getting settled

I'm in an unpacking FOG.  Gary started work last Monday.  Hayden started school last Monday.  Layla started school last Tuesday.  I will start looking for a job, but first I must get the house all settled.  It seems every time I turn around there is another room to unpack or another bill address to change.  

Moving is not easy.  It takes forever and it builds character.  I've been cranky, but I know there is an end in sight.  I feel like I'm about 80 years old, but once I start working out again I'll feel so much better.  I'm planning to run like Forrest Gump.  Running with music always makes me feel better about life!

I make it all sound terrible and boring, but we have had some fun too.  

 Saturday we went out to see Auntie and Donny Ray at Lake Waco.  They were doing a little camping and so we went out to explore.

Hayden climbed all in this cedar tree.  He's allergic and his allergies all all jacked up today.

It was so pretty and peaceful.  Hayden had fun skipping rocks.

On St. Patrick's Day we went out on the town for an adult night with friends.

We had tons of fun.  It was nice to have a few drinks and unwind a bit.

I ran into my old boss from years and years and years ago.  I may have squealed out loud when I saw her.  Or it might have been a scream or holler.  Gosh I was just so happy to see her.  She's an amazing person and I can't wait to reconnect with her now that I'm LIVING IN WACO AGAIN. WHAT?  YES, I AM!  It is finally sinking in that I moved back!

We ended the night with some hibachi and sushi.  It was a perfect night out with fun buddies.

Our puppies are loving the backyard.  They are always laying in the sunshine and rolling in the grass.  We have a pet door and Daisy has it down!  Lily, not so much.  She's fit before, but for some reason she doesn't like to come in the pet door.  She will bolt out of it but not in.  It's only been a week, so we'll give her more time!

Well ....  there is our weekly update getting settled in our new but old house in our new, but old town of Waco. We are blessed!

fall camp out in the park

Our neighbors and friends have been talking to us about the fall camp out for months.  Every year in October everyone pops their tents in the park and camps for the night. I lost count of how many tents there were.  It was crazy y'all!!  The kids were so excited!!

I was in awe of all the tents covering the huge grassy park area.  Everyone had tables filled with food and fire pits galore.  The kids went to each tent Trick or Treating and then after dark a movie screen played Casper and we all lit our fire pits.  It was so much fun!  

Gary and I met many more neighbors and it seems like everyone had a fun time.  Our kids got to run wild in a safe environment, so that was good for them and their independence.  

The four of us ended up going to sleep a little after midnight.  I was worried about the sleeping arrangement and getting some shut eye because of the noise.  We were all so tired though that we fell fast asleep.  It was almost like the sound of the other campers talking and moving about was like white noise.  We always camped in our pop-up trailer, so I'm not all that fond of sleeping on the ground!  Ouch!  My back is sore, but maybe next year we'll invest in a few air mattresses.  Funny thing, a man was passing out cards for discount chiropractic care.  He was spot on with that!!  I totally need to visit the chiro after a night on the ground, but it was totally worth it in the end!

this is a camping photo dump

This weekend was Lily's first camping trip.  She loved exploring and smelling all the smells.  She got 

herself into some trouble on Sunday morning.  She found a thorn, or some stinging nettle.  She was a mess for a good two hours.  We finally took her to the water and she was much better.

Breakfast is one of my favorite camping meals.  We took 18 eggs and a 3 pound sausage roll.  We still have sausage left, but we devoured the eggs.  At the last minute I threw cheesy grits into the camping bag and they were a huge success.  Layla requested avacado and they were a bit hit.  They always hit the spot with whatever we're eating!

Lily loved seeing the ducks and I think she would have chased them, so I'm glad she was on a leash!

Hayden had a fun time finding frogs.  That boy loves digging in the dirt.  He found so many frogs and caught lightening bugs too.  He's a nature lover!

Daisy seemed less than impressed to be camping this time.  She didn't like the leash she had to be on, but those are the rules!!  She mostly enjoyed curling up in her chair watching all the action.  Yes, she has her own camping chair.

My favorite dinner was beef fajitas.

Sunday morning Gary made the eggs and sausage and then he grilled a pineapple and that ended up being our favorite sweet treat, other than smores of course.

We indulged in fudge stripe s'mores.  Yum Yum.  We used Reese's, marshmallows and fudge stripes.  It was a delicious treat for the kiddos.  We enjoy getting creative with our s'mores!

Daisy wasn't a fan of the water, but Lily enjoyed walking around a little bit.

I honestly thought Lily would get in and swim like crazy, but she didn't.  She's cautious like her momma!  She licked the water and sniffed around.  She did end up swimming, but not too much.

I had Gary take one picture of me....see I really was there.  I'm always on the other side of the camera!  And as you can see, Hayden is exporing, as usual!

The kiddos enjoyed the sandy beach at our campground.  It was pretty private and we were all alone on Monday.  We had the whole beach to ourselves. 

We ended up taking our new floats out to the middle of the lake and hanging out with our friends who have a boat.  The kids loved lounging on this fun float.  They were in the water so much this weekend.  They really love the water like their daddy!

We have a stove top inside the camper, along with a shower, sink, toilet and air conditioner.  We decided we wanted to do mac n cheese the old fashioned way.  We boiled water and made up a little cheesy mac for the kiddos to go with our brats.

Monday we put the jet ski in for a few hours because the lake was so quiet.  I'm not a jet ski fan, so this was fine with me.  We played around for an hour or so and then we headed back to clean up and head out, back to our home.  

Lily did not want to go home.  She tangled herself in hopes we could stay forever!  She's a great camping dog!  We managed to have a wonderful and safe time.  Layla and Hayden each got a bloody knee, Daisy had a hurt paw for about 10 minutes and of course Lily was itching with something, but we had a great weekend and can't wait to go back soon. Whew, longest sentance ever!  

let's camp!

We're camping for my birthday weekend! YAY!!

We arrived at the campsite this afternoon and had to get everything set up.  I love to feel at home right when I get there.  This is our first camping trip in a few years, so it took us a few extra minutes to get everything set up.  

Layla is making sure the hammock works ok! ;)

Hayden is making sure he'll fit on the jet ski daddy brought from work.  We love being able to try out new motorsports toys !

Gary said we look like Sanford and Son, but we have everything we need to camp, even though it's a little cluttered!

After we got everything just right we had dinner and then ventured out for a walk to explore the campgrounds alittle more.  What a great sunset view!!

I love all those characters behind me!  I'm excited for a fun weekend!

Sunday Funday!

We ventured out today to explore more of our new state. 

We had high hopes of doing tons of camping while living in Ohio, but it just never happened.  Gary worked so hard and his boss wasn't a fan of him taking time off, so he worked a ton and our camper just sorta sat there.

That won't happen here!  We have a lake very close and today we found multiple campsites we fell in love with.  Just being near the lake got our family all happy and ready for springtime and summer.  We will be some camping crazies as soon as the weather turns warmer!

Once we got our camping plans mapped out we drove to one of our favorite sporting goods stores about 16 miles away.  Both kiddos got new tennis shoes and Layla got shorts for soccer.  Yes, she is going to play soccer this spring, as will Hayden.   They are both excited and so am I!  We ended our outting at a BBQ restaurant near our house.  It was okay, but not as good as Gary's brisket.  The fried pickles were delicious though!  They had a side dish I'd never had before called fried corn.  They seasoned a cob of corn and lightly fried it.  We all loved it and I can't wait to try to dulpicate it here at home.  We had a funday Sunday indeed!

our last camping adventure of the summer

Last weekend we had our last camping trip of the summer.  We went to Lake Whitney and met up with another family.  They decided to take their boat and vacation at Lake Whitney which just happens to be one of our favorite lakes!  We love this particular family because we all just click!  I'm sure you know what I mean.   Anyway, this post is packed with pictures!  

This is our campsite.  It was perfect.  We had a nice breeze coming off the water.  We could see our friends in their boat as soon as they pulled up to the dock. 

Hayden and Layla usually explore and play while Gary and I set up the campsite.  Gary does all the work outside the camper, and I do all the organizing on the inside of the camper.

Standing on the table is so inappropriate. sigh.

See the boat?  Our friends are ready for us to play!

All the kids together splashing in the water.

Hayden and his best buddy Jake.

Layla and her best buddy Maya.

Ahhhh! It's boat time!

The kids ove jumping off the back of the boat and the adults love floating in the water watching our kids show off!

I love the lake and the big puffy clouds!

Hayden got so relaxed he fell asleep.  He looks like a baby boy in this picture.  He kills me.  He was OUT like a light.  Big boy was exhausted!

Becky and I decided to try out the Sting Ray.  I'm so glad we did.  IT was tons of fun and I laughed to hard the entire ride.  It was an awesome time!

One of our favorite parts of the camping trip was seeing all the deer!

Daisy thinks she's a princess.  Sometimes we have to hand feed her while we are camping. 

Layla and Gary are the only ones that can get her to do her business.  She won't potty for me while camping.  Layla walked here several times a day on the road around our campsite.  Like I said, she thinks she's a princess.  If she gets grass burrs in her fur she bites them out and they stick to the fur around her mouth.  It's too funny!  She's a mess!

Hayden got a sticker in his foot, so dad to the rescue!

Hayden decided to go through the tackle box and the tool box.  He's cranking on his foot.  I just had to take a few pictures of him.  He's a goof!

The munckins are ready to fish before the storm hits!

I loved watching the clouds and seeing the rain storms come in!

It rained all afternoon!

So we watched golf and the kids watched a movie in the camper.

Once it stopped raining we went to our friends campsite to do some fishing before dinner.

Hayden and Jake played with the remote control boat...

and Layla and Maya played with fishing worms!

Doin' a little fishin'!

Becky caught one!!!

Hayden rode the Sting Ray too!!!!  I was so proud!

We had the best weekend away camping and fishing and swimming!

I am so thankful the kids enjoy camping, or at least act like they do!  heehee!  Gary and I love it!  We will miss being able to sneak away for weekend camping trips in the fall.  Once school starts that will be hard to do!  School starts TUESDAY!

If you have reached it to the end of this post you are a rock-star.  Whew, that was long.

Have a great Sunday!