Just hanging out

My brother and his family have been living in Washington the last two years and were preparing to cross the country to go to school in Boston. So we spent a couple of days getting a big Jeremy, Rachel and Brinley fix to last us the next five months.

jackson on the trampoline

 ellie and uncle jeremy

happy 16th birthday jordan

grandpa jan : breaking all the rules and sneaking all the treats

Cousins

These girls are all months in age. Emily (6 months), Ellie (2 months), Brinley (4 months). I see many tea parties, princesses, shopping trips, and trips to the nail salon in the future. 

max wanted in on some of the action

susie, emily, em, ellie, rachel, brinley

Ellie's Blessing

We are so blessed to have so much family close to share these precious moments with. We blessed Ellie at church and then had a family lunch.

Ellie Mae Dorman

From the start you will be a light to all those around you. Be bright, vibrant and shine forth.

Bless you that you will be an example of values, principles, gospel, and the Savior.

Bless you to have a desire to be close to your Heavenly Father.

Bless you that your Heavenly Father and Savior will be an active part of your life.

Look to your mom and follow her lead, follow her example, hard working, testimony.

Bless you to be close to your family. Close to your grandparents.

Bless you to be kind, patient, have charity.

Bless you that you will have angels round about you.

Blessed by your dad with family in the circle. Grandpa Jan, Grandpa Roger, Jeremy Koontz, Tim Harris, Michael Holladay, Matthew Davis, Ryan Dorman.

This is kinda a random photo, but Jackson fell asleep on the couch after the photos and Max squirmed his way into Jackson's arms. So cute.

Playtime

This is what happens when boys play with girls. Ellie and Brin became little WWF wrestlers courtesy of their brother and dad.

And she is out for the count.

 

blanket tassle : so stinkin' intriguing

Dorman Gehring Camping Retreat 2012

This year's camping trip with the Gehrings was a weekend getaway to a lake house on Star Lake. I know, kidda cheating this year due to our little baby Ellie. But I think it was perfect. There was a gorgeous little lake complete with docks, paddle boat, row boat, games and great friends. I will let the overwhelming amount of photos speak for themselves. 

Rule One: All kids must wear a lifejacket while on the water or the dock.

 

Oops

  

jackson suiting up to go out on the water : ellie mae

To say the kids loved the paddle boat would be an understatement. It was great because the kids would all get in and go out on the lake. They would paddle around for a little while and then come back to shore. And then repeat, and repeat and repeat. 

jackson : unsuccessfully trying to convince max to put aforementioned lifejacket on

Lawn Olympics

 

one of my favorites : love the stretching pose sam

Gourmet s'mores : Best idea ever. We substituted the chocolate with different candies, used specialty marshmallows and cookies. Some of our favorites were...

graham cracker, mint marshmallow, andes mint chocolate

graham cracker, apple slice, marshmallow and rollos (shown below)

chocolate chip cookie, marshmallow and reese's peanut butter cup

graham cracker, coconut marshmallow and hershey chocolate

isn't camping without sausage and biscuits on a stick

Early morning fishing

arts and crafts : melting crayon pieces on rocks in the sun

More paddle boating

Row Boat : Sam loved the paddle boat, then he discovered the row boat. He was in heaven. He rowed all over the lake, and was quite good and maneuvering it too.

our fun filled weekend wore them out

Proof that there were adults on this camping trip.

Another great year Gehrings! Can't wait until next summer's adventure.