Let's Camp

Two weekends in a row we have been living in our home away from home. 

The camper. 

It's been opened up, aired out, and put back to it's homey self. 

While camping we get our share of fresh air. 

 We do tons of exploring, geocaching, and hiking.  

Off the beaten path beauty makes me giddy.  

The kids are getting better and better with hiking every time we go out. 

Lil Miss' legs are getting strong enough that we can get about 1 1/2 miles

before she begs to be carried.   

We finally pulled the backpack out of the camper because neither Nate or I's backs 

can handle carrying her in that anymore.  She is on her own.

Time to keep up with the big boys.  

Last weekend we were bundled up with stocking caps, gloves, and sweatshirts the entire weekend.  

This weekend we were sweating in tank tops and shorts.  

Neither weather environment ruined our trip, we made the most out of sunny skies! 

 {our crew} 

 Breakfast, lunch, and dinner under the canopy of oak trees... I'm not complaining. 

 We camped at a place about 40 minutes away. 

Johnson- Sauk Trail Park. 

They have a beautiful round red barn for tours.  

This park is where we took the camper the very first time we took it out.  

 {throw back to 2 years ago-- 2012}

One of the few times we have actually frequented a campground that we have all ready been.  

Both Nate and I like to explore new places so unless the place is awesome we tend to 

try new places to camp. This place is pretty scenic and beautiful. 

 {the girls and I -- hunting treasure aka. geocaching}

We drove home last week from camping with the kids tuckered out.  

Lil Miss and Archie lasted 10 minutes before they were snoozing. 

 During the week, we have been busy every night.  

The last bit of school before summer break seems to be filled with lots of activities.  

For the first time all year, the kids have been up past their bedtime twice.  

We run a pretty strict bedtime ritual during the week, but mommy seems to be loosening up!  LOL

On Monday night, the Quad City Moms Blog held a family night at our local baseball 

minor league baseball stadium and the kids enjoyed every minute.  

 When I have had time in the mornings, we have been tending to the garden. 

Lots of weeding, watering, and cutting flowers for the table.  

As of this morning everything has popped out of the ground.  

We have: tomatoes, peppers, snap peas, kohlrabi, lettuce, radishes, 

zucchini, pumpkins, cantaloupe, carrots, and watermelon.  

More on that in another post. 

  {baby zucchini plants like all the love we are giving them} 

When we aren't busy with activities, our house is the hub of neighborhood.  

I am not complaining.  I would much rather have other kids at our house, than 

my kids running around the neighborhood.  

I keep my freezer stocked with popsicles for all the extra mouths! 

By Friday, we were back at the campground this time with shorts packed.  

On Saturday we took a drive and were playing at a park when a ice cream truck drove by.  

It had bubbles blowing out the back of the truck... how cute is that! 

The kids didn't have to do much convincing to talk Daddy into buying.   

 We ate our ice cream treats while watching the big boats on the Illinois River.  

 We started this morning on a LEGO camper kit.  

We have a pretty good start on it.  The kids took turns putting 

parts of it together.  Lil Miss played with the little canoe and people that came with.

Nothing to exciting but we had a good time. 

Gigi said it best when she scribbled this on the driveway while we were emptying the camper.  

"I love caping"  Camping... but you get the idea. 

3 weeks until our next camping adventure.  

Love is all I Need

I am feeling utterly blessed.  

After this wonderful weekend/week, I am feel like the belle of the ball. 

Nate and the kids have spoiled me all week.  

I have gotten hand written notes all week and a special gift everyday for the last week. 

Nate has reminded me (about a dozen times) that he has out done himself, so I will 

not have high expectations next year.  Okay, Honey? 

But I felt the love this week.  

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous too, so who doesn't love that? 

Lil Miss and I have been spending our days buying flowers for the yard 

and vegetables for the garden. 

Everything is in full bloom around here.  

With such a bad cold winter, I was wondering if all my plants 

would make it and it looks like sadly I lost a pear tree in the back yard. 

Oh well, off to the nursery to replace it! 

"Mom, get that one and that one and that one!"

{windowbox in progress}

We have gotten in a routine, Lil Miss and me, on watering the pots in the

morning after the kids go to school.  

Sometime watering is dangerous work, so we make sure to wear safety gear!  LOL

The garden has bloomed and we have sprouts peeking through the soil.  

Even our meals have gotten fresher and spring-ier.  Yes I just made a word up, 

but what else describes colorful food on our plate that is good for you.  

Oh yeah...... Vegetables.  

The kids have started full board into spring sports.  

We spend many nights at baseball games, volleyball games, 

and now track practice. 

{father and son]

For the weekend, I got to call the shots.  

The world was my oyster, and I would like to think I wasn't that demanding. 

I requested a picnic outside under the crabapple tree, hiking, exploring nature and 

a Habeneros.  I would like to say I was pretty easy to please. 

{the making of flower crowns}

Flower crowns... even for the boy! 

Since Rosie has started running track, I have promised her
that we would start running together.  On Saturday we
got our first run in.  I am totally in awe of my girl.
1.28 miles in and she wasn't breaking a sweat.
Double the mileage next time.

On Sunday, I woke up to breakfast cooked by my favorite people.
I won't lie, Nate's breakfasts are my favorite!
He wows me with his concoctions of delicious breakfast food.
Mother's day morning he did not disappoint.
Strawberry Confetti Pancakes... Yum!

My "day" was perfect with no where to really be. 

We went out and hiked a park near by and discovered new areas so close to our house.  

Nature so intrigues me!

The ones who call me Mom.  

 

I became a mom almost five years ago, and no one 

could have ever described to me how it feels.  It is truely the 

best feeling ever to have someone love you so.  

The best part is all the handwritten notes that said why I was the best mom. 

"because you kiss me goodnight"

"because you cook me my favorite meal... mac and cheez"

"There's no one like you"

I love every part of being a mommy.