silly teenagers

When my niece, Devan, was camping with us last weekend she asked me if I would take some photos of her and her best friend Andrew. Thankfully she thinks I am an amazing photographer and accepts my mad skills as they are.

I actually do like practicing with cooperative subjects. I will never be as great as Jodie from Fresh Art but I do plan to continue improving.












I realize it seems like they are dating but in reality... they are not. Devan and Andrew have been BFF's since middle school. I think they are each others "back up" plan.... :) Ya know, in case no one else will marry them..... :)

weekend project

We have had this pile of rocks in our back yard since we added on to our house 3 years ago. We have wanted to put a patio there so we can have an outside dining area. Time (and money) have been a little bit of a barrier to this project. Well, the bricks just "fell in our laps" -thanks to Dale's brother who tore them out so he could put in a new olympic size patio. And when bricks are handed to you you make time to install them... THANKS Doug and Mattie!!!

Here is our rock/kids digging area...
Starting on the patio -Todd and Craig "helped". Notice they are watching Dale...
Todd surveying Dale's work...
Again, Dale working. Where are Todd and Craig? I think they are off drinking sweet tea...
Ohhh, there's Todd- carrying brick...
All kidding aside Todd and Craig were invaluable to Dale. He could not have done it without them. Well, he could have but it would have taken him FOREVER!

Here is the almost finished product. It has taken awhile to cut the edge pieces. It should be done tomorrow! :)

a few more shots to remember the weekend

there was bike riding...

From swank camping

fish feeding...

From swank camping

From swank camping

and lounging.

From swank camping

Oh and I didn't get a picture but- we did consume 2 Mario's Pizzas. Some of you know that that is worth mentioning whether you have a picture or not.

more family fun

We did lots of swimming this weekend...

From swank camping

From swank camping

they had fun making a "swirl pool"

From swank camping

From swank camping

From swank camping

From swank camping

From swank camping

From swank camping

labor day weekend

The Swank family went camping this weekend. We had beautiful weather, lots of activities and great food....

From swank camping

Thanks to grandma everyone had their own personalized golf ball and a putter. They did LOTS of mini golfing.

From swank camping

From swank camping

Luke learned how to shoot a bow. Every time Uncle Jim got the bow out Luke headed over. He is in love with this activity!

From swank camping

He's pretty good at it too...

From swank camping

From swank camping

From swank camping

From swank camping

From swank camping

Micah loves to play with his trucks...

From swank camping

We did lots of sitting around too...

From swank camping

Devan and her friend Andrew came too....

From swank camping

#4

Reagan lost tooth #4 today. She has been anxiously awaiting its departure for weeks. As she bit into her bagel at lunch it came out. She did a little dance and then made a few phone calls. It was a glorious day!

what $40 of fun looks like

ride 1-




ride 2- (Can you tell who hates the tilt-o-whirl?!)






ride 3-


We might as well have gone to Jilly's....