Summer Camping

It is summer time (finally here in WA) again and the kids having been looking forward to a number of fun things that we have planned over the next few months. One of the things that they look forward to the most is our annual trip to Banks Lake. Banks Lake is located in eastern WA where there is always plenty of sun and fun! We head over there with about 100 or so good friends and create a "tent city" in a giant campsite and then proceed to have a great time here are just a few of the pics!!

Here is Landon playing on the monkey bars at the campsite.

Max played the role of the headless baby whenever we took him out in the boat! The good news was he didn't get sunburned on his face!!

Kaylee is rapidly becoming our adventerous one, here she is water skiing around the lake and having a great time!!

Jacob is really getting into fishing these days, he woke up early almost every morning we were there to head over to the docks with his buddies and go fishing. He was the only one of his friends to catch a fish. He is getting to where he can even take the hook out of the fish and release it back into to the lake on his own.

Jen and Kaylee making smores, a favorite activity for our kids.

Landon was determined to show me that he could man the kayak by himself. He had been watching many of the older kids paddle around the lake and he felt that he was more than capable and no matter how much I tried to help or even just ride in the boat I was promptly told, "No daddy, Ladon do it! Go away!" Even though at times it can be a little frustrating you have to admire his independence and fearlessness!

Just relaxing most of the time.


Obviously we had a great time and more importantly the kids are already talking about how excited they are to go again next year!

How Long?

I just thought that it has been a long time since anyone posted anything on the family blog and an even longer time since I posted anything. In fact I think that that last thing that I posted may have been the reason that I was asked by many in the family not to post again (see photo)...well that ban is over and I am posting again.

My quesiton is how long will it take for someone to notice? Does anyone ever check this blog or is everything just about facebook? Will I be able to get a reponse from any of my brothers?

So once again I ask how long?

P.S. - What is is more dramatic my "stache" or Jen's "AF bangs"?

For Josh, Jen, Lauren, & Patrick-& their clans..

We MISSED YOU in UTAH!!

When you aren't around, this is what happens...

**more pics to come**

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to all you Carvers across the country! You were all missed & we hope you post your Halloween pics soon so we can see your cute kids!

Here are some of the fun moments from the Utah Halloween..

Alex's Pirate Birthday Bash!!

PJ and Lorena, also known as the best parents in the world, set the bar really high with this birthday party for Alex! Everyone had a great time!



Here is the birthday boy with his Pirate Daddy. Alex was a little bit overwhelmed at first, but didn't take long to get into it.



Pirate PJ was welcoming the kids and explaining to them that in order to become a pirate like him, they had to walk the plank!!



Pirate PJ demonstrating the art of walking the plank!



Logan taking his turn.



Joshua



Dylan- The most adorable pirate at the party!



All of the children passed the initiation and were allowed to become pirates!





Next they had to throw huge gold coins into a treasure box in order to receive a chocolate gold coin from Pirate PJ's coin satchel.



Aubrie



Justin



Caleb



Caitlyn



Logan



Then we all had pizza! YUM!



Then all the kids went on a treasure hunt around the neighborhood.



Wouldn't you know, the treasure was back at the clubhouse all along! Pirate PJ helped to carry the bounty.



In the box was a mini treasure box for each of the kids.



This is Pirate Alex, the birthday boy! Soooo cute!



Then, the kids each had a turn taking a whack at the treasure pinata! This is Ellie putting more thought than muscle into it.



Logan



Watch out! They gave the big stick to Joshua and he wasn't holding anything back!



Caitlyn



Caleb. It looks like a light saber, it's moving so fast!



And then Aubrie finished off the pinata with her big muscles!



And then the hordes descended on the loot!



Pirate Alex waiting patiently to blow out the candles on his pirate cupcake tower made by his Mom and Grandma Carver.



Pirate Alex opening his presents and loving every minute of it! What a cute pirate! We all had a wonderful time! Thanks to PJ and Lorena for a great day and Happy Birthday Alex! We are all hoping our children quickly forget what fun it was, so the expectation will not be so high for the rest of us! :)