Chalkfest, August 2009

Justine participated in Chalkfest this year as an artist. Chalkfest is when local artists gather in Wilson Park and draw their art all over the sidewalks for people to enjoy. They are also judged and reviewed. There is music, and all sorts of stuff going on throughout the day. Start one in your city!

I know, I know, I haven't written anything for over a month. I was swamped with finals and getting some painting done on the house, both of which are now done!

Check out her art below...

More Marley!

Here are few pictures of Marley - she is growing so fast! She is 3 months old already. And this is pretty much how she is all the time. A very happy and content baby, her mother is sooooo lucky!

Camping in Door County

For the 4th of July this year, we returned to our tradition of camping in Bailey's Harbor which is on the peninsula of North Eastern Wisconsin. It is beautiful up there, surrounded by the Great Lakes. We used to do this every year when we first moved here, but have done other family activities over the 4th for the last few years. We changed to a new site, it was huge! Skott and Jodi came with us also and we all had a great time. We got a new tent this year, it is kinda big, 9x13, and 80 inches tall so I can actually stand up in it!! That is why I bought it! We also got a new air mattress, so we were camping in style! The camp ground is awesome, a nice pool, playground, free popcorn and tv in the game room, nice bathrooms and showers! We already made our reservations for next year! There is a big parade, craft show, music, food, all that fun stuff to on the 4th.

Here is a picture of our campsite, there were 4 tents for 9 people. It has a lot of trees, and parking for our 4 cars! We have the same spot next year.

Marley went with us to, it was her first camping trip and she did really well. She loved to look at the trees and especially the fire! She was mesmerized by it!

A picture of the kids just before the parade started, it draws a huge crowd.

This is Kenalee licking Jodi's dirty foot for $1.00!

Camp Phillips - Part 2

Here are a few more pictures of Boy Scout camp.

One of the many knots they learned...

The cabins we get, they are pretty nice, the "windows" open to!

This is a plane crash site they use for survival training. It is an actual crash, they just relocated it to the camp.

A map that shows the camp and its many lakes!

Camp Phillips - Part 1

Last week we spent 5 nights and 6 days at Camp Phillips Boy Scout camp for Max's summer camp. It was a lot of fun and we did not get any rain!!! He earned almost two full rank advancements, 2nd and 1st Class Scout, we just have a few things to finish up. He also earned his Reptile merit badge and Mammal Study merit badge. There were about 250 scouts camp wide, with 33 of them just from our Troop. With the 7 adults that attended we had 40 people at camp. It was fun, noisy, active and a great learning experience for the boys. Oh and lots of fishing to as there are 4 lakes at camp. (Part 2 will have a few more pictures.)

Max at "Fort Knots", a group of platforms made entirely of knots!

Four-way tug of war.

Getting ready for the 5 mile hike. Gunder, Max and Sam

Getting their awards for the 5 mile hike. Sam, Gunder and Max

4 Generations

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Childs came for a visit from Utah to see their first great grandchild. It was a quick visit, but a great time. We also had the opportunity to have Marley blessed in Church on Sunday. Justine's dad and her sister Carrie were also able to come to the blessing.

Top - Pat Childs, Jim Childs

Bottom - Nikki Childs, Marley Rae Larsen, Kelly Childs

Great grandparents enjoying some time on the porch with Marley.

Getting their first look at Marley.

A close up of Marley. She is changing soooooo fast!!

Memorial Day!

We had a great Memorial Day this year, the weather was great! A little windy, but sunny and 70!! Started out with the parade, the grillin' out with some friends, which of course we ate way too much. And to finish off the day, makin smores in the backyard.

This is the Gold Star Mother's. They have lost sons in war. They toss a wreath off of the Veteran's bridge, it is quite moving. 

Max marched in the parade with the Scouts. 

Justine, Max, Kelly at the end of the parade.

Erika and Max - makin' smores in the backyard!