camping part two

     camping part two.

   

^^exploring.^^

^^a good pouting log.^^

^^campsite view day two. and the dogs make an appearance.^^

^^snuggly babe, toasted honey buns, coffee and a view. not a bad start to the day.^^

^^our final campsite with three other couples. thankfully we missed the storm in the background.^^

^^his guy loves popcorn and we love him! go jiffy pop!^^

^^our campfire...due to the burn ban.^^

such a great trip. we spent each night at a different campsite and drove 4x4 trails throughout the days. it gave us a new perspective of a part of colorado that we hadn't spent any time in before. we spent time around crested butte, taylor park and buena vista. i've since decided we must go back to taylor park and spend some more time because it is my new favorite part of colorado.

we feel so much more confident now about taking the kids (and dogs) and hope to get a few more camps in before summers end. christopher's residency will be finished (!!!) next summer and we have no idea where we will end up, so we want to make the most of our time here. 

advice on camping with kiddos: 

LOTS of wipes. we used every sort imaginable for just about everything. i packed more than i thought we could ever use in four days and we ran out. thanks for that advice sarah.

forget about bedtimes. camping is too exciting to have any sort of normal routine. 

leave the toys at home. nature is the ultimate playground. harper was always entertained. and if your kids do get a little bored, come up with fun challenges...like find the biggest walking stick or who can collect the most rocks or how deep of a hole can you dig in the ground?

babies are excellent campers. i was so nervous about taking our four month old son, but he was amazing. he slept beside us in the tent. (we asked a pediatrician for his advice on this matter) just make sure they wear an extra layer and a hat. i also put him in the baby mittens because it got pretty chilly at night. and we didn't have to worry about packing food or snacks for him since he is nursing. also, since he is not yet mobile we didn't have to worry about him getting into things he shouldn't. (huge!) 

we took harper's training toilet. since it is so small, we thought it might be easier to take this trip than to teach her to squat. also, less messy, because she has squatted before! 

most of all have fun and don't worry. (funny advice coming from me, right?) it does all work out and it is such a magical time for kids and grown ups too.

camping with two babes, two jack russell terriers and a few crazy friends pt.1

last month we went camping for the first time as one big happy family. christopher was really excited to give it a go. i on the other hand was a little more apprehensive. (i tend to be a bit of a worst case scenario worrier...what if the baby cries all night long and bears come looking for said crying baby? OR what if the dogs chase a deer and we lose them forever? OR what if harper falls down a cliff?...that type of thing.) but, worried as i was, i knew that we would have an absolutely incredible memory making adventure. and we did. and after four fun filled days, we made it home safe and sound...and all got a really good scrubbin'. we took a lot of pictures and bare with me, but there are two parts. i really tried my best to narrow it down!

^^a little hike to a beautiful waterfall (that i was standing in front of.) oops!^^

^^this kid loves the tent. and it is the biggest tallest tent i have ever been in!^^

^^emerald lake. looking pretty emerald.^^

^^my sweet mountain men.^^

 ^^we did some pretty crazy 4x4 trails. with the kids. and the dogs. they are awesome.^^

^^roasting hot dogs. since there was a burn ban in colorado, we took the coleman stove and did all of our cooking off of that.^^

 ^^dream cabin.^^

such a fun adventure. part two up soon. 

sawyer thomas

introducing our son, sawyer thomas. born on a cold, snowy valentine's afternoon. he came into the world quickly and we have fallen in love with his sweet spirit.

i feel so incredibly blessed right now. our family has transitioned from three to four so effortlessly. harper is absolutely smitten with sawyer and is just about the sweetest big sister i ever have seen.

p.s. big sisters just wanna have fun.

photos from sawyer's newborn session with andy prinsen.

lessons

last week i headed to the salon to get a hair cut and left these two alone for a few hours. when i came back, i asked what they did. not much they said. then i saw these little gems when downloading photos.

photo lessons with dad and her first two pictures. sigh. i love them.

our days continue to be slow around here as the weather has been cold and i am moving at a snails pace. harper seems to understand that i am not able to do as much right now. she keeps telling me, "daddy is big and strong and you have a baby in your tummy, so you can't carry me." yes.

from the garden: zucchini bread

As we near the end of our gardening season and our refrigerator is overflowing with zucchini and squash, I thought I would share my favorite recipe using zucchini. It is my favorite hearty bread, especially on a crisp fall morning paired with a chai tea. mmm.

I make the healthier version, since we use it as a breakfast bread. It would be delicious with a little whipped cream and coffee for dessert. I hope you'll try it!

Zucchini Bread

3 eggs
1 c. oil
2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
3 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3 tsp. cinnamon
2 c. grated, peeled zucchini (approximately 3 medium sized)

Beat eggs, add oil; then add sugar and vanilla. Sift flour and measure; sift again with other dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to egg mixture and mix well. Mix in zucchini. Pour into 2 greased and floured loaf pans (9x5). Bake at 325 for about one hour or until done.

*For a healthier alternative, substitute half of the oil with 1/2 cup of natural applesauce and omit 1 cup of sugar. I also do not peel the zucchini for added nutrients. Whole wheat flour can also be mixed in for an added crunch and flavor.

the island

the island was amazing. no words. just images and the faint smell of the salty ocean in my memory.

p.s. if you are in seattle or visiting, i highly recommend taking the ferry to the san juan islands.