Weekend Camping Trip

Last Friday around lunch time, Brandon and I spontaneously decided to rent a camper and go camping for the weekend. We had a very short window of time to pick up the camper and supplies, because we were arranging all this between his patients.

We finally got to the campground around 5, Brandon was setting up the outside of the camper while the girls and i were inside while i was trying to arrange things and organize a little. Sophia was playing with the dog and Bella was playing in one of the beds when we hear a scream and a splash. Bella had fallen OUT of the side of the camper. She was a little shaken and completely filthy, but not hurt so that was good. After that we had to run to Walmart to get some things we didnt have, and by the time we got back it was close to dark and we were completely exhausted. Though exhausted, Bella refused to sleep. So, we put the girls in the truck and drove around until they fell asleep. By this time it was almost 11 p.m. Brandon and wanted to sit by the campfire and enjoy it, but we were just too tired, so we went to bed. Brandon in one bed with Sophia, Bella and I in the other. This worked until approx. 2:20 am, when Bella woke up fully refreshed and ready to play. She could absolutely not sleep there. SO, we packed the girls up in the truck and drove 45 min. to get home, leaving all of our things at the campground. We slept from about 4-7:30 and then got up and showered and headed back to the campground.

Saturday was fun, we took the girls fishing, but Bella wasnt at all scared of falling into the water so she was being reckless. So for the 2nd fishing excursion Bella and I stayed in the truck. The fish werent biting anyway, it was too hot and sunny.

The girls got to ride around in their little Mustang and have snacks and Sophie rode her bike a little. But as nightfall was approaching, I knew Bella still wouldnt sleep there. So, I called my mom and had her meet me to pick Bella up so she could sleep at Grandma's house. This was good for her because she got to be in a comfortable, familiar place and good for Brandon and I because another sleepless night would have completely wiped us out. Bella is a bit territorial, it seems. I have heard about kids who have a hard time sleeping in strange places like hotel rooms, or friends houses, and maybe Bella is just one of those kids.

We packed up early on Sunday morning, i think we were on the road back home by 9:30. Unloading was a bit of nightmare since we were still pretty tired, but we got it done. After that we did some lawn work. Me and Sophia planted some flowers while Brandon mowed and set up a pool for the girls. Shortly after, my mom brought Bella back and we all hung out for the rest of the afternoon. The girls played in the pool for a long time, and Bella did NOT want to get out.

In fact, in just a few minutes when i get of work we are planning on eating dinner then slapping the suits of and swimming for a while before bath/bedtime. Normally kids wouldnt need a bath after swimming, but somehow with all the in and outs of the pool they are coverd with grass and have some dirty little feet! I have posted a short video (scroll down) of them playing in the pool, its adorable.. and also very LOUD! :)

Thats my weekend camping story. I think we all had fun, but I am not sure if we will brave it again with Bella until she is a little older.

This coming weekend Brandon's brother is getting married, and both Sophia and Bella are flower girls. So hopefully next week i will have some cute pictures to share and (please pray!) no horror stories!

I cannot believe its August already! Seems like summer is just getting started. :(

Before we know it, it summer will be over, though. So we are trying to take the girls to the park, go swimming, and playing outside as often as we can.

The girls LOVE McDonalds picnic in the park then they get to play afterwards. And of course, when McDonalds is involved, i always have a good time.

Sophia still loves the dog, she drags it around everywhere. She is the 'mommy' and Cinderella is her 'baby.'

Sophie also loves it when Bella lays on her lap. She is such a sweet big sister! :) im so proud of my girls.

In other news, i got a new car. I was driving a beautiful 05 Ford Explorer with all the bell's and whistles and we really loved it. However, Brandon drives a huge Ford F150. That means that both our vehicles were huge gas-guzzlers. As we only have 2 children to haul around, not 8, it seemed a little silly to be paying so much for gas when we really didnt need THAT much space on a daily basis. So we bought a cute little Ford Fusion, and i love it! Gets GREAT gas mileage and its really peppy and cute.

Whats not to love?

Why We Love Weekends

We all had a really, really fun weekend. Friday Brandon went golfing and then to Harrah's for the night with his dad and friends. The girls and I went and stayed with my parents. We went to Vacation Bible School, the park, grilled out, swam and relaxed... it was so much fun!

After VBS on Friday night, we took the girls to the park. Sophia played with her cousin Madelynn, and my parents got a first-hand look at just exactly how she feels about someone taking her out of the swing!!

On Saturday morning, my dad took Sophia to the Firehouse -bella was napping:( - and she got to see and sit in the fire trucks, wear a firehat, etc. she loved it! i dont know who had more fun sophia or gramps! :)
She also got to hear the sirens and see the lights, and see the inside of the ambulance.

right next door to the Firehouse is a Veterans Memorial which features members of my dads side of the family, which includes my dad's father and grandfather. and even more cool, is that the shields and the sheltons are both my relation and thanks to alphabetical order, they are next to each other... which makes for a great photo opportunity!

(jack shields=my grandfather, john shields= my great grandfather, sheltons= my uncles and cousins) Then after a delicious meal, (thanks mom and dad!) the girls and i headed home to get daddy so we could head to Brandons aunt and uncles. so i got home, re-packed the bags and we headed out again. we all had a wonderful time there, too. They prepared a very nice meal for us, and we sat outside and chatted while the kids were playing. it was nice to catch up with them.

they pretty much have a small amusement park in their backyard, sophia was jumping on the trampoline, rock climbing, sliding, swinging, dancing. the girls played with their cousins all night while brandon and i got to relax and visit. they even gave sophia a bath and got her ready for bed for me!

Sunday afternoon was relaxing a little napping (should have been cleaing,) a little watching sophia and bella swim (should have been doing laundry.)

Which brings me to the subject of my next blog: the abounding joy that a 3 ring pool brings to toddlers and parents alike!

weekend fun :)

It was a wonderful weekend. The girls spent the night with my parents on Friday so Brandon and I had a night off. Then Saturday was pretty relaxing. We went to a cookout then came home and relaxed, got in the hot tub, did some reading. Sunday Sophia swam in her new pool (the orange one popped) and bella was splashing along the sides with her hands and accidentally fell in, it took her breath away. she didnt care for it too much after that.

also, some of the flowers we planted last weekend are looking really beautiful. we actually all look at them every day, its really exciting.

this coming weekend we are going to try to take the girls to the St. Louis Zoo, maybe even spend the night down there and take the girls to Chuck E Cheez. sophia would have a ball, but i think brandon and i would have even more fun to be honest. and their pizza is fantastic, too, if i remember right. although my childhood memories of the place involve rushed eating to get to the games.