Camping at Shaver with the Paris'

I wonder where we are supposed to turn to go to our campsite...hmmm. We went by this sign that reads "Dorabella" about three times before we realized we had to look on the ground to actually see it. I didn't know we were going to play "Where's Waldo" on our weekend camping trip. Eureka! We found it and got to our campsite with time to set up before Brian and Kylen arrived in the other car...Ashlyn and Julianne put up the tent like pros. We didn't notice the poles were upside down until Brian arrived later that afternoon and walked around the tent turning them around. I am not sure if the tent would have collapsed. Good thing he came to the rescue.

It was wonderful to go camping again with John and Julie, and Bill, Heather, & Will. I am thankful for such an amazing family!

My favorite camping things: to sit by the fire and chat and take in the beauty of the trees and by simply being together without the rush of life around us. Another highlight of our time was hiking to the lake and watching Kylen and Will play in the water and waiting for Ashlyn to fall in the water as she was trying to retrieve a water bottle without getting wet, even though it had floated out onto the lake.

Julianne and Ashlyn in the tent with their cousin Will.

Julianne's face says it all.

Will gets the prize for the dirtiest!

What a special memories!

Firsts and Lasts

I get sentimental as I recount different seasons of life and today is no different. It is the last day of school for Ash, Ky, and Ju. Kylen is about to complete his 8th grade year and is promoted to the high school world. Wow! We now have two college gals, two high schoolers, and one junior higher dwelling within the four walls of the Downs home. I LOVE it! (This is a quick hello because school gets out in 30 minutes and I am going to pick the munchkins up for Clovis North Educational Center and then off to get some lunch as a special treat.)

As for a "first"...I wish I had the video from Charlotte's phone because I have thought about the sweetest interaction between two animals that we witnessed yesterday. (I'm not really an animal person and usually don't get all gooey over them, but this was precious.) Charlie, our orange, long haired cat met his first non human friend. Bella, a golden-retriever/lab came over yesterday and she and Charles became instant best friends. Bella is four times as big as our cat, but they didn't care. Charlie purred the entire time and never got scared of this big puppy dog. They kissed and hugged and wrestled while both of them were intentional about not hurting the other. This went on for a good 15 minutes. Priceless.

Quick side note on what the Lord is impressing in my soul: We are enabled by the Lord's grace and power and FREE to love every person with the Love of Jesus...it is true and our calling in life. Let's believe Him for it. (Galatians)