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!

Sunday was a funday indeed

We had a fun fall Sunday.  We had a fire to end the day and Hayden decided to protect his head with his motorcycle helmet.  His feet, legs and arms are all bare, but the face is all good. LOL!  

Silly silly boy!

We went to the park and the kids took a pretty deflated soccer ball to kick around.  They ended up playing volley ball and Layla screamed out, "pass interference!!"  Oh me oh my, the children are funny today huh?!?

We ran off some much needed energy!  

I'm going backwards in picture order.  We had cheeseburgers for lunch.  We took a drive and were hoping to find a hidden gem of a burger spot on the back roads of Georgia, but we struck out.  We ended up downtown for a late lunch/early dinner.  We tried a cheeseburger place we have been curious about since we moved here.  

Let me start by saying the food was great.  The fries were crispy and the burger was very delicious.  

I was annoyed by the cleanliness of the restaurant though.  The bathroom was a wreck and we had to ask for toilet paper and the teenager we asked was just rude.  I told her bathroom didn't have toilet paper and she said, "ok!"  She kept on doing whatever she was doing.  She wasn't concerned about TP at all.  When we went to order our food., the boy behind the counter was not helpful at all and it was our first time to eat there.  He wasn't in the mood to answer questions about the menu and in his defence it is a cheeseburger, how do you mess that up?  BUT come on, have some personality.  Anyway, the tables were all dirty and Gary and I were just plain ole disappointed.  We had higher expectations ya know. We just need to open a restaurant!  We'd love it!

After we ate our burgers on the patio we headed to the cupcake shop a few shops down the street.  They were out of cupcakes.  LOL!  We pretty much struck out downtown today, but it's all good.  We still had a fun time.    

After sleeping in we started off our day with coffee by our first fire.  We decided to light a fire to warm up because we had a frost warning.  IT was chilly indeed and we loved it.  As you can see below, Daisy loved it too.  She's such a little ham-bone, posing like a movie start princess puppy!

I'm thankful for a fun Sunday with all my people and furry animals.  I don't take a second of life for granted.  I am thankful and I know I am truly blessed!

spring fever and barefeet

When we lived in Texas I would get spring fever towards the end of February.

I would be ready for March to bring in warm and spring like temps.  This year after having lived in Ohio for the past two years, I am ready for Georgia to show me an amazing spring right now, not at the end of the month.  I want warm sunlight streaming through my kitchen window as soon as possible.  I saw the forecast though and it's going to be cold again this weekend and next week. :( 

We got a glimpse of AMAZING weather this weekend.  

I moved to Georgia with high hopes of warmth, but so far it's been cold.  Nothing like the Ohio cold, but still cold.  I keep reminding myself if I were in Texas it is cold there also.  It's cold all over the US right now.  That doesn't change the fact that  I can't wait to sweat again.  I got in the swimming pool 2 times when we lived in Ohio, because to me it never got hot enough to swim.  

I hope Georgia doesn't disappoint.  I have some high expectations.  Hahahaha!

Saturday we walked to the park to play.

{street walker selfie}

The kids were so excited to be outside running and cart-wheeling.

Look at those bare feet!  

Hoooray!

Today we walked to the end of our street and down a nature path to the lake.  Yes, I said lake.  We are near lakes again.  In Ohio we were surrounded by rivers.  Now we have a lake really close to us.  I had no idea about this fun path until my neighbor told me about it.  It's amazing!

Right now the water level is very low, but soon they will open the gates and we will have water to splash and play in.  Lake access so close to home is a fun thing!

Hayden loved throwing rocks and sticks into the creek.  

We followed the creek all the way to the lake area.

All this area will be covered in water.  How cool!!

After our nature hike to the lake we decided to head to the park again.  We had hopes of kicking around the soccer ball, but the kids just wanted to run and stick their toes into the playground sand again like they did yesterday.  I can't blame them.  Soccer will be in full swing in a couple of weeks.  I'm happy they just want to relax.  

Dad and I enjoyed watching them play a fun game of tag!  We loved having the warm sun baking our skin.  I think this little bit of sunshine is enough to remind us of what is to come when spring has finally sprung here in our new state!

summer lunch and park time

We are soaking up every bit of summer!

The kids picked Taco Bell for lunch and sat at their own table on the patio.  There was an big order of cheese rollups on that table. 

After lunch we went to a fun park in town and explored.  Us moms walked while the kids played and then we explored the pond and watched the geese play!

Summer rocks!

comfort food and an evening at the park

That my friends is Fettuccine Alfredo with grilled salmon.  I have been a little stressed lately about the process of selling our house in Texas.  When Gary got home last night I said I needed a huge bowl of pasta.  Comfort food was necessary for this chic!  I wasn't able to cook at home because there was a showing.  Our rental is on the market, so we decided to leave the house to let the people look in peace and quiet.

We like to make the kids try new foods, so we ordered Fried Calamari.  The kids tried it and didn't really like it very much.  At first we told them it was chicken, and they didn't really believe us, but they tried it.  I don't think either kid cared for it, but I love that they tried it.   I was perfectly ok with them not eating much of it....more for Gary and I!  Yum!

After our dinner out we went to a nearby park to work off some of the pasta we ate.  We were all so full and ready for bed, but we still had time to kill.  The kids had tons of fun jumping and sliding and swinging.  I enjoyed taking tons of pictures!

I am awake super early this morning because I couldn't fall back asleep after Hayden woke me up for some reason.  Then Lily was trying to eat my slipper, so I'm awake and not so bright eyed and bushy tailed.   I love my sleep, but I just wasn't able to get myself back to sleep.  Oh well, I have done a few loads of laundry and I am on my second cup of coffee.  I'm ready to take on this Tuesday!!

another post in which I'm excited about springtime

Hayden and I helped celebrate his girlfriends birthday this week.  We had the best time having lunch with Haley and her mom, Erin.  I just love this picture of the two H's.  I always joke with Erin saying we are arranging their marriage.  They are cute kids and great buddies.

I am so sad about the explosion that occurred last night in West, Texas at a fertilizer plant.  West is closer to Waco, but still close to Fort Worth.  We passed through West many times traveling all over Texas.  I have memories of eating pizza in West as a kid.  I have memories of running a FunRun in west.  I have sports memories in West.  One of my bosses was from West.  I went to WestFest many times.  I loved stopping for Kolaches during our travels.  Ahhhhh.  It's just so sad.  My heart hurts for the families that lost homes and loved ones.

My little sassy girl is killing me with her spring wardrobe.  She is so stinkin' cute, but I am about to go bonkers.  This girl will not stay in bed after we tuck her in at night.  Every night she thinks of an excuse to get out of bed. I thought the older they got the better they followed the rules.  Sheesh....

The number one reason for getting out of bed?  I need another hug.  HOW DO YOU DENY YOUR KID A HUG??  She knows the buttons to push huh?!

 If I am hugged and tucked into bed you better bet I am staying.  I'm so tired, I love sleep.  Why do kids fight it?  She will be 8 years old in July.  I can't believe she is still getting out of bed.  Gary and I are about to put our foot down and tough love is about to make an appearance.  Go.To.Sleep.Sassypants!

We played at the park today before we got Layla from school.  Ahhhhh!  The weather was amazing and this city is greening up so fast!  I love it!!!!

Hayden had soccer tonight.  He got so red faced and I was hot at practice, but I will not complain.  I loved it.  I walked about 3 miles today and then ran a mile too.  I don't know what has come over me.  I haven't ran in YEARS.  I've ran a total of 3 times since I moved here and I'm sorta liking it. I can't believe it, but now I want to beat my current one mile time.  haha!  I'm so competitive.  I'm glad I have good running weather.  Spring is here and I am thankful for all the outdoor activities we can do while soaking up the sun.  Hopefully there won't be anymore snow!

Playtime at the park

Yesterday we met our friends Vanessa and Jake at the Trinity Park duck pond.

Look at the baby ducklings. They are so cute!

Hayden and Jake had so much fun running and exploring.

and of course I was in picture taking heaven!

Look at the turtles!

There was a steep hill and we brought cardboard boxed to slide down.

Hayden wanted to slide down like he was surfing.  I was laughing so hard at him.  He has no fear.

Sliding on his hiney didn't really work, so he decided to roll down!

I am so thankful for these days I get to spend with Hayden.  I spent so many days with Layla when she was younger and I sometimes have mommy guilt about Hayden not getting time with just me like I gave her.  Okay... I'm rambling, but you know what I mean.

Bubbles!!!

And football.

The boys had a fun time at the park and so did us mommies!

I LOVE this picture of Vanessa!!  

We laughed so much yesterday and this picture paints a perfect picture of our play time.

I'm king of the world!!!!!