Friday, August 27, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Isabel's birthday!
I can't believe my "baby" is 2. I just can't imagine our life without her and I am so beyond thankful that God is allowing me to raise her.
I love watching how Avery and Isabel play together. They are sisters so several times a day I do hear screams and slaps but in general they play with each other very well and seem to enjoy it. Now that they are sharing a bed one of my favorite things is listening to them laugh as they are winding down and falling asleep.
Some of my favorite quotes from Isabel:
"Wha happened?" (usually after she's knocked something over)
"Wha ya doin?"
"I wuv you"
"Mama, I wan hug"
When she wants us to push her in the swing outside she says "Mommy, push you". I guess because we used to ask her "do you want us to push you?"
The other thing she's started is that when I ask her to stop doing something or to move or get out of the way (like when she is in the kitchen near the hot stove) she blows raspberries at me. She then ends up in time-out but I do have to keep from laughing.
Life sure wouldn't be as exciting without her!
I love watching how Avery and Isabel play together. They are sisters so several times a day I do hear screams and slaps but in general they play with each other very well and seem to enjoy it. Now that they are sharing a bed one of my favorite things is listening to them laugh as they are winding down and falling asleep.
Some of my favorite quotes from Isabel:
"Wha happened?" (usually after she's knocked something over)
"Wha ya doin?"
"I wuv you"
"Mama, I wan hug"
When she wants us to push her in the swing outside she says "Mommy, push you". I guess because we used to ask her "do you want us to push you?"
The other thing she's started is that when I ask her to stop doing something or to move or get out of the way (like when she is in the kitchen near the hot stove) she blows raspberries at me. She then ends up in time-out but I do have to keep from laughing.
Life sure wouldn't be as exciting without her!
Our second camping trip!
So, only 2 weeks after our first camping trip we took another one to Yosemite! My parents came into town for Isabel's birthday and since we had all the stuff we decided to try it again. Jon even surprised us all by joining in. We rented a 8-passenger Chevy Traverse and we loaded that thing to beyond full. By the time we got there everyone in the back had lost all feeling in our legs. It was worth it as Yosemite is a gorgeous area and we all had fun. It was the first time the entire family had been together in over a year and a half.
That is half-dome in the background.
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Ryan actually went under and swam right after this photo.
Isn't this place gorgeous!
Both nights we got back to camp so late that we were eating dinner in the dark.
Playing in and around the tent. Dirt is so much fun!
The water in Yosemite was so clear and crisp. It's glacier water so it's pretty cold but felt so good and the feet either became used to it or just numb...
Yosemite was very crowded and with 2 small children we didn't get as much hiking in as normal but we still got a good overview of the park. Now that Ryan and I are becoming camping pros we think we can take little weekend trips like this more often. The girls love it and Avery keeps asking to go back.
Getting the kids to sleep while camping is one of the hardest parts of the entire camping endeavor. That and the fact that everything takes just a little bit longer than normal. Anyway, one of the funniest moments was during the first nights attempt to get Isabel to sleep. The late bedtime, the s'mores, the different bed all contribute to her inability to fall asleep so usually Ryan and I have to lay in there with her. (This night was really bad due to the fact that Grandma and Grand-daddy both gave her soda!) Anyway, Ryan and I were in our tent with the girls and Isabel was just bouncing (literally) from wall to wall, screaming, laughing, singing, just having a good time. Then she comes over to our bed and lays down, finally we thought, she'll fall asleep. About 30 seconds later we hear gurgle, gurgle gurgle, swallow, gurgle gurgle gurgle, swallow repeat... She had discovered what fun water in the mouth could be. Needless to say it was too cute and too funny to be mad, we just laughed. We found out the next day that my parents could also hear it and they also were laughing in their tent.
That is half-dome in the background.
Playing in and around the tent. Dirt is so much fun!
Yosemite was very crowded and with 2 small children we didn't get as much hiking in as normal but we still got a good overview of the park. Now that Ryan and I are becoming camping pros we think we can take little weekend trips like this more often. The girls love it and Avery keeps asking to go back.
Getting the kids to sleep while camping is one of the hardest parts of the entire camping endeavor. That and the fact that everything takes just a little bit longer than normal. Anyway, one of the funniest moments was during the first nights attempt to get Isabel to sleep. The late bedtime, the s'mores, the different bed all contribute to her inability to fall asleep so usually Ryan and I have to lay in there with her. (This night was really bad due to the fact that Grandma and Grand-daddy both gave her soda!) Anyway, Ryan and I were in our tent with the girls and Isabel was just bouncing (literally) from wall to wall, screaming, laughing, singing, just having a good time. Then she comes over to our bed and lays down, finally we thought, she'll fall asleep. About 30 seconds later we hear gurgle, gurgle gurgle, swallow, gurgle gurgle gurgle, swallow repeat... She had discovered what fun water in the mouth could be. Needless to say it was too cute and too funny to be mad, we just laughed. We found out the next day that my parents could also hear it and they also were laughing in their tent.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Very first camping trip!
At the end of July our family joined 4 other families for a camping trip at Clear Lake, CA. That was 10 adults and 13 kids! The oldest was 7 and the youngest was just under 2. From 7:30am to 9:30pm the kids were non-stop action. It was kid heaven, no "real" rules, no room to clean, lots of dirt and all your best friends just a tent away. All the adults had fun too but it was just a bit more work for us.
Seeing as it had been over 4 years since Ryan and I had been camping we had a lot to remember and learn about camping with 2 small children. We started by getting a bigger tent (almost nicer than our house!), a new lantern and pulling out all our dusty camp gear. What we learned pretty quick is that even if it's only for 3 days, you need a lot of stuff. I also had to learn that dirt and dust on your bed and your kids isn't something to fear, but to learn to embrace.
Trying to keep track of Isabel was the hardest part. She's so independent and adventurous you never knew where you might find her. Quick hint, it was usually in the dirt or trying to climb a tree.
Here are a few pictures of our fun times.
The whole group!
All the kids!
Jake was the first and only one to go in the swamp behind the tents!
No fear!
She loves marshmallows!
Chloe, Isabel and Grace playing with play-doh
Our tent
Seeing as it had been over 4 years since Ryan and I had been camping we had a lot to remember and learn about camping with 2 small children. We started by getting a bigger tent (almost nicer than our house!), a new lantern and pulling out all our dusty camp gear. What we learned pretty quick is that even if it's only for 3 days, you need a lot of stuff. I also had to learn that dirt and dust on your bed and your kids isn't something to fear, but to learn to embrace.
Trying to keep track of Isabel was the hardest part. She's so independent and adventurous you never knew where you might find her. Quick hint, it was usually in the dirt or trying to climb a tree.
Here are a few pictures of our fun times.
The whole group!
Jake was the first and only one to go in the swamp behind the tents!
Our tent
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