Our wonderful camping weekend

We're back from a fantabulous weekend of camping at Fort Parker State Park.
I was super excited about posting pics and news, however, I discovered soon after trying to turn on the computer, it crashed. I realized my post would not happen. :( boohoo.
LUCKILY, I remembered we have a back up computer! Even though it's slower, I can at least share some news and photographs. More pics will come at a later time.
As mentioned, we had loads of fun on our camping trip. Deona, Ev and I headed out Friday morning in the motorhome to meet uncle Donato, aunt Tammy and cousin Chad. Much of the weekend was spent relaxing, cooking, eating, hiking, roasting marshmallows, laughing, enjoying not having a schedule, and watching aunt Tammy spoil Everett.

Ev's chicken feet, aka aunt Tammy's gloves.

Friday night Donato made delicious lentil soup:

We attempted to play a couple of games (RummyCube and Yahtzee) in the motorhome. I say "attempted" because we really couldn't figure out how to fit all five of us around a teeny, tiny dining table. We even attempted bringing in the long, narrow folding camping table. It didnt work, either. Oh well, it was worth the attempt. We'll have to figure out something for next time.
Saturday morning, I fixed potato and egg tacos and Deona made "Martin's Homemade Salsa" (Martin is my dad). Deona and I can easily eat a blender full in one sitting; this time, we had to share. :)

Our hike around the park:

Grammie and Grampy drove down Saturday to spend the afternoon with us; after a hike around the park, we roasted hotdogs and S'mores over the campfire.

It happend to be Don & Debbie's (Grammie & Grampy's) 40th wedding anniversary, we're glad they were able to spend some of their day with us.

After Grammie and Grampy left us, we decided to bundle up, and take a dam hike. :) The weather was clear and the air was crisp. We bundled Ev in a sweatsuit, jacket, hat and wrapped him snuggly in his stroller with a fluffy warm blanket.

On our hike to the dam, Chad and Donato took some beautiful pictures of the sunset, birds, foliage and armadillo. I didnt have my camera, so I wasnt able to get any of these worthwhile pics. I'm hoping they'll share so i can post some of them. Yes, Everett slept through the entire hike.

After returning to camp, Deona and I prepared and cooked vegetarian chili, in a dutch oven, over hot coals. It was a perfect end to a chilly day.
Sunday morning rolled around. It was time to clean up, load up, empty the gray and black water tanks (ick), say our goodbyes, and head back to our homes. :(

The drive home was treacherous; especially in a motorhome, the winds were incredibly strong. Thankfully we all made it home safe and sound.
I feel incredibly blessed to have had this opportunity. I wish you all at least one time comparable to this one...it is great for the soul, makes you calm and ready to face whatever happens. Can't wait to go camping again!

Ev's First Thanksgiving

Some pictures from today's Thanksgiving gathering. Check back for all the details.
We're on our way out for a weekend camping trip with aunt Tammy and uncle Donato. Stay tuned for pictures.

Cousin, Matthew sporting his new DOC band helmet.

Jay, round one. :)

Randee, Connor, Mimi and uncle Bobby.

Randee and Davids's son, Conner.

AJ, uncle Jim, Kelly & aunt Diann

Chris, Michelle, Aiden (Michelle's baby), Kim, and David

Brittney, Dondi & Don

Jordan, a la "unibomber" :)

The Bradshaw's

Everett with lots of slobber...

and chaffed cheeks. Poor baby.

Ev & his bestfriend, Prince (14 yrs old).

6 month pictures on hold.

We decided Everett should have his 6 month pictures taken professionally. Kiddie Kandids seemed like a good idea.

First off, the photographer was horrible! Everett smiled his typical, adorable smiles, however she managed to snap the shot late every time, so his smiles were these open-mouth-after-smiles. UGH!!! You'll see what I'm talking about later in the post.

Secondly, I guess they assume since you're there during the month of November, you're needing lots and lots of Christmas photos, so the smaller (& less expensive) packages are not available this time of year. We just couldn't justify buying the one acceptable pose in 10 sheets.

So, I guess what I'm saying is we're not purchasing his 6 month photos from Kiddie Kandids, so his six month photos will be a tad delayed. Stay tuned.

yes, that's a hand in the shot:

...and another hand.

this shot was okay:

The one pose we found acceptable:

A couple of smiles I captured, when we got home. Wish I could photoshop these smiles for the open-mouth Kiddie Kandid smiles. Oh well, maybe I'm being too critical.

Here we are, one year later...

... and our baby boy is fitting into that adorable Raccoon outfit, his Grammie bought him from Kohl's. I remember the three of us (Grammie, Deona & I) shopping the infant section, and while standing around clothing racks, Debbie (Grammie) holds up this adorable size 9 month garment and says, "Everett or Emilia could be wearing this next winter".

AHHHHHH!!! IT'S ONLY FALL, AND HE'S ALREADY WEARING IT!!!

Good grief, I can't believe it, I'm remembering just how big it looked on the hanger. sniff, sniff.

Everett sporting his fall wear, "Woodland Raccoon", by Carter's in size 9 months:

A poem i found that seems relevant to now...

My Baby Boy and Me

It's 3 am they're all asleep
And no one's here to see
As we rock slowly back and forth
My Baby Boy and Me.

His little head is feather light
tucked up against my chin
I hold his tiny hand in mine
and stroke his baby skin.

The house about us creaks and groans
the clock hands creep around
He snuggles closer to me still
and makes his baby sounds.

I love these quiet hours so much
and cherish every one
store memories up inside my heart
for lonely nights to come.

All too soon he'll be grown up
his need for Mama gone
but until then I still have time
for kisses and for song.

Time for quiet hours like this
with him cuddled in my arms
where I wish he'd always stay
protected safe and warm.

And yet I know the day will come
when this tiny little hand
will be much bigger than my own
he'll grow to be a man.

But until then he's mine to love
with no one here to see
as we rock slowly back and forth
my baby boy and me.

-author unknown

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday's Top Ten

I decided to reflect on my personal favorites for today...
1) Watching Everett practice crawling (it was mostly scootching).

2) Going for a walk this afternoon.

3) Spending some time at the park.




4) Spending time with Deona.

5) Baby Orajel.

6) Taking pictures of our growing baby boy.



7) Helping Everett feed himself sweet potatoes.

8) The sound of Everett's laughter as I tossed him in the air.

9) Listening to Everett mimic his Mama's squeal, "OUCH!" His inflection was perfect and it was apparent he was playing a mimic game. We were astonished.

10) Finding a really sweet picture of Everett and his Grampy.