(Backyard) Camping

Before kids, Mike and I would go camping every chance we got.  The last time we went camping, I was pregnant with Colden.  

What's kept us from camping since we had kids?!?  The following scenario:  Driving some distance to go camping, just to have a 3-year-old crying because he is scared of the noises or the darkness and an 8-month-old crying because, well, she's 8 months old.  We have now woken up the entire campsite at 2am and have to drive home.

Before venturing out too deep into the wilderness, we decided to test the waters by going camping a little closer to home...in our backyard!

It's s'mores time!!

(Colden's favorite part of camping)

We were a little nervous to see how Colden would react once it got dark outside.  Luckily, it was a clear night and the moon served as the perfect nightlight.

We got cozy in the tent...

Read books...

 And both kids were out.  AND, more importantly - both kids slept through the night!

 

AND - everyone woke up happy!

Success!

Now...where to go camping next...

Fun Backyard Photo-Shoot

My dad and I taking turns with his camera + 2 cute kids + beautiful, sunny day =

Random: Apples, Sleeping & Funny Conversations

This is going to be a random post of things that simply make me smile - I hope they make you smile too.

Apples

We recently gave apples to Reese for the first time.  Maybe this is where "Apple Pucker" came from?!?

Sleeping

Oh, how I love moments like these.  I wish we could have more of them!

  

Funny Conversations

Oh, Colden...some of the things that you say just crack us up! 

(Please, please, please never lose your sense of humor)

At the dinner table...

Colden:  Can I have chips?

Me:  Not until you eat all of your peas and carrots

C:  All of them?

Me:  Yes.  I don't want to see any peas or carrots left on your plate

C:  Then close your eyes mommy.  Now can I have some chips?!?

Standing at the top of the stairs before bedtime...

C:  Can I go downstairs and bring my car up for bedtime?

Me:  Sure, go ahead.  I will wait here for you.
(Looking downstairs and then back at me)

C:  I can go downstairs by myself.  There's no such thing as monsters.  I'm not scared.
(Looking at the dark downstairs and then back at me)

C:  OK.  I'm a little scared, even though there is no such thing as monsters.  You stay right there.
(Looking at the shadows on the walls of the dark downstairs and then back at me)

C:  OK.  I'm scared.  Come downstairs with me.

Colden listening in on a conversation about Nanny...

Mike:  How is jury duty going for your mom?

C:  What?

M:  Nanny is on jury duty.  I was asking mommy how it was going.

C:  Daddy, we don't say that!  That's a bad word!

M:  What's a bad word - we don't say what?

C:  Doodie is a potty word.  We don't say doodie outside of the bathroom!
(Trying desperately to control the laughter)

M:  You're right.  Nanny is on jury service.

Reese: 7 Months Old

 (3 days)

(1 month)

(2 months)

(3 months)

(4 months)

(5 months)

(6 months)

(7 months)

We decided to try Reese in a swing for the first time over Memorial Day weekend...she loved it!

Some cute pictures of Reese (and family and friends):

 Saba and Reese

 Reese sandwiched between Safta and Cousin Alexa

Reese snuggling with Auntie Steph