The Great Outdoors

It is time for the annual ward camp out and since we had such a great time last year we of course signed up again this year. Although the crowd was probably half the size we still had a blast. Who can't find something to enjoy in the great outdoors? It was a much needed vacation for our little family.

Last year we stayed in the an A-frame unit and this year we decided to switch it up and sleep in a walled tent already set up. I have to say it was a bit more private staying in the tent and felt like we had a better chance of getting a good rest. Although there was little rest to be had with 2 little creatures called Megan and Andrew inside our tent.

The ward activities committee cooked Hawaiian haystacks for dinner. It was kind of nice to walk up to the buffet line and see something from back in Salinas. The kids didn't eat much but since I expected this I fed them before we left the house. I did bring a few snacks just in case I had a starving kid but all worked out nice.

We followed dinner with an impromptu talent show. I say impromptu because it seemed like nothing was really planned. Mostly primary kids got up and told some jokes, danced around, or sang a song that you couldn't hear. I had planned to bring our pipe chimes but couldn't get everything together in time. I also had a very reluctant husband he really didn't want me to bring them. In hind sight I wish I would have just brought them, they were needed. I've already given Jeff plenty of notice that next year we are bring them no matter what.

We took the kids on a dusk hike until their little legs began to get tired and they were ready to head in. We played a few board games in the tent and then settle down with our glow sticks for a restless night. I'm not sure any of us got much sleep but it was sure something and different with all the outdoor sounds.

I loved just hanging outside in the little clearing outside our tent. It was so peaceful and relaxing. Jeff would take the kids off somewhere and I'd just sit and listen to the sounds of nature it was really nice. The kids also loved just getting to run around and not have to stay so close or hold hands. They had free reign to run and just enjoy themselves.

We tried our hands at skipping stones. Really it was more like Jeff skipping stones and the rest of us just plunking rocks in the river. We spent at least and hour or more just down by the water enjoying it's splendor.

After a yummy breakfast of pancakes, sausage, ham, watermelon, hot chocolate, and oj we headed out for more fun. We hit up fishing and came up with nothing to show for the efforts. We had the same bad luck last year and are about ready to give it up for next year. The kids still have fun casting out and hoping to catch something so we are really undecided.

We had a really strong wind and luckily we had our kites with us again. This time the kids loved getting the chance to fly them. Last year there was barely any wind so it was a bit frustrating but this year they had them in the air for most of the time. Andrew now says "I love my kite and I'm good at it." Megan got a bit tangled up in the string and got a little frustrated but still had fun watching her kite get in the air for long chunks of time.

We hit up the canoes again but this time I opted to sit out. The unstable canoe just makes me super nervous and I don't want to take an unexpected swim. Even though Jeff assures me that our boat won't tip I just don't want to take the risk. I was happy to watch from the shore and see my cute little family float about.

We had such a great time. I don't think there was anything we really didn't like. I have to say next year we've got to have more camping trips. This was only a Friday night and Saturday day. If we really planned an outing that lasted a few day I know the kids would love it. It was the perfect little trip for us and I'm glad we went. We are already thinking about next year and hope the ward continues to plan this type of activity.

Andrew's 6th Birthday

Andrew turned the big 6 years old last Wednesday. We've been celebrating in two stages to help him feel special. It is so heart warming to see him so happy and feel like a big boy.

We started with the all important making of the birthday cake. Andrew loves any type of baking in the kitchen and wanted to be hands on. We went out to the store and he selected a chocolate cake mix with chocolate frosting. Got milk??

He was super excited to be in the kitchen. We even ended up with chocolate splatter all over him and Jeff as he was so excited to turn on the mixer before it was locked in place. We got a bit messy but isn't that what being a kid is all about?

While the cake was cooling to be frosted we switched gears and opened his presents. He was all grins as he sat on the couch and was handed each gift one at a time. He loved everything he got. It was awesome to get gifts in the mail from my Dad, Grannie Annie, and my Aunt Debbie. It was more for him to open which he loved of course. By the time we were done with the presents and playing with some of them it was time to have the cake. He was able to taste the fruits of his labor and it was yummy to his tummy.

It was a nice family celebration with just us at home on the actual day. We did get a nice phone call from Auntie Laurie and her fam. They sang happy birthday to him while he listened with yet another ear to ear grin on his face. We had a great night. Of course we weren't done yet as we had planned a fun birthday outing for today.

We took Andrew out today to Wild Waves for some swimming fun and then out to Odyssey1 which is a children's birthday play place. It has laser tag, arcade games, and a huge play area. He was a bit confused when we pulled up but quickly got over it.

They played a round of laser tag. It was Megan and Andrew against Jeff. Andrew was a bit scared to go into the dark room but I was able to go in with them and once they got started he was completely in love with it. He was Megan's little shadow for pretty much the whole game and he was giggling and running and shooting till his little heart was content. I have to say we now have a laser tag addict on our hands. He loved it so much he is ready to play again and again. With some birthday money from my Aunt Debbie we purchase him his very own laser tag set to play at home. We'll see it that satisfies the craving.

We ended our packed day at ol' Mc'D with Papa and Grandma VoFo for a little dinner and chocolate dipped cones. They had their present for him and it was the perfect place to give it to him. It was a full day and Andrew loved it all. We tried our best to help him have the best bday possible and I think we accomplished that. It is so much fun to see them grow each year and how different they become as the years go by. It was a good day.

Sprinkler Park Fun

Summer is in full swing and we have been in need of getting out of the house to play. My kids are just about done with watching me sit at the computer to work. We've still got about 4 weeks left of summer break so it was time to come up with something new. We've been hitting up a few play parks but it seems to have lost its appeal.

I came across a set of 4 different sprinkler parks to explore. So far we've tried out 2 different locations. This is an area where they have a variety of water spouts that shoot out or dump water.

My kids are completely in love with the sprinkler parks. The parks are free and open to anyone. We spent about 2 solid hours playing yesterday and the kids didn't stop to rest once.

They love running around and playing with all the different elements. After all the fun we had yesterday the kids asked to go explore another of the parks today. Since we really didn't have anything on the agenda I was happy to take them.

They had just as much fun today as they did yesterday and can't decide which place they like better. When I told them we still have 2 other places to explore they got really excited and can't wait to check out the next one.

I'm feeling like I need to spread out this new found fun. The kids have already asked where we are going next and I said they could pick the order. It gives them such joy to be in control of where we get to go and makes them very happy to have a say.

Really who can resist such fun in the sun. It is so special to be a mom and get to see the joy on your kids face when doing something so simple as splashing around it water sprinklers. It makes life worth it sometimes just for moments like these.