Our Annual 4th of July Camping Trip

We are home and happy after a wonderful camping trip up in Oregon at Fort Stevens with Dave's side of the family. I was actually really sad to have to leave and wish we could have stayed longer! (Never thought I'd hear myself say that being 7months prego, with a toddler, and driving a total of 28 hours there and back! And sleeping on the ground, big belly and all) But yes. This camping trip was probably the MOST relaxing trip we have been on with Caleb. EVER! I can't believe I just said that either. I knew once we got through the drive we would have a good time, but I didn't realize just how good it would be. It was beautiful, gorgeous, green, and perfect weather. Not too hot and not too cold. The ocean and lake were both walking and or short biking distance away. Really does it get much better than that? This was Caleb's 3rd camping trip and now that he is mobile, it was just a ton easier. He was so much less fussy. He slept better, and was just all around a much happier 'camper' than last year. So, yes, It was worth our horror hotel experience on Wednesday night (we drove to Redding, got to a hotel, Caleb partied till 3:30. Slept a total of 4 hours Wednesday night. Dave got a total of 2hrs of sleep, and somehow we made it to the camp sight Thursday late afternoonish all of us in one piece.) Friday we spent the day at the beach and the lake (Caleb digging and playing in the sand, Dave and I relaxing) Saturday we all rode our bikes to the historical area and explored around there. Sunday we did some more beaching and laking and Caleb went in a little sail boat for the first time and loved it. And Sadly, Monday we packed up and went home. And I may have shed a tear or two when Dave left for work that afternoon. Our family camping trip is over, but the pictures and memories remain! Can't even imagine the double fun it will be with two boys in the future. ;) Here is my picture overload from the trip....

We have finally arrived at our destination! Ready for a bike ride

Beach Bound
Eating and playing in the sand, two of Caleb's favorite things to do

Take a look at those sandy little toes!
Very focused
All tuckered out after playing at the beach all morning
Headed to the lake



More digging
The boys
Giles photo opt
cousins on a ride
Exploring the historical area

Caleb taking Auntie Mary and Uncle Craig for a drive
cousins


more exploring

happy as can be in the dirt

Shipwreck from the 1900s

Caleb's best pal on the trip. Cousins :)
Hanging out by the lake
weee! 'grapa'
first ride in the sailboat


And loving it!
My sweet and wonderful hubs :)
Hugs for Grandma
Bedtime

Giles photo opt
headed home. What a fun camping trip!!!

20 Months

I completly forgot to post Caleb's 20 month stats! And now he's basically 21 months, but oh well...
Dear Caleb-
I can't believe you will be two in just a few months! You are growing and learning so much everyday. You bring us so much happiness and we love you more than you'll ever know. Here is what you have been up to this month.

You are 34" inches long and 33lbs
You are still eating everything in sight and love your meats and veggies. You really love peas and soy beans 'pees' and 'bees' and blueberries.
It's hard to keep track of all the words you know now because you repeat almost everything we say. Here are some of your newest and most used words.
please 'pease'
peas 'pees'
beans 'bees'
pee pee and poo poo
auntie katie 'k te'
auntie mary 'mare'
bye bye
the abcs 'a b c d e'
numbers '1 2 3'
that's all that I can think of right now, but you are repeating so much of what we say that it is hard to keep track. You are getting much better at communicating what you want without us asking you first, but you still need a lot of reminders to use your words when you are frustrated
you love the dirt and mud and flowers and could pick or dig all day long if we let you
you love reading books and sit and read quietly in your bike trailer or in the car or your room, but you always love having us read to you
you are taking swimming lessons this summer and did great for your first one. You are doing so much better in the water this summer and like having water over your head now and splashing in the pool or dipping your toes in the ocean.

We love you so much Caleb Lincoln!

This weekend

Was spent relaxing, napping, soaking up the sunshine, splashing in the water, and spending time together after a week apart. I heart the weekends. Hope everyone had a nice weekend too!

Papa

The only person Caleb would leave me for. His papa. When Papa was around, I was not wanted. Not that I minded. Holding 30 pounds of toddler (and 30 lbs of baby) can get tiring fast. So, here are some pics of Caleb and his papa. Not the best quality of pics, but the sweetness of the moment is there. And I'll just be having a little heart melt over here.

As a side note, maybe I'll just share this little story. One night last week, Papa was on 'babysitting duty' while all us girls did a Walmart run. Caleb was in bed, and when we left, (he must have known it was only papa home) he decided it was party time. A little watching of Toy Story and some ice cream from Papa and I think that pretty much bonded them for the rest of the week. (And mama didn't find out about it till the next day, what mama doesn't know, won't hurt her right?)

The Skirball Cultural Center

While we were down in So Cal, my aunt took us to the Skirball Cultural Center. She takes my cousins (her grandchildren) there a lot and was so excited to take Caleb. We went to the Noah's Ark Exhibit. I'm not sure how to even put into words how cool it was. All the animals and exhibits were made out of recycled material. Everything is very hands on for the kids and educational. The kids make music, crafts, play, explore, climb, and much more. It was a fun day! Can't wait to go back and take Dave.
Here are just a few pics from the day.

Home Sweet Home

A long week without hubs and dada. But a fun week with family. The last time we were away from Dave this long, Caleb was just a mere 2 months old. And now he's almost two. Can hardly believe it. A week without my hubs made for a very joyful reunion and a much deeper appreciation for him. Caleb was so excited to wake up and see his 'dada'. He just kept giving him hugs and kisses and repeating hi dada over and over. So sweet.

I am so glad we got to spend the week down with my family though. Caleb had a ball. Despite his lack of sleep he was as happy as ever and soaked up all the attention. It was nice to have some time with my family. We had dinner together almost every night and that hasn't happened since high school!

This week we are preparing for our camping trip in Oregon with Dave's family. I'm so excited for Caleb because I know he is going to be in heaven with all the dirt and outside time. Not looking forward to the grand total of 24 hours of driving there and back-prego and all. What a girl will do for her boys. Once we survive the drive, I will be happy to be camping with my boys.

So this week will consist of packing, packing, and more packing. And I do love packing :)

Happy Monday!

And I have lots of pics to catch up on so they will be coming....

So Cal

We are hanging out in SoCal this week while Dave is in Maryland for work. I'm enjoying all the extra time with my sisters and Caleb is loving all the extra attention on him. Today we spent the afternoon at the Aquatic Center down here. I figured it was such a hit the first time up north, why not a repeat down south? The water felt especially great in the 100 degree weather! Yikes.