Camping 101

We went to Table Rock State Park September 2011 with Trey's cousin Kevin and his family.  The Smith's have a camper and we rented a cabin.  We loved it!  Even though it rained the entire trip.  Fast forward to May 2013--Trey and I decided we wanted our own camper.  This is totally a new experience for me-and I love every minute of it.  It's nice to be able to get away-even if it's just for the weekend.   Sitting around a campfire is relaxing--even if your kids are inside the camper screaming!

Our inaugural camping trip was to Sesquicentennial Park in Columbia.  We also went to Fayetteville KOA, Mt. Pleasant KOA, Modoc, Coneross, Kings Mountain, and Wilkesboro.  The first few trips we had to constantly make trips to the store to get items we needed-more chairs, blocks for the jacks, table, water filter, etc.

This was our first trip this year-Mt. Pleasant KOA.  It was cold and extremely windy-but it was still fun.  My mom even joined us Saturday night!

Photo disclaimer-No lungs were harmed during this trip.  No one inhaled.

White Stuff

The snow started falling Tuesday night-and falling-and falling.   We woke up yesterday morning to a beautiful blanket of snow.  Trey headed to the office to knock out a few things and the boys and I stayed under the cozy blankets.  Around 11 we bundled up, grabbed the sleds, and headed downtown to meet Trey for lunch.  Then the fun began.  Drew and I went to Craig Park and sledded down the steep slope-fun!!!  I then got the pleasure of pulling Drew on his sled down Main St.  It was not the workout that I would have hoped to achieved yesterday-but it was some exercise.  Trey picked us up and we drove around town while Jac napped and Drew pouted-it's easy to have fun when someone else is doing the work.  When we got to the Country Club we put the tailgate down and grabbed a rope to attach to the sled--then we pulled Drew.  He loved it!  Until Trey went just a little to fast and the snow smashed him in the face--but it didn't stop him.  He went again.  We headed towards home.  When we went by Craig Park Drew wanted to play-so we stopped for a minute for him to play.  (He has been talking about going there since Sunday for some reason.)

The photos on Facebook and the posts on food made me hungry!  I feel a little unprepared when you see some of the food people are making-hams, cakes, casseroles, etc.  I made sure to have a box of wine and Vodka on hand.  We've got juice pouches and fruit snacks.  What else does a family of four need?

When we got home I made some snow cream for the boys (and me).  I had never had it before-and unless the boys just  have to have it again it won't be making a repeat appearance.  I had black beans cooking in the crockpot all day.  I threw together some Mexican rice.  We had meat out to make Tacos-but decided to just eat beans and rice.  I then proceeded to eat and drink from 4:30 until I went to bed!

I told Drew we'd make a snowman today-but I'm not going to be sad if he wants to stay inside all day.

One Tooth Down

I knew children loosing teeth would be a part of parenthood.  I did not know that the first tooth loss would be so dramatic.  Jac was running around avoiding bedtime while we were in Atlanta for New Years-his feet tripped him up, bam he hits the floor, blood is gushing, he is screaming, I see a dangling tooth--and then he yanks it out of his mouth!

Right after the fall.

Boy loves taking the selfies:

Another selfie:

Jac is definitely the second child-the first time I had professional shots of him was in November-and he would not cooperate!  At least we got his pretty teeth in a few photos!

Drew meanwhile is desperate to lose a tooth!  Better get to ordering that pillow off of Etsy sooner rather than later.

One Hundred Days

Last Thursday Drew's class celebrated the 100th day of school.

Jac photo bombing.

Drew wanted a picture without Jac.

At the end of the first half of the school year we made the decision to take Drew out of the small Christian school he was attending and move him to the public elementary school.  Best Decision Ever!  I'm just so excited that he seems to 1. be enjoying school 2. learning more!  We was on the letter "T" at Christmas at his old school--new school he's being made to read, write sentences, count to 100.  I was really afraid he'd be behind.  He is with the reading and writing sentences--but he's eager to learn when he's not showing off for everyone.  Talks too much is something we're told often….apple didn't fall to far from either tree!

The Boys 'Round Here

My boys are rowdy but they love each other!  The fight one minute and play like best friends the next.  I hope they stay close as they grow older.

Snow Days

Ain't nobody got time for snow!  Chesterfield shut down for three days due to snow--we had snow on the ground two of the three days.  Trey and I didn't get to take the days off -- the joys of being self employed.  Everyone kept asking me if the boys enjoyed playing in the snow--and they were shocked by my response of "No".  Drew put on his pajamas Tuesday evening--and didn't get back out of them until Friday morning when it was time to get ready for school.  Jac just goes with the flow.

Here's a throw back to Drew's opinion of the snow:

Jac won't slow down long enough for me to get a decent picture.  His attitude of the snow mimics Drew's!

Winner Winner Venison Dinner

While we were in Crockett for Thanksgiving I agreed to go hunting with Trey.  BIG MISTAKE.  I was hooked!  There was no way I was going to shoot anything that I couldn't mount in my office…says the girl who has never hunted a day in her life.  Well, it didn't happen over Thanksgiving--but I did see the big one that got away!

Since hunting season is over the last week of December, I did what any normal competitive individual would do.  I agreed to drive the 16 hours to go to Crockett the day after Christmas.  (Christmas post will come in July the rate I'm going)

We drove straight through on the 26th.  We got there and went hunting the evening of the 27th--and I got one!  This is my face like three seconds after it happened.

My trophy!

If you're going to kill Bambi's father you got to do it up big!

Now to round out his end of the bargain Trey has to run a half marathon.  He doesn't even know where his running shoes are!