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.

The Buzz Brothers

I earned another merit badge today.  I shaved a dog! Murphy was soo matted after having the time of his life at Camp that he had to be shaved. I admit, it was fun, but after a little while I realized that he has  ALOT of fur!!!! I shaved on and think I did a pretty good job for my first time out of the box. Who needs the DVD that is included with the kit!!!

The Chateau

No one could have possibly been more excited to be taking an RV to Camp than Audrey, A CAMPER, A CAMPER!!!! Let me see, was it hour 10 or 12 of the return trip when she said "I am really tired of being in this camper" about every other minute!!!! Ditto Audrey. Emphatic body dittos.

Fourth of July @ Lake Titus

A perfect day. Except for the part where we had to leave.

Testing, 1, 2, 3.

Every car seat I have ever owned has been inadvertently tested by a feline. Just put a car seat in the house somewhere and a cat will find it. If your cat cannot not get comfortable in it, then toss it. This new one is no exception.

Operation Christmas Card

Ok, so I have taken the easier route and am posting about 10 years of Christmas instead of sorting through hundreds of Camp pictures. Jeff and I have been mentally planning a Christmas Card memory photo-thingy for awhile now, but we waited 10 years to do it. So, here it is. Please note that I pay professional photographers to take pictures of my family for a reason. I know, there is a whole bunch 'o reflection and crookedness.

Hold on to your hats!

July. What an eventful month so far, and you know there is much more to come (7/11). I will be posting bunches of pictures from the CAMP adventure we just returned from today. By the time I get that all posted and all the laundry done, it will be time to head off to South FL for another adventure. I thought summer was supposed to be spent relaxing with an umbrella style drink in my hand and the kids in camp 24/7. Oh, that was a momentary daydream. We are having tons of fun, we just go to the far corners of the east coast to do it. Stay tuned.