Looking back to last summer...

A year ago yesterday, we were on our way to Pine Cove Family Camp! To say that we are excited about going back again this year is a definite understatement!!! We have watched our video from last year almost everyday for the last week, and we can't quit talking about it! So, to build the anticipation even more, I thought I would post just a few of our pictures from last year!

Pine Cove Bluffs - Family Camp, August 2010

This was one of Kinsey's favorite things to do! Our cabin was right by this swing, so anytime we were headed anywhere or headed back, she wanted to swing!

Dax really likes to swing too! He could only do this one last year, but we're hoping he can enjoy the big one this year.

 One of our theme nights was "Great Scot"... hence the Scottish attire.  :-) My husband was such a great sport! Not sure that very many wives would be able to get their husbands to wear a kilt! It's hard to see in this pic, but Dax is actually wearing a kilt that matches his daddy's!

Kins and I had a great time learning some fun dances!

"Sword" fighting!

This is one of my favorites! She was having so much fun playing in the sand!

More sand! This huge sand pit was right outside the big meeting room where we had all of our meals.

This pic is from our sunset boatride...which was preceeded by a picnic for 2! :-)

 Early morning trail ride! Very fun! Followed by a yummy breakfast overlooking Lake Tyler! (can't wait to eat some of the yummy bacon again!)

This is "Moes"...we got to spend time with her every morning at our family devo! Kinsey couldn't wait to see her each morning. She was a joy to get to know, and we are sad to not get to see her again this year. 

Playground fun!

Kinsey loved getting to watch her daddy play in the "Dad's vs. Staff" basketball game!

 Our cabin...and the wonderful view from our porch.

Kinsey and one of her favorite counselors, "Dance Pants"! So excited to get to see her again this year!

Getting to spend such a great week with some amazing friends made it even better! Looking forward to enjoying family camp with the Werleys again this year!

There are so many wonderful things we experienced last year, and it is a joy to look back at how the Lord grew our family that week and in this past year. So excited and blessed to have the opportunity to go back. This year's pictures coming soon!

A Day at the Beach

We spent the weekend in Houston visiting the Werleys and had a super-fun Saturday at the beach in Galveston. What made it so special to our family was that it was Kinsey and Dax's first time to dip their little toes into the ocean!  :-)

 The Helm family's first ever beach photo!

It was very obvious that I was a novice at this whole thing, seeing as I waited to put sunscreen on everyone until we were down by the water. I will definitely remember next time that sand and sunscreen mixed makes for difficult application! By the grace of God, we managed to have no sunburns!  :-)

  These two girls were delighted to spend the day together. Whenever they are together they're inseparable! What's better than spending the day at the beach? Getting to be there with your best buddy! (and have matching swimsuits!)

 And mommies agree...

We enjoyed getting to spend such a fun day with such sweet friends! :-)

Dax enjoyed the first hour or so...

Then got tired (and sad), so daddy took him on a car ride for nap time. Worked like a charm, and when he woke up he was ready for some waves!

 Getting to play on the sand hill and feed seagulls was another wonderful treat. The kiddos loved throwing bread up into the air for the birds to swoop in and eat, and I am fully convinced that I will never be too old to enjoy it myself!

I love how our kids remind us to slow down and be in awe of all the wonders God has made (nothing is too simple)...thanks for showing me this Kinsey! Let's slow down more often!

Before this day, it had been 7 years since my handsome hubby and I stood on a beach together. We should definitely do this more often!    :-)

Such a fun memory! We can't wait to go back! 

Thank you, Werleys, for moving an hour away from the beach!  ;-)

Daddies, Pepaws, Grandpas, and Pops

Father's Day 2011

What a wonderful time we had this year celebrating the fathers in our family!

I am so thankful for my amazing husband. He is the most wonderful father to our kiddos, and I can't help but smile every time I see the three of them together. It is a joy watching them grow close, and a delight to see him lead them. Happy Father's Day, Love...another reason I think you're such a great dad is because of how you love me. You are an incredible example for our children of what a godly husband is!

 Happy Father's Day to my Daddy or as Kinsey and Dax call him...Pepaw!


I don't have many pictures of my daddy and me as an adult, so this one is special! I love how the Lord is growing our relationship. It makes me smile to look at this and see how much I look like my daddy.

 

The kiddos love how much Pepaw likes to play! I don't think there are any slides he wouldn't be happy to conquer for his grandkiddos!  :-)

Happy Father's Day to my Father-in-law, or to Kinsey and Dax...Grandpa!!
(actually...to Dax right now, it's "Pam-pa"!)

Happy Father's Day to Pop!!

What a joy to know and love this man! He brightens our day every time we are with him!



Kinsey was so excited to give Pop the card she made him. She was even happier to see his reaction! He loved it!  :-)



Showing him her new shoes.

Pop's 90th birthday.

Fun at the ranch.


And Happy Father's day to my Papa...who has enjoyed the last ten of them with our Father in heaven!


Thank you Jesus for making a way for us, so that we may be called children of God...

Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God--children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
John 1:12-13