Camping in Big Bear

The last weekend in August we took a short family vacation and headed up to the local mountains and went camping by Big Bear Lake.  We were brave.  We went tent camping for the first time with two toddlers.  We had tent camped in Sequoia when Katelyn was about 10 months old, but last year, we opted to do the cabins when we went to the Monterrey area.  Tenting overall went pretty well.  It was sooooo nice that Brooklyn was walking as we had done the crawler in a tent once before and I DO NOT recommend it.  The girls seemed to enjoy being outdoors.  They also liked sharing a room in the tent and the first night it took them quite a while to go to sleep - we heard a lot of giggling.

We brought our bikes up there and our campground was right next to the bike trail that goes along one side of the lake.  We were also able to walk around town one afternoon (and of course get some yummy ice cream).

S'mores around the campfire!

The girls were able to get some reading in while we were camping:

Kyle & Katelyn out on a dock when we went to town:

I think we might have to make this a yearly tradition.

A Bike Trailer

At the beginning of August  - yes, it was a busy month - we purchased a bike trailer.  We really wanted to have it by the end of the month when we went camping in Big Bear (more details in a later post).  The girls (especially Katelyn) really enjoy the bike trailer.  We haven't been able to use it as much as we would like because it basically hasn't been below the 90's since we bought it.  We were able to use it in Big Bear and we went for a ride with some friends on Labor Day.

This pretty much captures how the rides go.  B is usually trying to take off her helmet or Katelyn's while Katelyn sits and enjoys the ride.  We have learned to put lots of distractions (books, toys, snacks, etc.) in the trailer so that they don't bother each other too much.

The curtains are done!

I finally finished my project!  I only had the material for about 9 months.  The nursery has never had curtains, although I always had good intentions.  The thing that really threw me was the top window, which as an arc, and I was having a difficult time trying to decide what to do with it.  The bedding in the room has pinwheels and I found the perfect window curtains that are the same blue and brown with pinwheels.  There are also pink pinwheels to make the room a little more girlie.

B is walking!

Brooklyn starting walking the first week in August, just after she turned 14 months.  It has been great to be able to set her down and we are able to go outside more frequently now.  She loves being able to walk around and play with her toys.  She also frequently drags her blankie everywhere.

This is her typical blankie pose (sorry the lighting isn't great).

2 fingers in the mouth - she has done this since she was about a month old.

Love this girl!

Mammie & Poppa

Mammie & Poppa came to see us a week after Micah was born.  They stayed at our house, but visited baby Micah several times.  The girls of course loved the attention of having someone read to them whenever they wanted.  The weather was very hot, so we were a little limited in the activities we could do, but we did make it to the local outdoor mall, where the girls could ride the train with Poppa & Mammie.

We stopped at Bass Pro Shops on the way to visit Dan & Laura.  Katelyn was in awe of the boats and all the stuffed animals.  This was a typical reaction :-) .

Brooklyn was just learning to point at objects.

We also made it to the Orange County Swap Meet, but it was so hot, we didn't stay too long.  We are looking forward to when Mammie & Poppa visit again, hopefully in early December for the birth of my niece.

He's Here!

Well, this might be a little late, but my nephew is here!!! Micah Joseph arrived on August 9.  He was 9.3 lbs, which we were not expecting.  He's a cutie and his cousins love him - wanting to touch and kiss him as much as they can.  We attended his baby dedication when he was one month old on September 9.  We love Micah!

The morning after he was born:

Cousin Love!