Simply Craig

You can always count on giggles, squeals, squirms, and plenty of laughter when Mr. B.T.C. is tucking the girls in for the night. Apparently, “tucking in” at our house involves a few tickles, being tossed over Daddy’s shoulder, and eventually...somehow...ending up under the covers. I’m not sure how much settling down actually happens during Daddy’s bedtime ritual. But judging by those smiles, I’m pretty sure the girls wouldn’t have it any other way. I love this man. I treasure watching him  BE  a daddy. Maybe that’s why I find myself reaching for my camera during ordinary moments like this. I want to capture them so I never forget. The squeals. The laughter. The way they look at their daddy. Something tells me our favorite giggle-maker will keep those giggles coming for years to come.  

As we gathered around the ottoman for family prayer last night (our usual spot for prayers, talking, and often lingering together long after prayer was over) our twelve year old son announced, “I have a confession.” He hung his head low and quietly admitted, “I got my name on the board...and two checks today.” The usual chatter disappeared. All eyes turned to Mr. B.T.C. as he gave Dawson the chance to explain himself. Dawson began sharing the details of exactly how his name (and those two little checks) ended up on the board. I tried my darndest to swallow my giggle and concentrate on being the mature, concerned parent. I couldn’t. Neither could anyone else. Before long, the entire family had burst into laughter. You could almost see the worry disappear from Dawson’s face as he realized his confession had become the entertainment for the evening. He was off the hook this time. Only because our little class clown had us laughing too hard to do anything about it. Something tells me those...

Just a few little friends gathered around the kitchen counter and a mama giving baking lessons. We measured, mixed, rolled, baked—and, of course, sampled a little chocolate along the way. There’s something sweet about a kitchen full of little girls learning how to bake together. Lots of tiny hands, smiling faces, and everyone waiting patiently for their turn. Although I’m pretty sure the best lesson of the day was discovering that nearly everything tastes better with a little chocolate on top. Friends + chocolate. It’s a pretty good combination.

We spent part of Labor Day weekend at the Marriott’s Desert Ridge, where the snake and reptile exhibit quickly became a hit with the kids. As you can see, our little Dawson wasn’t the least bit intimidated by the size or the looks of these creatures. The girls even warmed up to the critters. Me? Not so much. I was perfectly content experiencing the whole thing from behind my camera. That is, until one of those creepy crawlers stretched out its enormously long, slithering tongue and touched my leg while I was busy snapping pictures. That was a little closer to nature than I had planned. I realize there are reptile lovers out there, but clearly I’m not one of ’em! The kids, however, thought the whole thing was pretty great. And judging by Dawson getting right down on the floor beside that enormous snake, I think we know which side of the reptile debate he’s on.

When Britley is around, it’s like having a little bit of heaven right in our very own home. She is that special. There is such a sweetness about this little girl. She has a tender heart, loves others so naturally, and has a way of making our home a happier place simply by being in it. Seven years with our Britley and somehow those big blue eyes still get us every time. Happy 7th Birthday, Brit! We love you! 

Saturday afternoon we headed to Saguaro Lake and spent hours out on the water playing and enjoying some family time together. The kids were especially excited to try wakesurfing for the first time. There were plenty of attempts, plenty of falls, and plenty of laughs. The girls gave it a try with Dad right there helping them along, while the older boys took their turns behind the boat. I love watching the kids try something new...especially when we're all together cheering each other on. Dawson was a hoot! He kept us laughing as he attempted to entertain everyone while figuring out this whole wakesurfing thing. Apparently learning to surf wasn't enough—he needed to put on a show while doing it.  As the afternoon went on, the clouds began rolling in and the wind started to pick up, so we decided it was probably time to wrap things up. Thankfully, my sister had remembered to bring her camera. I was able to capture some fun shots of everyone on the water and a few of the beautiful ...