We took the family camping July('12)

I love camping. I really do. Those who know me can attest to the fact that I usually scream bloody murder at the presence of a bug/ or gross things of that nature. However, when I am outside anything goes, and my tolerance for those nasty little critters diminishes (with the exception of ticks and biting mosquitos) When I am camping, I get to enjoy one of my greatest loves…the outdoors! I thrive on fresh air, THE SUN, the heat, and everything green :) I also love the simplicity that camping brings. I am a firm believer in sticking to the basics when camping…cooking everything on the fire and only creating work to be done when its a necessity. It's a time to get away from the expectations and chaos of everyday life. Sam on the other hand hates the heat & the beating sun... but as a whole, generally enjoys camping. Therefore, as a family on a tight budget, camping has been and will become even more of an activity that we will embrace together!

So, on a weekend with temps in the high 90's- low 100's why not drag the troops camping? This time was a little bit different for the following reasons:

A. We have a 7 month old, who we had obviously never camped with, so it was a trial run to see how she would do
B. We only had saturday afternoon-monday morning to go due to both of our work schedules
C. Sam still had to work Sunday morning
D. It was going to be HOT

The solution? Camp at a beautiful campsite right here in Hudson! The 3 Dittrichs (+ Theo) as well as my parents ventured a whole 3 miles from our house to Willow River State Park. This way, Sam could leave Sunday morning to go to work, we wouldn't waste time driving and we could always stop home if things got rough (with Addie) etc etc.

Sam setting up our new tent!

Despite the fact that we were one of the last people to reserve a site at the campsite (leaving us with a very UNshadded campsite) we really did enjoy ourselves. We made do with makeshift shade, AC trips to the car, spending a day at the "beach" and picnic area where there were lots of trees, and a lot of laughter! Other than the fact that poor Addie was pretty hot a lot of the time she was a gem and played in her pack-n-play so well (she even took a few short naps!)

Reading in the shade with grandma!

I myself, really enjoyed the heat and beating sun, however I spent a lot of time worrying if Add was cool enough and making sure she was okay. Sam…well, he of course hated the heat. Therefore, I think our future camping trips will take place in the spring and early fall. I can bake in the sun right here at home where no one else is subjected to it ;)

Who knew picking daises could be so much fun?!

LOVING exploring in the tent!

hot hot hot!

My first EVER motorcycle ride with my bro (note: thankfully our max speed= 25 mph)

Laughing with mommy :) 

Overall, it was a good trial run for us and our growing family & We didn't even need to stop home! We learned what we need to change for next time! I loved spending time with my parents (and the day visit from my brother). I look forward to exploring this campsite and many others in the future Spring and Fall months for years to come:)

Who wants to sleep when everyone else is hanging out by the fire?!

In the midst of it all...

Its been almost a month since I have posted anything…OOPS! We have just been having too much fun in this beautiful, hot, summer weather! Where has the month gone?!?! So here is a sincere apology in advance for the long post!

Well…after Sam's birthday/ our stay-cation, came fathers day! I was super excited to celebrate this day because I truly am SO grateful to have such a loving, fun, and involved dad for our little girl! She is so blessed :) As much hype as mothers day gets, I feel like fathers day should get the same. These days, as most moms have to work, parents are forced to split the parenting load and REALLY work as a team to get everything done and be there for your child. Its neat, and special for the whole family :) Sams family came up to visit that weekend as well!

BLT's for lunch, compliments of chef Sam!

Loving play time with Auntie Haley!

So intrigued with Godfather/ uncle Josh!

Boche ball on a gorgeous night!!

We have enjoyed many trips to the park in our neighborhood as well as the family favorite: walks :)

Sam was gone for a week at jr. high camp, so Addie and I decided to head down to lakeville for a two days to enjoy the company of others! We had so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa (even though big boys currently scare her) and also made another trip to the zoo!! Addie also enjoyed a night with her godmother/ auntie Tiff as mom worked! oh the fun yet to come with the relationship between those two ;)

Addie is 7 months already! I cannot believe it!!! Here are some updates:

-She has been 'almost

 crawling' for about 3 weeks now… and at any moment I feel like she is just going to zoom away! 

How she spends most of her time!

-After 2 1/2 weeks of trying to get her to eat solids, she took to it! So she is now loving to eat all sorts of fruits and veggies! (which by the way are SO fun to make!)

-She has been able to sit for about 30 seconds or so at a time for the last month, but just recently can sit for much longer!!!

-She is so full of laughter, little girl screeches and thoughtful stares (so much fun!)

-She is still proving herself to be very content and calm baby girl!

-She is completely obsessed with her pup theo! He steals her attention 9 times out of 10

-She doesn't cry unless she's scared or overly tired!

-Sleeping 12 hours at night and is finally down to 2 naps a day!! YAY!

We also had a very fun 4th of july! Due to the heat we couldn't go out much with Addie, but we had lots of fun here in hudson with my family! Sam also got the birthday celebration he's been begging for with my family, little did he know we would REALLY bring it this time :)

happy 4th!!

Happy late birthday celebration Sam!

I also got to get away with my friends twice…which was a lot of fun. However, the more I am gone, the more I am realizing I just want to be at home with my family! That is where my heart is, and that is what makes me the happiest... the simple things we do together! Wow, its crazy how much that has changed! For a second I feel boring saying/ feeling that way, but 5 seconds later I'm over it and just wanting to embrace what I have been so blessed with!! I cant wait until some of my good friends start poppin' out little ones so they can truly understand what I am feeling!