Inaugural Camping Trip

We decided that we wanted to try out our new camper before we go for our week long camping trip later this summer - you know, to work out the kinks so to speak :-)

The problem is that it is VERY difficult to get campground reservations without serious advance planning - like 6 months in advance. Times have changed from when Joel and I went camping as kids, when you just left as early as possible and hoped there were sites left when you got there (there usually were). Now, you MUST decide where and when you want to go and make reservations 6 months in advance - the earliest the state parks allow. This involves rapid speed dialing to the reservation center until you get through and having a list of camp sites you are willing to reserve. Anyway.....the state park at Cadillac was one of the few that had any spots for this weekend, so that is where we went.

Set up went relatively smoothly, in spite of 2 kids "helping". We finished right around dinner time and decided it was time to eat, but when we tried to light the propane grill that came with the camper, we discovered that it wouldn't light....well, long story short, a few phone calls later and Joel ended up driving to Meijer to buy a propane stove so we could eat.

So, let's see...we had the propane issue....the mosquitos were HORRENDOUS...and it rained ALOT on our last day and completely flooded our site.....But, other than that we had a good time trying out our new digs and a great time playing at the beach. We figured out some of the do's and don'ts and feel more prepared for our mega-camping trip in August.

Si looking all cute ready for bed
Playing at the beach



Our campsite

My very silly children

Vacation?????

Well, vacations are not REALLY vacations anymore - the chaos seems to follow us, but it's still fun to cause chaos in a new place :-)

We just got back from a mini "vacation" in Traverse City with Jen's parents and her sister's family. We stayed right on the bay at the same place we have been going to for several years, complete with mini golf, bocce ball, shuffle board and lets not forget the hot tubs overlooking the lake :-)

I took Si down to check out the sand shortly after we got there. Well, he saw something he wanted in the water and the rest is history. Yes, mothering at it's finest - this is him fully clothed right after he did a face plant in the water

The above mentioned hot tub - very nice, but not quite as relaxing with all the kiddos splashing

Joel and Anna playing mini golf and Simon checking VERY

carefully to make sure they are doing it right :-)

The fam

Celebrating Karen's 30th birthday (the kiddos are being temporarily entertained by the grandparents - YAY!)

Enjoying a bday cupcake

Anna got her own glass of "special" juice - it wasn't near as "special"
as the juice the grown-ups enjoyed :-)

Well, since we are both over 30 now, we figured we should learn how to play shuffleboard - we still don't have a clue how to play for REAL, but it was fun anyway

It's a little harder to play when SOMEONE takes and tosses the disks

And, even harder when you have to shoot around little moving obstacles

Anna in her "rock star" sunglasses, showing off her newly lost teeth

Cousins

Daddy's day pic

The dads and the kids

Anna picked out these "fancy" rings for all the girls to wear - GIRL POWER!

The entire fam

Now we are home trying to recover from our "vacation" :-)

A New Way to Eat...

He thinks he is pretty funny!

A Good Old Fashioned.....

temper tantrum! Simon is getting very good at these. Notice how he is in different spots in the photos. He was following me around the house crying, when I would stop walking he would throw himself on the floor. Then when I left the room, he would get up and follow me. He's a funny kid!

Mr. Independent

So, I am not one of those moms who willingly gives their toddlers a spoon and lets them have at it. I have enough messes to clean up without adding that kind of mess to my list. So, I like to wait until they are REALLY ready and don't make so much of a mess. Some may argue with me, but hey, it's not like they are gonna go to college not knowing how to use a spoon, so I am not overly worried.

Well, I sat down to feed Simon some yogurt today and he had an absolute fit when I tried to put it in his mouth. He kept trying to grab the spoon, so I let him have it. He definitley required assistance to actually get the yogurt on the spoon, but he was pretty proud of himself for what he COULD do.



Good job, Si!!!

Splish, Splash

It is SO stinkin' hot here today! We decided to get the little pool out so the kids can cool off. They had a blast - Simon, splashing and playing with his toys and Anna, bossing him around :-)

Last Day of Kindergarten

Today was my baby's last day of Kindergarten! She is now officially a first grader - a fact she will proudly tell anyone who will listen. She finished the school year with flying colors! Her report card was fabulous! We are amazed at the smart, social, funny little girl she has grown into over the past school year! Great job, Anna!!!!

Headed off for her last day of K - putting up with mom taking photos :-)

Getting off the Kindergarten bus for the last time

Mom's Birthday

Today we celebrated my birthday with my kiddos. My parents took us all out to dinner, then we had cake and ice cream at our house. Anna just HAD to help with everything and Simon just wanted at the cake :-)

For Sale....

Yup, it's officially on the market now. We've packed stuff up, cleaned like mad and finished up some projects (although we still have a few in the works). I'm having mixed feelings about the whole thing.....it's OUR house after all. So, we'll see what happens now.......