Camp Edison

On Memorial Day weekend we decided (somewhat last minute) to go camping! It was opening weekend for several National campgrounds, and it's one of our favorite things to do as a family, so we decided to just go for it. We choose to go to Huntington Lake which is about four hours North of Bakersfield, past Shaver Lake. We checked the weather and we knew it would be cold, but we packed up and went anyway.  As we started up the mountain the temperature outside dropped dramatically. It was in the 40's by the time we got to Shaver. Still, we were excited and kept going. Then it started to snow a bit. The kids thought that was awesome, and it wasn't much, so we kept going. When we were about 10 miles from our destination, the snow really started to come down! Everything was white up ahead, and without snow chains for the truck, we had to turn around. We figured we'd check other campgrounds on the way back down to see if any had availability for the night. Boy did we luck out. 10 minutes back down the road Camp Edison had some spots available. Camp Edison is really nice. We got there early enough to choose a really great spot, one with full hookups for the trailer! It was awesome to be able to run the heat all night without having to run the generator. It was still cold, but we didn't mind a bit.

The campground had the cutest little Library/Book Exchange. It was really close to our campsite so the kids and I walked over before dinner to read some books.

We all had fun hiking around looking for firewood.

Carter found a monster of a piece and carried it back to camp all by himself. He was so proud of his work!

Our little home for the night. The spot was nice and big but we were happy to stay close and enjoy the warm campfire.

The dogs had to be leashed, and Biscuit kept whining because of that. Cammie wasn't about to let her "baby" suffer. She kept bring him water, trying to sneak him food, and of course, gave him lots of kisses.

At almost the exact minute dinner was done barbecuing, it started to snow...

...and snow...

...and snow some more.

It was actually kind of peaceful. It was getting dark, so other than not being able to go sit by the campfire we didn't miss much outside. After dinner we watched the snow fall for a while, then we all put on our jammies, snuggled up together, and watched a movie on the laptop. It was a very nice night.

(If you look closely you can see the three boys watching the snow fall from the trailer window.) 

The next morning the kids couldn't wait to go play in the snow, but we were able to delay them with hot cinnamon rolls and a movie.

Carter was so excited! He LOVES the snow.

Kyle was ready too. I made Cammie stay inside with me while I cleaned up. It was pretty muddy and I didn't want her going in and out like she has a tendency to do. She brought several of her baby dolls with her, so she was content to stay in and take care of them.

By mid-morning much of the snow had turned to slush, but there was still enough to have some fun with. Gregg and I packed everything up while the boys played. When it was time to go, they were sad to leave (as always). We all had fun and can't wait to go camping again, but next time warmer weather might be nice. ;-)

Seven Little Faces

A couple times a month (sometimes more) I get the chance to babysit for our friends Matt and Mandy. They have four kids. Macy is 3, and the triplets Evan, Ethan and Morgan, are 1 1/2.  Add that to my 2, 4, and 5 year old kids, and you get some very busy days. We spend a lot of time together, so they feel like family. I love those kids and so do Carter, Kyle and Cammie, and we always love it when we get to spend some extra time together.

7 Little Faces

Carter, Kyle, Macy, Cameron, Evan, Ethan, Morgan

 Picture time only lasted a moment.

 The 'Big' girls love to help with bottle time.

 Nap time

 Play time!

Each of the older kids usually claim a specific baby to play with and entertain.

Carter with Ethan

 Kyle with Evan

 Lunch time

It's a little chaotic, but it sure is fun!

Kyle's 4TH Birthday!

Once Kyle makes up his mind about something, it would take an act of God to change it. So, for months if you asked him what he wanted for his birthday you'd get the exact same answer, "I want donuts and a scooter with  no training wheels" (or in other words, a 2 wheeled Razor scooter.) How could we disappoint when he'd been looking forward to such a specific birthday for literally months.

 Our neighbors Dustin and Lety, and their son Riley brought donuts over for breakfast!

SO nice of them!

The birthday boy got the first pick and of course he chose chocolate.

We call him our Chocolate Monster.

Cammie chose a pink donut, no surprise there.

Carter was just happy for his brother.

 He know how much Kyle had been looking forward to it.

He kept telling him over and over,

 "It's your Birthday Kyle! Can you believe it's finally here? Happy Birthday!"

Riley and Kyle

Then of course there were a couple of presents...

Lety got Kyle new swim shorts! He loves them.

And of course, he got his new scooter!

He was on it all morning!

Later the Howland's came by to BBQ. Someone handed Uncle Matt a book, and the kids swarmed him like moths to a flame.

Kyle hates group attention so he was too embarrassed to smile for the camera.

He was able to blow out all of his candles though.

It was a very sweet 4th birthday, for our very sweet Birthday Boy!

Easter 2012

This year Easter was simple and relaxing.

We started the morning by hunting for eggs that a certain Bunny hid in the backyard over night.

 Oooo, Cammie found a pink one, her favorite!

 One left! But where could it be?

 Then we had to tear into them and find out what kind of treasures were hidden inside.

 Later we played outside with all of the "outside things" that came in the kids Easter baskets this year. Things like bubbles, flip flops, and squirt guns.

We ate a wonderful dinner that Gregg made for the family!

 What Easter dinner would be complete without deviled eggs?

 We ended the night snuggling in Mommy and Daddy's bed.

 Easter Kisses!



Pizza Night

A few weeks ago Gregg surprised the kids with a "make you own pizza" dinner. It was so much fun!

Gregg rolled out the dough for each of the kids.

 He even tossed it a few times for them. They think their Dad is so cool!

 Gregg got a variety of toppings and let them put whatever they wanted on the pizzas.

Cammie couldn't resist eating most of hers as she went.

 We managed to get a few things on her pizza before it went in the oven.

 'Beak' was able to get plenty on his pizza, and on his face.

 Cammie stole more peperoni while the pizza was baking.

 Yuumm!

It was a super fun night!

The Doctor is In

Gregg, as everyone knows, is a flooring installer, specializing in wood and tile. Unfortunately, just before Christmas this year the work slowed to a halt. Gregg tried to drum up business. He applied for countless jobs online. He had a few interviews, but nothing panned out. Amazingly, on Cameron's birthday this year he had an interview with a guy named Charlie, who owns a few of The Grout Doctor franchises in the valley. He had recently bought the rights to the Bakersfield area and needed someone to run the franchise, with the opportunity to buy it at any time. After the interview Gregg was really excited about the opportunity. Less than an hour later Charlie called and offered him the job! Some of what the job includes is cleaning, sealing, and repairing grout and tile. Gregg is really enjoying it. It's a new company in this area, but as word gets out business keeps getting better. Gregg sold his work trailer and bought a van, (it gets better gas mileage, and happens to be a moving billboard.)
The boys love their Daddy's new title as The Grout Doctor, and Carter knows that Daddy is "fixing sick floors for people" when he is at work. We are very proud of him, and look forward to seeing what the future brings.

Moral Support

A couple of days ago I noticed Cammie walking around with a sock on her arm. At first I thought nothing of it, but when she wouldn't let me take it off so that she could eat breakfast, I questioned her about it. She told me it was her Cast. I don't know why I didn't realize it sooner. That sweet, silly little girl just wanted to be like her big brother!