The Nichols Overnight Campout

Once a year as a family we get together for an camp out on the back of our 55 acres. Events of the day normally include swimming, enjoying a delicious supper, play time outside, then back to the woods where we camp, ride the Rhino (4 X 4 utility) enjoy a fire with s'mores, and end the evening with fireworks over an open field out back. Then to bed everyone goes....hopefully sleeps....then on Saturday morning we enjoy a big breakfast.....which had to be inside this year due to rain. After breakfast it's just relaxing and visiting until lunch.....when we indulge ourselves again.....have more outdoor playtime....then pack up to go our separate ways. As the kids get older, we are hoping to turn this into two nights of camping....but right now...with seven children under the age of 5....this is the best schedule! We had lots of laugh and really enjoyed our time together. Ken and I feel very blessed that we can spend this time with our sons and their families.....these are memories to cherish the rest of our lives.

To see last year's campout click here: http://kenandjudynichols.blogspot.com/2007/06/pool-time-and-camping-out-back-we-truly.html

The family time in the pool

I was the official photographer for the day...

so I didn't venture into the water

Seth and Emily

Jason and Annabelle

Uncle Joel piggy-backing Isaac
Isaac, Kurt, and Andrew

Aunt Heidi and Annabelle

Kurt and Heidi


Andrew lounging around

Grandpa and Seth having a battle of the water gun and net

The twins in their swimsuits

Kurt and Rachelle "pouty faces"

Jason and Annabelle

Isaac and Seth......warming up....the pool was warmer

than sitting out in the breeze.

Our feast.....we never seem to lack for good food.

Our dogs drooling over Ken's barbecued ribs

Jason and Joel shooting hoops

Isaac taking Jonny for a ride on the Gator

Jason, Seth, and Annabelle after supper

Isaac

Uncle Joel and Jonny after supper

Seth and Rachelle just before we went to the back of the property

Uncle Joel playing Frisbee with the boys

Heidi and I, Isaac and Jonny

Seth and Andrew relaxing

Andrew running around the campsite

Our camp site included two tents and a trailer.

Kurt and Heidi and kids all slept in their new family

tent. Jason and Em opted for the trailer.....Joel used his tent...

and Ken and I slept at the "Nichols Bed and Breakfast" (our house)

Kurt and Heidi handing out glow rings for all of us.

If it would have been completely dark we would have

looked like aliens landing. Even Ken had two glow bands around his head!!

Big boys and their sparklers
Aunt Emily and Kirsten snuggled by the fire

Jonny and Andrew watching Grandpa's fireworks

Jason and Emily enjoying the fireworks
A parting picture of Friday night

Saturday morning the boys all got a bath....

yikes the water was murky when they were done!!

It's a good thing we have a big tub...they won't all fit in it much longer.

Heidi reading to Andrew....while Jonny is fast asleep on the couch,

and the girls are just rolling around!

Jonny was the last child to bed on Friday night....11:30 p.m.

Here are some parting shots of the grand kids for the day before everyone went home.

I've included the b-days and year for fun!

Isaac 10/09/03

Andrew 01/12/05

Seth 07/28/05

Jonny 10/30/ 06

Annabelle 03/29/07 Rachelle and Kirsten 12/24/07

Don't Miss The Moment!!

I've been meaning to post this thought all week....but finally got to it tonight!
Last Sunday after church Jason and Emily came over with the kids, we had a quick lunch, then all three children layed down for a nap. Shortly after Isaac got settled in, Emily came out and said that Isaac asked if Grandma could lay by him for a while and scratch his back. Of course, I obliged immediately....and soon found myself snuggled under a blanket face to face with our almost "5" year old grandson. Isaac said, "Grandma, could you please scratch my back like before?" I said, "sure......but Grandma's fingers are a little stiff so it may not be the same as before." Isaac said "that's okay....last year your fingers were different, but you can still scratch my back." So there we snuggled, Grandma scratching Isaac's back...up here, then down here, then over here....until his little voice said, "thank you that's enough". Content as a warm kitten, I turned over, facing the other way....and Isaac said "now I'll scratch your back Grandma." I'll tell you.........right there and then if I could have purred I would have.

After a few minutes of just laying quietly I said to Isaac, "Grandma's got to go to the bathroom but I'll be right back." Without hesitation Isaac said "number one or number two?" Quite surprised I responded "number one, why do you ask?" and with a "matter of fact" answer Isaac said...."because number two takes longer". I burst into laughter.....left the room for a moment and returned! When I returned to Isaac and settled myself again, Isaac looked me straight in the eyes and said "I pray to God every day Grandma". My eyes welled up with tears as I listened to the earnestness in his voice....witnessed the faith of a little child....and knew that he was coming before our almighty God every day. I asked him what he prayed about and he said "Oh lots of things", " and sometimes for the animals".......then he just grinned, and so did I, then off to nap we went. Later Emily told me that the the kids pray for me every night What a privilege it is to come to the Lord in prayer......and what a privilege it is to see your children and grandchildren trust in God completely.

Next time you are asked to sit down, or lay down to listen to these precious ones in your life.....don't miss the moment.....you'll be forever blessed!!

What a Fun Weekend!!!

This was a dessert that Sarah and Abigail made

and brought to our house on Saturday

Friday, July 4th

We went to Onekama on the 4th of July and visited my parents and sister and brother-in-law. Although I didn't take any pictures (unbelievable!!!) a great time was had by all....and we enjoyed this precious time together.

Saturday, July 5th

Ken has been building a new set of steps to get up to the

pool.....I call them "user friendly" because they will be easier for me to

step up on when I go to the pool. He will be adding rails and a latched gait.

Here's some pics of Ken and Jason working on Saturday.

One of the things I am grateful for is that Ken taught his sons

many practical skills while they were growing up. The guys have

always enjoyed working on home projects together such as ourbarn,

Ken's grill pit, Kurt's roof, Jason's house, the round pen...just to name a few.

I'm sure our daughter-in-laws also appreciate these skills and abilities.....

it will save on many service calls i the years to come.

Annabele and Isaac tried on Grandpa's Cool sunglasses

The kids gave me stickers for my shirt....

lots of stickers





Pool time

Emily,Annabelle, Sarah, and Mike

Kids chowin' down

My sister Linda and brother-in-law Don stopped

at our house on their way back to Shepherd.

Annabelle warmed right up to Linda!

Sunday July 6th

This morning when we got to church Jim Morris, our choir director asked me if I would like to direct the choir anthem. Well....after I picked up my jaw from the floor...I happily agreed even though I had never seen the music before...and I haven't directed anything since last October.

And on a side note.....I don't think I have ever perspired so much directing in my life.

But Oh the joy I felt........."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".

And in addition I played a piano duet with Mark Britton for offertory. Even with a few fingers....I still feel I can serve the Lord in this ministry of music....and today....I was "pain free'!! PTL.

But perhaps one of the most memorable moments of the day was after the service when a young couple approached me after the service.....and low and behold it was Bruce and Paula DuVall from Grand Rapids. Bruce and Paula were former students of mine in Cadillac...and actually were in one of my Jr. high Musicals. anyway...they have been writing to me and praying for me for the past several weeks and they have been a true encouragement. So...to see them again face to face was a great thrill!!!! Thanks for visiting Rollins Bruce and Paula....you both look great...and our reunion truly took me back in time! I also was able to see Deb Morgan...another sister in Christ and pray warrior who was visiting this weekend.

Tonight Ken fixed a little campfire and we enjoyed "s'more" time with Joel.

Our dogs were pretty intent on getting a little nibble if they had the chance!

Look at those begging eyes

Joel likes his marshmallows burned

Ahhhhh....now that's the way to fix a marshmallow

This is one "comfy....and spoiled" horse!!!!

I'm not sure if you all knew that we ended up keeping one of our horses....after saying good-bye to two others, and selling the horse trailer. anyway....we kept "Molly".....formally known as "Coin's Limited Edition", an 8 year old registered Tennessee Walking Horse. Even though I can't ride her, I still can go out and brush her and spend time doing horsey stuff!
Here's the spoiled part.......just recently Ken started putting Molly in the back pasture to graze during the day. She has a huge pasture to herself and just grazes all day. Well, at night around 7:00 p.m. Molly comes to the gate with the "I'm ready to go back to the barn" look. so Kenny walks down to the back pasture....hooks on the lead and walks her up to the barn and front pasture. So tonight I took some pics of the "walk". Oh by the way....she is sporting a "fly bonnet" which keeps the flys out of her ears and away from her face!!

Ken and Molly

I took this so you could see how molly's tail drags the ground!

sheis a very sweet horse...and will be enjoyed for many years to come!

Thank you Ken for "spoiling" her!

Visit to Kurt and Heidi's

Ken and I went to Jenison today to see Kurt, Heidi, and the kids.

While we there we had quite the weather system come through.

Everything from torrential rain, thunder, lightening, heavy winds, and hail.

We didn't leave until later.....between down pours....and still ran

into flooded streets and downed trees on the way out.

We had a wonderful time......and are looking forward to our

"family camping weekend" next week.

Grandma and Kirsten.....looks like mutual admiration!

Kirsten......enjoying the play pad

Despite getting their six months shots today....the girls still

had beautiful smiles in them!!

Rachelle.....smiling for the camera

I read "the Pokey Little Puppy" to Andrew.

You'd think by now I would have that story memorized!

Ken made a lemon meringue pie.....yum!!

Jonny held on to Ken's hand while we had pie

Andrew loved Ken's pie....in fact, we all had seconds!!!

and I think Grandpa had thirds!!!!

Grandma cuddling Jonny

Jonny got real close to the camera

Tickle time.....Kurt, Andrew, Heidi


And...............Tummy buzz!!!!!