Summer is Tramp Memories with Grandpa and Grandma.

Summer is Dutch Oven Chicken and Potatoes.

How hard to realize that every camp of men or beast has this glorious starry firmament for a roof! In such places standing alone on the mountain-top it is easy to realize that whatever special nests we make - leaves and moss like the marmots and birds, or tents or piled stone - we all dwell in a house of one room - the world with the firmament for its roof - and are sailing the celestial spaces without leaving any track.

~John Muir

We made memories with our whole Johnson clan this past weekend...

...basking in the sunset...

...and meeting our newest little niece Colbie.

Everyone was there--Grandpa, Grandma, Megan, Sadie, Jacee and Chad, Holland, Eliza, Nelson, Payton and Melissa, Molly and Chris and Colbie.

{This is Jacee and poor little Nelson who was sick...and Melissa...who is making musical instruments out of grass.}

After a delicious dutch oven dinner, the sun went down and the air grew chilly.  But we warmed ourselves by a fire...

...roasting marshmallows.

I'm not so sure he loved the charcoaly marshmallow.

But Payton did ;)

And then there was Easton...who just wanted to pose and model his marshmallowey mouth.

The End to a beautiful trip to the canyon.

What ICDI is teaching me.

It started a few months back, Tate's independence and insisting on doing everything himself.

In July we termed the condition ICDI {ick-dye}--the acronym for his declarations, "I can do it!!"

Easton never experienced this phase, and why Tate is so independent while at the very same time being so cuddly and affectionate and attached is beyond me.  Perhaps it's a second child syndrome and maybe it's just his little budding personality.  I love it and don't really like it all at the same time, this bittersweet battle always wondering whether I should step in or let him figure it out.

But yesterday when he worked for 25 minutes at threading his sandal straps, I watched and I pondered and I realized that this is all teaching me so many big lessons in such a little way...

I think I know how Heavenly Father must feel when we exhibit the ICDI attitude.  He must be so pleased when we venture out and grow a new trait or overcome a previously insurmountable obstacle.  And perhaps even more pleased when we encounter a hurdle that we recognize we can clear...with a little instruction and coaching from Him.  We go to Him after working and failing and struggling and ask for His wisdom, His guidance, His help, His tutoring.  And does He not rejoice to teach us and show us how to clear the hurdle?  This is the sweet.

But what of the times when, rather childishly, we insist on doing things all by ourselves, relying on the arm of the flesh for answers, solutions, or ideas, instead of upon Him?  Does He not yearn to cradle us and teach us?  Does His heart not swell with love for us and wish we would run to Him for comfort and direction?  This must be the bitter.  But He is all-wise and though omnipotent, He lets us choose whether or not to accept or even ask for His help.  He knows that in the frustration of ICDI we can learn WCDI {we can do it} as we come to Him for deliverance.

 And thus, I am learning that when Tate steers in this stubborn, non-teachable direction and I want to rush in to his aid, it is far better to let him struggle and work a bit on his own.  Sometimes he figures it out, but more often than not, the frustration brings him to tearfully plead for my help.

And then there are the other times like yesterday's sandal straps when just before he gives up, I go to him and whisper, "Tate, would you like me to help you?"

It sounds all too familiar...an echo of a still, small voice I've heard before in my own heart.

What issues, what hurdles, what obstacles are you facing right now?

Are you facing them all on your own?

Are you seeking aid from the arm of the flesh?

Do you think there is anything too small or too large to take to the Lord?

Listen to your heart.  Listen for the Spirit whispering the beckoning words:

"My daughter, {my son}, would you like me to help you?"

And then find the childlike, teachable courage to say "yes."

Summer is Water Play and Great Big Homemade Snickerdoodles.

Why I can never get them both to smile is beyond me.

Easton sported his life jacket around all week anticipating the day when he would get to wear it.  And to everyone he spoke with on the phone he had to announce first thing that he had a new life jacket.

Patrick's Olympic spin out of the slide

Learning to swim with Nana

A bit apprehensive of this slide at the beginning, as soon as I reminded him that he had been on it 50 times last year, Easton must have topped his record by at least 100.

A few basketball games ensued.

Was this number 97?

Now for the picnic and "Great Big Cookies" as Tate would say.

It was a Tater moment such as this last year that inspired Nana to make these delectables again this year.

Goodbye sweet afternoon.