Camping in a Tent

I'm finally ready to do a blog update. At the end of June, the Espes, the Watkins, and we all returned to Red River for our 2nd annual camping trip. It was very similar to last year's trip, except for one tiny detail. We slept in a tent this year! I am still far from being a fan of tents, but I am happy to report that I did survive the experience...thanks to the tent being big and a space heater to keep me from freezing to death. Oh, and the scrumptious camping food definitely canceled out the horrendous campfire smell...you know, that smokey smell that stays in your clothes and hair even after they have been washed 3 times.

Did I mention that the food was yummy? We ate potatoes that would give even a marathon runner a heart attack!

The highlight of the trip (at least for me) was the horseback riding. Abby Grace and I rode a huge, as in Budweiser horse huge, horse named Brutus. We were at least 3 stories off the ground! And as we strolled along, nose to tail, along the well worn path, Abby made up a song. "Clip clop clip clop, Riding on a pony," repeat x 20. Not sure where she got it, but it was cute.

All of the kids

Finally, I should not leave out the story of our near death experience. I mean, what would a trip to the mountains be without at least one near death experience? All 3 families had decided to go up to a lake embedded within the mountains one afternoon. So with some on 4-wheelers and the rest of us in my Tahoe, off we went. Some would say that my Tahoe was filled with the chickens, but Jeremy would probably not like being referred to as a chicken...somebody had to drive the chickens! The trip should have been uneventful, and would have been, were it not for the hog trail they called a road, the fact that if we met another car we would have surely fallen off of the mountain (we met at least 3 other cars), and that a tree had fallen in the road that made it unpassable, thus leading us to have to either back up or turn around. 4-wheelers = easy assignment. Tahoe = impossible feat. After multiple attempts at backing up, with the chickens squawking, Jeremy finally insisted that we get out of the car and leave him to drive farther and find a spot to turn around. That was one of those moments that you realize how much you love your husband. I did not want to leave him in the car alone, but neither did I want to send Abby without me. It did not help that as we got out, and I quietly asked Jeremy if he was okay, his answer was, "Yes, I just don't want ya'll in the car if something happens." Thanks! Anyway, he drove on and after a few minutes we heard sounds of more 4-wheelers? No. A chainsaw? No. My car turning around? Yes! I have never gotten the full story of exactly how he did it, but I've gotten enough to know that I'm glad he had previously left us on the side of the mountain. Plus, I have a good story to tell and we all have something to laugh about on next year's camping trip.

Blog Block

I am suffering from a bit of blog block these days so posts about our camping trip, the 4th of July, and unpacking of the swim bag are currently on hold...hopefully to come soon. For now, a simple picture of Abby Grace excitedly waiting for the 4th of July Fireworks will have to suffice.

Don't Eat Her!!!

The other morning Abby, Sassy, and I went outside for a quick photoshoot. I mean, isn't this dress just the sweetest thing ever? We just LOVE Hanna Andersson...cute, soft (mandatory characteristic in Abby's world), and durable (mandatory characteristic in my world).
Our simple outing quickly turned dramatic though. Sassy started sniffing the rose bush and found what she obviously thought was about to be breakfast...a baby bird. Apparently, Abby saw the bird about the same time because she started screaming, "Don't eat her! She's my friend!!"
"It's okay, baby bird. My no let Sassy eat you. Your mama come back to get you." I didn't have the heart to tell her that her new friend would probably be consumed by a cat...

Texas, the Musical

Oh what fun we had last Saturday night!! We went to see Texas! And while the production was amazing, our favorite part was watching Abby Grace's performance. We had told Abby earlier in the day that we were going and that there would be a lot of singing and dancing. So I should not have been surprised when she insisted on wearing her ballet shoes. I let her wear them in the car, but as all ballerinas know, ballet shoes are not street shoes so she reluctantly changed back into her Crocs when we arrived. Ballet shoes or not, she spent the entire performance dancing and spinning her heart out in our little area. At one point, she tried to squeeze past Jeremy to go to the stage, telling him, "I'm just going to march, Daddy." I was so proud!!

One other neat thing, a little girl I used to babysit is one of the dancers in Texas this year. Boy, did I feel old!

Summertime Prayer

Last Sunday, as Abby Grace was enjoying one of her first of many afternoons basking in the sun in her kiddy pool, a rain cloud decided to drift in front of the sun. Naturally, the temperature dropped slightly and a cool breeze ensued. What was Abby's reaction? In true Abby Grace form, she bounced up, put her hands on her hips, and with face to the sky yelled, "God! God! Make it warm!" Of course, it started raining shortly thereafter.

Baa Baa Black Sheep

Baa Baa Black Sheep from Laura on Vimeo.

You Know You're Getting Old When...

You know you are getting old when your 3 year old daughter reports, while observing you as you nibble on a cinnamon roll, "Mama, you have baby arms. You have baby hands. You have baby feet. You have baby legs. You no have baby face, Mama."

Thanks for that, Honey.