7 posts tagged “fun”
Taking a nod from something I do on my other blog ... here are the things I loved about our camping trip, and the few things that I very much did not.
Loving
- Time spent with friends. We go to know each other better and really enjoyed hanging out without a bunch of other distractions.
- Good food. Like Natalie says, everything tastes better when you are camping!
- Beautiful scenery. God created a wonderful world for us to enjoy, and we were up in the mountains with gorgeous views, even at night due to the mostly full moon and stars.
- While we had some tense moments, Stephan really did a great job
listening to us and staying close by. He's getting to be such a big boy.
- I remembered my Tylenol PM and took my iPod, so I got some sleep (though it had to be in the car).
- A willing hubby. This is probably the biggest thing for me. I know he didn't really want to go, but was willing to give it a try because I was excited about it.
Loathing
- This is sort of both I guess. We were very thankful to have some borrowed gear, a tent and an air mattress and sleeping bag ... however, somehow, wires got crossed and we'd thought it was an 8-person tent and a queen sized air mattress. When we got the tent up we realized it was significantly smaller but workable. The mattress though was a twin. No way Andy and I were going to fit on that sucker. The sleeping bag wasn't as big as we'd thought either, and we didn't bring any extra blankets or our other camprest mat.
- Our friends were awesome and let us use their kids' queen mattress, and they used our twin, but we didn't have extra blankets or another sleeping bag, and it was super cold (and that mattress kept leaking air). We were freezing. Stephan was ok, because he had his own bag and camprest. Our friends did come by and give us a few extra blankets they had in their car and suggested we sleep with hoodies. That's when I remembered I had my hooded down jacket in the car!
- Stephan woke up a few times screaming and I ended up sleeping in the car while he snuggled daddie. At least we all got a few hours of sleep.
- You pee A LOT while preggo and it's not so fun to have to go squat in the woods or walk to a smelly outdoor potty. Really unfun when it's nighttime and cold and you want to be sleeping.
- Stephan woke up just before 6am, not getting much sleep.
- My car died while we were up there. Not entirely unexpected, but we didn't have time to replace the battery before we left. At least we have cables in the back of the car!
While my loathe list seems quite long, we really did have a lot of
fun and enjoyed the outdoors. We also learned some about what we want
in our own equipment next time we go camping, and what we'd like in a
campsite/ground. Really, the only thing we thought sucked was the whole
going-to-sleep-nighttime part, the rest was great. Andy has even said
that he'd be willing to go again, which is HUGE! Next time, we'll do
the sleeping thing a bit differently (and remember lots of extra
blankets just in case), but at least this time we learned how to do
things better next time! You live, you learn right?
I'm a bit bummed we weren't able to stay up there tonight too, but I did not want a repeat of the night before and knew I needed my rest, we all do. I also feel bad about leaving our friends up there though they are seasoned campers and will enjoy the rest of their time up there.
One last thing. Last night, we were chilly and tired and crabby, but
I prayed for us and then Stephan prayed after me ... "Dear God, thank
you for camping ... Amen." That was so sweet. He really had fun, and
did not want to come home. He's still asking where our friends are
knowing we left them up there.
We'll just have to go again, though probably not for a year or two with the baby coming.
We had a late night last night, but we finally made it to the farm around 10pm (Mountain time, in case you were curious). A long drive, one that was better after getting some dinner in Stephan. Hungry toddlers can be cranky! I was thankful to have Stephan's headlamp. He was able to draw and play with his toys with just enough light, not so much to make driving in the dark hard for daddie, just the right amount to see what he was doing. Best. Purchase. Ever.
After getting to bed and having an interesting night Stephan woke up pretty early. Not before the crack of dawn early, but early. We are having some issues getting him to sit on the potty when we ask, and him waiting too long and wetting his pants if we don't ask, so this morning has been interesting.
So far we've been out to feed the goats their morning hay, eaten breakfast, out again to feed the goats a lovely snack of apples and then riding around on the ATV after getting a little mini-lesson. I was even brave enough to take Stephan for a ride. Then he wanted to go with daddie who also did a short trip with him. Stephan and I rode around the canyon a bit too and explored that. When Stephan said he had to pee we pulled his pants down and tried to get him to pee in the canyon but he wasn't going to have that so we rushed up to the house to sit him on his potty. Still no pee-pee ... then I realize he hadn't really drank much this morning so we gave him some milk and then water when he was done with that and I'm sure we'll have a fully wet diaper when he wakes from nappy ... but at least he won't be dehydrated!
Now I'm going to mess with getting some pictures online that I've been hoarding since Christmas ... yes, CHRISTMAS! Where on earth have I been??
I love relaxing here on the farm, it's great fun!
It started snowing this afternoon around 3 or shortly after. I'd run out to get a new hair towel (mine's decided that it will smell like mildew no matter how I clean it) and go get my back and neck fixed by my chiropractor.
We came home and I pulled out the little tent we used when Stephan was a baby and we traveled so he could have a spaceship to go with his space suit that he wanted to wear today. He'd been asking to wear it yesterday too, but I thought he was asking for his swimsuit to go in the space ship, which didn't make any sense really. We had some fun going to the gym and the store and my chiro with his space suit on. Silly boy!
After Andy came home I got a call that Bible study was canceled because it was still snowing out and getting a little messy on the roads. We decided to be nuts and go out to the mall. We wanted to get another go round of shots with Santa this year and wanted to go on a night that wouldn't be super busy. What better than a weeknight when it's snowing like mad outside? The mall isn't more than a mile or two away either so off we went.
Stephan was of course playing shy and not sure about the whole thing. Loved this one toy they had that spun and lit up. That was all he wanted to do, play with the toy. No smiling for pictures. I wasn't hoping for awesomeness, just a decent picture worth paying $30 for. In the end we got ok shots, but we had to insist on them taking more and letting Stephan stand on the stool and hold the toy.
We got a couple that weren't too bad (there off to the right) ...
and here's the one we paid the big bucks for:
After all that fun we stopped for some hot chocolate and then braved the snowy drive home. Word to the wise, just because your shoes are new and comfy and you want to wear them doesn't mean it's a good idea when it's snowy outside.
Now I'm going to bed. I'm tired and I think Stephan is finally asleep too. Going to get my new hair towel out of the dryer and hopefully fall asleep very quickly!
We are off to Denver as soon as our friends come back and Andy eats some lunch. They went to church but we did not. I had an awful night last night, waking every couple hours to run to the bathroom. All the while praying that I would feel better for our drive home today.
I got some extra rest this morning and now am feeling a tad better. Just ate some chicken broth and crackers. Trying to make sure I get in enough water too. Thankfully we are not completely in the middle of nowhere like some of the stretches in Montana where there are no services for a hundred miles or so. And I'm not going to eat lunch, no matter how tasty it looks. I think that was my issue yesterday. I ate nothing for breakfast but the grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch sounded, and tasted, so delicious! Then for dinner there was ham and smashed potatoes and sweet corn and apple sauce. I even ate a little key lime pie. Probably why I was up all night in spite of taking some drugs.
We finally have a pretty nice day. The weather isn't too cold and the wind isn't blowing hard. Stephan's out back playing with Andy some and we already went out to see the goats again and wandered down by the llamas, though they won't come close enough so you can touch them, not even the baby. At least they wandered close enough to get some good pictures. When Stephan says llama it sounds like mama. So cute! In between bouts of yuck yesterday I got out to see the goats and also drove the tractor. Well, I steered it down the road at least. Stephan got to ride and we also rode on the ATV, all firsts for me. Andy did some shooting, a little target practice. He did well, maybe thanks to Duck Hunt, and it's equivalent on Wii Play?
I hope we can make it back in the spring. Think that would be fun, maybe come for a little longer weekend ... and NOT bring the sickies with us.
While I started this post before we left, I
just got the pictures all uploaded. We made it home. Took about five
hours and some drama was involved when it was time for dinner. Stephan
decided he wanted nuggets and then refused to eat them. We ended up
having to have the light on while Andy drove so Stephan would eat.
Interesting. Now we are home and I am exhausted. Thankfully, I'm also
feeling loads better! All ready for a fun Monday washing clothes and
stuff and getting settled in for the week ahead.
As I listen to a toddler scream ...
Andy took the day off today and we decided to head up to Breckinridge as it's right up I-70 and doesn't take too long. More time to have fun, less time and gas driving.
Seemed to take a while to get up there today but it's a pretty drive and Stephan loved the super long Eisenhower tunnel.
About halfway through the tunnel we heard a loud "POP" and thought something happened with our car, or that a nearby truck backfired. When we got to Breck we discovered that neither was the case, the altitude had poped open our bag of chips.
Here are a few more pictures of the magnificent Rocky Mountains.
We really enjoy the town of Breck. Wandering around the shops and enjoying the wonderful views.
Stephan and daddie hanging out on the bridge enjoying the sounds of the rushing river.
Sometimes we seriously contemplate moving up to the mountains, but the commutes to Denver and Boulder would so not be very fun and finding jobs nearby probalby wouldn't be all that easy. Sure is fun to trek up there for the day though.
Talk about tired. We had an interesting picnic lunch, I forgot to pack Stephan's lunchable. He did eat his cheese stick, peas and a few blueberries, but no meat. We decided to stop at Wendy's and get him some chicken nuggets. He was drowsy when we finally got there, and fell asleep during chicken nugget #2. Of course Andy and I decided we wanted to wander around a couple of the outlet shops in Silverthorne and he woke up and finished the rest of his nuggets. While I coveted a new purse from the Coach outlet, I did not get anything, and neither did Andy.
Before leaving we stopped at the restrooms and Stephan decided he had to go potty too. No, he's not potty trained yet, I think he just wanted in on the action too. Since they had a family restroom we figured we'd give it a shot, since he was interested. Very nice bathroom. There were two rooms, the first had a nice comfy chair for nursing and a diaper changing area with a sink. The other had both a normal size and toddler size potty. I've never seen a restroom like this and thought it was neat. (Hence the picture I had to take and consequently share).
Stephan also enjoyed the river and we even found a way to wander down right by the water.
The toddler is now quiet, and possibly working on falling asleep in his bed. I can't see where he is from my perch in the hall, and I'm afraid if I try and check on him he'll see me and start screaming again.
Now, on to post this at WP for NaBloPoMo. Can I just say that sometimes WP drives me nuts, esp. when I want to include photos in a post. Argh. And I bet they thought they made it better ... instead, it's worse!
Stephan loves this song. We got the free download from iTunes and then got the SnackTime album since we enjoyed the song too. The Barenaked Ladies are so fun. Best. Kids. Album. Ever. If you have a kid buy it. You'll thank me later.
Stephan went to his first movie theater movie today. He did pretty good. I was impressed. After about an hour he got antsy and never seemed to know if he wanted to sit on my lap or in the seat next to me. This theater doesn't have the ability to lift up the armrests and create a larger love seat either so that made things interesting.
He made comments throughout the movie about what was going on and would also ask me "what's that?" He was pretty nervous at first and I think got more comfortable as the movie progressed and he got used to his surroundings. My friend brought her two kids as well and some popcorn and juice boxes for the kids. Stephan ate some popcorn. I was nervous since it was his first time eating whole kernels, but he nailed that too and was really good about just eating slowly, one at a time.
On the way home he said "have fun movie" so I'm pretty sure he enjoyed himself. I enjoyed doing something completely different with him.
I like the whole summer-free-movie deal (check out the Regal & Kerasotes theater websites to see if you can check out free movies in your neck-o-da-woods). I think we may try and go see Alvin & the Chipmunks next week and I really want to see Hornton Hears a Who the week after. The next week there's Flicka which I might enjoy but who knows if it would hold Stephan's attention. Since it's free it could be worth a try at least.
The kid is really growing up! He even came home and ate fish sticks, peas and a cheese stick for lunch. The cheese dissapeared first of course and then with the help of a little ranch dressing the rest went down easy too. I'm just happy he ate something besides mac'n'cheese and hot dogs!
