Carlsbad Sate Beach--Camping Trip

Are you sick of camping posts yet? Sorry. Just skip this one and come back tomorrow.

Or, take a look at these pictures with me.

Memories we are building together--these are precious days.

Sometimes I am consumed with a desire to stop the clock. James will be six on Friday. I can't help but think that in twelve more years he will be off to make his mark in the world. It isn't very long. It's why I am so passionate about keeping my kids home with me. It is for such a short time. It doesn't always seem that way, but when I look back to that most amazing of days, I know it is true. Time is flying.

And so this camping trip, those moments we had to stop doing everything else and just be together, is precious to me. It motivates me to make more of these moments, whatever they may be.

It means we take the "crazy road" every time because the kids love it when I go fast over the bumps. Even if it's a little bit out of our way.

It means I say yes, when they ask me to push them on the swing.

It means we go on hikes together as often as possible and stop when they want to throw rocks or look at a bug or climb a tree.

It means dreaming together. Of climbing the Eiffel Tower, seeing the Grand Canyon, or riding bumper boats.

It means being together as much as we can because the days are short.

And oh how I will miss them when they are gone.

Setting up camp

Helping Daddy build the tent

This makes me want to stop

time

So does this

My heart aches with love for these gifts

Breakfast at Pannikin

Aaron and I went there when we were dating

And look at us now!

Little friends joined us

Camping hair

Camping everything

James overcoming his fear of the waves

He got washed under and came out OK

Lilly's turn!

Her favorite phrase right now

She's not afraid of anything, that girl

William understands the meaning of

relaxing on the beach

Toes--enough said

This tree was a spy base, a ninja hideout, a pirate hideout, a rebel base

and probably other things I don't even know about

I love it when my man has a chance to relax

I love it when my girl steals her brother's beanie

William's turn!

He decided to brave the icy water on day 2

Then he came back to me

I love it when he wears his Daddy's hat

O boy, o boy how I do love him

Lilly and Daddy took out the skateboard

Granny and Dziadzi, Auntie Kristen and Jack all came to visit

The sunsets were beautiful

Of course we had to have bacon for breakfast

That hat made the rounds

(PS how sad this is the only picture of me.

If you ever see me with my kids, will you please take a picture of me.)

One last skateboard run

Uncle B came just in time to help us pack up

So did Nana and Papa

Thanks guys!

And so, I urge you, yes urge you, to make making memories a priority. There are a million different ways to do it. It just takes a little more time, a little more effort, a little more thought.

But it is so worth it.

Because before you know it, your baby will be 6, then 10 then 20.

From one of my favorite poems by Andrew Marvell

But at my back I always hear

Time's winged chariot hurrying near.

And now like amorous birds of prey

Rather at once our time devour,

Than languish in his slow-chapp'd power

Let us roll all our strength, and all

Our sweetness, up into one ball:

And tear pleasures with rough strife

Through the iron gates of life.

Thus, though we cannot make our sun

Stand still, yet we will make him run.

Love from,

Greta