backyard camping

Rory left this invitation out for us last Thursday for some weekend camping in our backyard. It ended up being too chilly for us to actually camp outside, so we just set the tent up in the living room for play on Saturday. But then Sunday the weather warmed up enough so we could play outside. Truth be told, I'm not sure we were ever going to make it past bedtime out in the tent with a one and two year old...

The chickens were very curious and we loved watching them out every window as they clucked by. I enjoyed the view laying on my back the most. (any activity in mothering that lets me lay down for a bit seems to be a personal favorite...)

Last year Elsie was still inside of me for our backyard camping trip. She seemed pleased to be a part of the fun on the outside this year and we loved her addition of baby dolls into our tent.

elsie loves the water

elsie waves from Becca Groves on Vimeo.

There is still much to write about Mount Carmel, but until then I'll leave you with this sweet video of Elsie loving the water. She went nuts at the ocean and loved the waves above at Mount Carmel and just yesterday we were at Lake Nikomis and she crawled in the water unaware that it would get deeper. Each time she'd get to her chin in water and then cough a little bit, not making the connection that it was her own crawling that was putting the water in her mouth. She seemed determined to crawl across the lake to the other side, if only that water wouldn't fill her mouth.

We've had a great week back at the grovestead. Vacation is awesome and homecomings are even more awesome. We're slowly getting back into our community here and Rory has been working hard in the garden (cucumbers and sweet peas are abundant!). I'm trying to take lots of pictures for some posts for next week.

Have a great weekend!

the prayer chapel

We had a sweet service in the Prayer Chapel the first night we were at Mount Carmel. Mara recited John 3:16, Toby talked about what those words really mean for us and Sonna led us in song. I loved being a part of that moment with my nieces and nephews since that was always a part of my time at Mount Carmel with my own cousins. (That's me below with the pink sweatshirt tied around my middle...)

mount carmel 2013

A week ago we left for Family Bible Camp up at Mount Carmel in Alexandria, Minnesota. It was a precious time surrounded by both of my families: the Groves and the Harringtons. 

Sara and Troy gave a fantastic concert on Wednesday night and at one point Sara sang these words:

It sort of knocked the wind out of me because in that moment I was living out those lyrics. Of course, we weren't all there (we were missing Kyle and Lisa's and Mat and Stephanie's) but my kids had both sets of their grandparents at Bible camp with them. An awesome moment for me. I grew up with both sets of my grandparents at Mount Carmel and here were my kids, one generation later, living in the same richness of family and faith and Jesus and his goodness.

Somewhere I have a picture of me with my four grandparents at Mount Carmel. I am eager to get these pictures in a side by side frame.

The mini week was good. It was so good to be together. And Sara and Troy's teaching was deep and meaty and gave me so much to think about. The summer staff was awesome and alive and the weather was perfect for playing in the lake. A blessed time for sure, and an awesome moment in my life.

(You can listen to the whole song, Every Minute, by clicking here.) 

Dear Elsie: one year old

Elsie. You are joy to me. You are delightful and strong-willed and beautiful. You are funny and attached and adorable in a bow. You are my sweet baby girl and you just turned one.

We got to celebrate your birthday up at Mount Carmel with a whole lot of both sides of the families gathered to celebrate the big day. You slept through lunch, but we got you up for cake.

You are sort of a new girl to me lately. Always looking to catch my eye. Ready to flash me your teeth with a big smile. You love music and dancing. If I start to sing, you immediately begins to bob. You let us know when you don't like a new food. I liken it to a slow moving conveyor belt in reverse. The food just slowly starts moving back out of your mouth via your tongue. It's entertaining to me every time.

Today you pieced your first two words together. We were finishing lunch after church and I told you that it was time for a nap. As I picked you up, you waved to your dad and said, "Na Na, Ada." Which obviously translates to "night, night, Da da."

You love playing in the water: at the ocean, in lake carlos and at bath time. You also seem to really like your bedtime routine, locking eyes with me as you drink your bottle, lifting your little foot up to my chin and giggling when I try to kiss it.  As soon as you have burped you try to crawl out of my arms into your crib. You love your sleep and rarely put up a fight anymore.

You are so well loved.  Happy Birthday sweet girl.