Go have an adventure! (the rest all lumped together)

I had hoped to break-up our camping adventures because I took so many pictures...but we've already been home over a week and I'm not sure where the days go. So, I'm lumping the rest together in a really, really, really long post.

Eddie enjoyed his morning waffle. He felt honored because he got the 1st one. Being the youngest sure has it's perks!


We attempted a nap, but it was quite hot and he could hear us outside. I'm sure it also doesn't help when your Mommy comes over to take your picture.


After bath time was so successful, Grammie thought it would be fun to bring out the water again. It also worked wonders for keeping cool.


(Did I mention yet that it was hot?)


Eddie made a game of trying to catch items blowing on the cloths line.



Jon took Eddie for a ride on a mattress. Eddie liked this game better.


While Grandpa and Grammie were making lunch...


Aunt Janna & Uncle Troy were kayaking and Aunt Julie & Jon were seeking shade. (Mark and Grandpa had gone kayaking earlier.)


We stripped Eddie down to his shoes and diaper so he could play in the water spigot.


And try to drink from the drinking fountain.


Got some!


After our late lunch, Eddie 'helped' Uncle Troy and Jon take down a tent.


Aunt Janna took over for Eddie when it was time to head home.


We stayed at such a beautiful park. I snagged some pictures on the way out.

It was so hot that Eddie had a hard time sleeping and was exhausted. By the time we were leaving the park, he was...

Going.

Going.

Gone.

What a great adventure.

(and the ride home took under 2 hours!)

Go have an adventure! pt 3

Our camping adventures continue...

Bright and early Saturday morning Eddie woke us up with a happy squeal. Mark stumbled to the car to grab his milk-filled sippy cup from the cooler. Knowing that everyone else in the campground would not appreciate his happy squeals we loaded Eddie up into the stroller and headed off.

We ended up at the beach...


We were the 1st ones there.


Eddie was free to explore.




I've never gone to the beach in my pjs before.



It was quite fun.


Once we were all sandy, we walked back.


It was a great way to start the day!

(even if it was really early)

Go have an adventure! pt 2

After our adventure trying to find the camp ground, it was exciting to get out of the car and set up camp. Julie & Jon arrived shortly after we did [even though they left an hour and a half after us...but I probably shouldn't mention that again :) ]. Now the whole family was together.


Eddie enjoyed 'helping' me put sheets on the air mattress. And climbing in and out of the tent.


Then it was time to 'contain' him a bit until dinner was ready.


Uncle Troy taught Eddie a new trick after dinner.


Because it was nice and HOT outside, I gave Eddie a bath to cool him off before bed.


He went to bed without any fussing, which impressed me because it was hours after his normal bedtime. The rest of the family talked around the campfire and Eddie jabbered in bed while playing with his night light.


As we sat and laughed by the fire, we saw a green glow in the tent that would click on and off.

Go have an adventure! pt 1

That is what my Dad kept telling Eddie before we left on his first camping trip. And have an adventure we did!

I decided to break our trip up into a few posts because even though we were only gone 24 hours...we made lots of memories! The plan was to camp 2 nights with Mark's family. To leave Friday after Mark got home from his conference, but when Eddie had been off all afternoon and with the threat of rain...we decided to head out first thing in the morning.

Eddie woke up bright & early, feeling great and full of it Saturday morning. While I was re-packing, he was going behind me unpacking.


We tried to avoid camping in the rain Friday night, but it turned out the rain came Saturday morning.


We kept an eye on the radar and kept calling Mark's parents who were trying to stay dry at the campsite with Janna & Troy. When it became clear that leaving right away wasn't the best option, Mark built some shelves in the basement storage room.

Notice how nice and high they are?


While I pray we never have another flood, I don't care to see our Christmas decorations float by again.


Once all the red and yellow on the radar passed the campsite, we were finally on our way. Eddie was a bit unsure at first. I'm not sure if it was because Mark turned his seat around and he faced forward for the first time, or if it was because we were once again listening to Snacktime, and Mark and I were bouncing around and singing the popcorn song.

I'm guessing the latter and he is already realizing how crazy his parents are.


Whatever it was, he warmed right up to facing forward. He played a bit of hide-n-seek with his blanket, and started to laugh at Mark and me singing. I liked that it was so easy to pass him toys and drinks.


The campground is about an hour and a half away. Once we had been on the road for just over an hour we realized we must have missed our exit. We were looking for exit 30...and we saw exit 34. We looped back.

We couldn't find it.

Exit 30 didn't exist.

Once we finally figured out where we were and where we should have been...we were 64 miles off.

Mark had been so focused on a rest stop to make sure the kayak was still tied tightly to the roof rack that we blew right by our exit. We were in the wrong state.

Mark called his Dad who was able to find where we were in a road atlas and give us new directions.

I thought it was pretty funny, Mark did too after awhile. If we had taken the planned directions, we would have missed the giant (fake) pumpkin, some larger than life concrete lawn squirrels and some beautiful country side.


3 hours after we left home, we arrived. Just in time for dinner.

Our adventure should have just been starting, but instead it was an adventure just to find the campground! :)

On the run.

Are they following?

Freeeeedom!

If only for a moment.

Pollywog in a bog.

We have had a wonderful weekend.


Seriously, wonderful.


Friday night we played in the sand & water and had dinner by the beach. Eddie didn't know what to think of the water, (the waves were pretty big) but it was better than his first experience.


Saturday we went...well, actually I don't know where we were. But I do know we were up in Boy Scout land. One of Mark's students attained his Eagle and we were invited to his Eagle Court. I don't know much about the Boy Scouts, but I do know that this is a big deal. A really big deal.

The court was inside instead of out because of rain. It worked out well for us because once Eddie could no longer sit still, he and I were able to go outside where the rain had let up.

Eddie had a heyday exploring. He collected little rocks and brought them to a big rock. Even though we were getting dirty, I had to remind myself that he is a boy. Dirt happens and I have a big bottle of Shout at home.

All was well, until a dog came along. Eddie has no fear of animals and was frustrated with me when I was holding him back. I tried to distract him pointing out moths, spiders and an outdoor thermometer, but it didn't work. I was quite excited when I heard lots of clapping signaling the end of the ceremony. (I had no idea that the ceremony would be an hour and a half!) Even though I missed a lot of the ceremony, I know Mark was happy to be there for Josh.

Mark filled me in on the details I missed on the ride home while we listened to Eddie's new music. While Mark and I were singing and laughing along to Snack Time, Eddie was zonked out. (I can't help but laugh at Pollywog In A Bog)


Today is our 7th wedding anniversary.


To celebrate, Eddie stayed with Grandpa and Grammum while Mark and I went for a looong boat ride.


We had hoped for a nice cruise along the big lake, but it was a bit choppy. We had hoped for a smooth ride.


We went back through the channel to calmer waters.



I tried to read, but it was just choppy enough to make that impossible. So I relaxed in the sun. :)


We had a perfect landing and were congratulating ourselves on a smooth outing, until Mark went to get the jeep and saw the bumper hanging down.


Thankfully the guy left his card and he was actually taking his boat out at the same time. He was very apologetic and said he would pay to get it fixed. Good thing we know someone who can fix that!

We picked up the Little Man and went to get ice cream and play at the park.


We thought that he would stay close because of the ice cream, but once he had his fill he ran to explore.



He didn't get far.


We've had a wonderful day! Once Eddie was in bed we tried to watch a movie, but I fell asleep. Apparently I started to snore.

Who knew after 7 years, I would be such a romantic!