unless it concludes with ice cream!!!! We visited our FAVORITE ice cream shop on our way home. They have my favorite ice cream EVER, peppermint patty. SOOO good!!! I love creating fun memories!!