Camping Adventure

We decided it was finally time to take our Wild Things camping.
Bennett has been asking, well actually begging for a fire and "marshpellows". This seemed to be the weekend to do it. Matt spent Thursday night building a platform for the back of his truck to go over the wheel wells. This way all 4 of us can sleep "comfortably". (I refuse to sleep in a tent, especially since there are big signs saying "You are in wolf country now")
We headed out Friday evening, but after 3 hours and 90 miles later and not having found the campground we went home.
Take 2 started Saturday morning. Matt decided to "improve" his platform invention and bought carpet to lay down on top. (Very nice) We loaded everything and everyone up again and headed out to find the turn off to Hawley Lake is only 15 miles from our house! As we pulled into our campsite the rain that had been drizzling stopped for a moment so we could build a fire. Bennett had already found the marshmellows and a HUGE stick to roast with. Jacks planted himself in the camp chair until he discovered the fire and wanted to play in it. We strapped him into the stroller. (Sorry Jacks, it had to be done) That night we all bedded down on our plush carpeted platform. Matt and Bennett started snoring peacefully and Jacks began his wrestling match with me. At 2:30 when he started biting, kicking, poking my eye, and trying to slurp the dew off the windows I hoisted him off onto Matt. Jacks immediately fell asleep and didn't wake up until 7. Talk about the magic touch! In the morning after a few donuts, hot chocolate, and roasted marshmellows for breakfast (we had a super healthy trip) it was time to pack up and head home. To our surpise, Matt and I decided it was actually an enjoyable trip. The boys had fun and so did we. Matt is already planning more trips for the future.
Sorry there are so many pictures. You can skip them if you want. I promise I won't be too offended.

BIG NEWS!!!

This post is for my most devoted blog watchers. Let's see who'll be the first to know!
(Mom, Michelle, & HB, I apologize for not spilling the beans sooner, but isn't it more fun finding out this way?)
However, I do have to say that I am the Master Secret Keeper!!!
Today I had my 20 week ultrasound and besides having a healthy baby, I am also pleased to announce it's a GIRL!!!!

Snakes, Snakes, and more Snakes!!!!

Where has Matt brought me!!! I have finally been awakened from my blissful ignorance that snakes only exist on the tv or in the zoo. The other day the boys and I were walking around the neighborhood and came upon a snake bathing in the sun. Fortunately Bennett didn't see it or, I'm sure, it would have become his new favorite toy. I gave it a wide birth and headed on home trying to put it out of my mind and convince myself it was just a wicked trick played by the neighborhood boys, setting out a plastic one to see who they could get to scream...it almost worked on me.
Last night Matt was in the backyard, only two steps away from our deck and started yelling for Bennett to come quick. I went out to find Matt excitedly showing Bennett a snake that was slithering through the rocks and weeds. EWWW!!! I packed myself up and headed immediately into the house, only to have nightmares all night long.
Today as Matt was mowing the lawn. Jacks was wondering around, he had gone without his shoes, as I bent to pick him up there was a snake that was only a reach away from his feet. Jacks is super lucky I thought to take him with me when I started running for the house.
Who knew snakes were real things that lived in your backyard!! Matt tried to assure me it was probably a different snake than the one I saw last night...Oh, thanks Matt, that really helped to know that we're infested!

Apache Fair

Everyone at work kept telling Matt how fun the fair down on the reservation was. There are booths galore, a rodeo, carnival rides, good food, and just tons to look at. So we packed the kids up, drove through a monsoon, and after about 40 minutes in a traffic jam due to the parade we finally made it to the fair grounds. What a HUGE disappointment! There were like 5 food vendors where they served either slimy greasy hamburgers or greasy oily pizza. The two booths that were selling things included a Bart Simpson plastic blow-up doll and spray painted shirts. We decided to wait around for about 30 minutes until the rides opened up before we headed home. We walked around looking at the different games they had until a carny accosted me. He just wouldn't take no for an answer. He had ahold of my wrist trying to force me to throw the stupid toilet paper into the stupid toilet bowl for a stupid toy. He wasn't too happy when I finally told him that I wasn't going to pay good money for his junky toys. Finally, Matt, who had been inspecting a four wheeler noticed my dilemma and came to my rescue. As we were walking away the carnies were yelling at us and being super rude. Honestly! You'd think we had were the first ones to turn them down. Bennett and Jacks got to ride a couple of rides. The carousel was okay, but they LOVED the airplanes. Good thing Matt was sitting with them though because Jacks kept sliding off the seat to the floor of the plane. We topped the day off by bribing Bennett into his car seat with a bag of cotton candy.