Ft. Myers

We went to Ft. Myers a few weeks ago and I am working on compiling my pictures, but in the mean time here is a sneak peek at the beach.

Cool yes, but not the coolest thing she found on the beach! Stay tuned for that one!

Girl's day!

Audrey and I had a girls only day today. Ben is at "that" stage where it is hard to have one on one time with Audrey, so we set out to bond today. We saw "Despicable Me" in 3D, ate popcorn and went to CFA for lunch and each got a pair of new shoes. What more could a girl ask for? The movie was awesome and the most fun was watching Audrey reach out and try to grab the 3D images. She also kept saying "this is just like in real life!"

3D glasses are so flattering!

Spoon, finger, hand

Ben. He hates being tied down to a high chair, or even sitting still for more than 30 seconds at a time. At least once a day I get him to sit for 5 whole minutes for a meal. He started out with a spoon, moved to a finger, and then ended with a hand. He loves using forks and spoons, but ultimately decides that his hands are more efficient.

As it turns out, it all tastes the same no matter what the delivery method.

It's a tough life....

....for the kids at Camp. They don't care about showers or sweat. They just have fun!

Thanks to cousin Heidi for the picture.

Already?

She's already getting jewelry from admirers. A fine homemade "crystal" necklace from her favorite fella.

The princess and....

...whatever she wants Ben to be. I can only imagine what it would be like to have a big sister, as I am the little sister myself. This dynamic will be interesting to watch as it continues to unfold. Right now we have the Princess and....you name it. So sweet, most of the time.

16 months

Time flies, that's for sure. It has been 16 months since bouncing baby Ben-ben blessed us with his presence. We could not possibly be having more fun than we are. Happy 16 months Ben!

Always helpful, especially when water is involved.

Can you guess why our plants are dying?

Ta-da!!!!

We tried taking the training wheels off a few months ago and it did not go so well. I took them off today though and she hopped on and rode it away without me even hanging on for a second. I guess when you're ready, you're ready. GO GO GO AUDREY!!!

Rain drops keep fallin' on my head...

...and he is enjoying every single drop!

Me too!

Can't give one kid ice cream without giving it to the other as well...

Buzz worthy

There's a first time for everything, and I am sad to report that Audrey got her first bee sting- right on the forehead! Ouch!!! It was quite a dramatic and traumatizing situation. However, time does heal all wounds, and ice cream accelerates that process.

The sting.

The Rx.

Thrills, not skills.

Okay, so I dusted off the sewing machine and have been a sewing machine myself lately! Har, har! My skills are not great, but I can make a few things, and it's really the thought that counts anyway. Today I made a sleeping bag and pillow for Clara Mara, per Audrey's request. She is sooo over the moon thrilled with it. She tells me Clara is too. This day was just made a whole lot brighter by the joy and pride in Audrey's face when Mommy made something that she thinks is the coolest.

Daredevil

This is not the best depiction of Mr. Daredevil, but it's the bset I could do with his fast moving self. Little Man likes to throw things and also likes to climb on EVERYTHING. His latest thing is to stand on top of every toy that he can. If it is remotely steady, he will teeter on top of it and laugh hysterically. Oh boy. I guess that's a boy for you.

33

Happy birthday to me.

 Not a birthday picture, but a picture from my mom today with a birthday wish. Ahh, the good ole days. Yes, this was a "dress up" dress and not an everyday outfit. They was one of two clogging dresses given to us from someone. They had jingle bells in the skirt. I remember being able to do all the splits in the skates. Bizarre memories. (Melinda got to wear the purple one like this 'cause she was the skinny one).

Memorable converstion

"Mommy, I really want to tell "______" that I want to marry him, but I'm just too nervous."


"Well, you are too young to get married anyway, so you don't have to tell him right away."


"You're right Mommy, I will wait until I am 5."

HANNAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh if only I could be as excited as two 4 years olds about anything. Hannah is Audrey's 2nd cousin once removed or something like that, but we'll just go with "cousin." They are only 2 months apart in age and were 2 peas in a pod, or 2 fish in a bucket, and just plain thrilled to see each other. They had good, good times.

Until next time, Hannah.

Miscellaneous Camp

The weather was beautiful. It is so funny to go from space heater to fans in the span of 3 or 4 days, but that's Camp weather for you. There is a certain air of nothingness to Camp, in the best sort of way. I really kind of wish that there was no cell phone access, but just a pay phone attached to a tree for emergencies.

We both remember this toy! Thanks Maggie for letting us play with it while you sleep.

Clara Mara House is tucked in for the night. She is Audrey's current lovie. However, she was most unfortunately left with Aunt Kady at Camp and we will not be reunited until late July.

B, Maggie, Kady. 3 people looking at 3 different cameras.

A view from below

A view from the Sleeping House.

It's a dog's world a t Camp. Chew to your heart's content.

Impossible to get everyone to smile, or even look at the camera at the same time.

Catching the first fish at Camp!

The boat house.

Ben spent 80% of his time at Camp on this step. There were so many wind chimes dangling just out of his reach, and so many people to look at in each room.

Fungus. It's a tradition. there are fungus masterpieces dating back for decades. These fungus things grow on downed trees and you an write on them with sticks and they seem to last forever. This was the ONLY fungus we found, I guess the trend is catching among Lake Titus-ites, because we only found this one because we got off the trail a bit and this was on the bottom of a fallen tree. Audrey wrote her name on it to commemorate her 2010 experience.

The Log Book

Every time someone visits Camp, they write in the Log Book. It does not matter if you have been there before, never been there before, are part of the family or have found the place by accident. The Log Book has been kept for many years, and it is a wonderful history of Camp and the adventures within its walls.

Audrey writes in the Log Book for the first time.

P.S. These are some of my favorite pictures from the trip. So deep in thought, and ingrained in Camp history forever!

The dogs

Ok, so some of youa re asking why in the world we decided to take a 16 hour trip with 2 giant animals. the dogs are part of Camp and Camp is a heaven of sorts for the dogs. Not to mention that Murphy's Mommy, brother's and sister are there and they all get to  swim and roll in the dirt together.

Bauer, Macklin (brother), Gracie (Mommy), Murphy, Stella (sister), Ridley.

Mt. Immortelle

There are two trails to hike at Lake Titus, or at least 2 that I know of. Elephant's head is one, and last time In was there it was told to me that we were all going to die of Poison Oak, so we went for the tougher of the trips and climbed Mt. Immortelle. Audrey thought we were going to the Elephant Hotel, which would be a great combo of the two. It's the harder of the two and Audrey has been up it before, but she was the one in the Ergo. The weather was great and once she realized that it was hard, but we were NOT turning back, she sucked it up and was amazed at the view from the top.

Mud bath = heaven for dogs.

The sun is in my eyes, so I will steal Mommy's glasses.

Mud + Dog = happiness. Also a total mess.

This is sooo beautiful, Mommy. We made it to the top!

Mommy freaks out because they are so close to the edge.

The Swing

This porch wing is not exactly on a porch, but near the porch. It is a classic spot for family photos, lazy afternoons, and deep conversation.

Audrey and Pop put the swing up together and were caught in a "moment" as Audrey pushed Pop in the swing. 

Kady and Pop having their moment on the swing.

Trying to get the classic Camp family photo. Three out of four ain't bad.