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!

STAY-cation 2012

Due to my schedule/ profession I often times work 4-5 day stretches, even though I am only part time. However, this allows me to have stretches off too! So…when we noticed that I had 5 days off in a row in the beginning of June, we decided we would take a vacation (especially since it was over Sam's birthday and our anniversary) Upon researching places to go…Chicago…Duluth…Two Harbors…etc, we realized that it would either be too stressful with a baby (Chicago) or wasn't REALLY somewhere we were dying to go. So…we had the idea to have a "stay-cation" We would stay in the comfort of our own home, not have to pay money for hotels, gas, etc, and do fun activities everyday that we are normally not able to do! It was absolutely wonderful, and I think we may try to do this every year, or at least every other! Let me just say, we needed this, as a couple, as parents, and as a family. Today, its back to reality for both of us as we go back to work, and to the normal routines.

Here are some highlights of our stay-cation 2012:

Day One:

We celebrated our little Addie's 1/2 birthday and then headed out to Stillwater to grill/ hang out with two couples and their little ones. It was great to be outside and with such good company!

After Addie got her nap in, we headed to the Freighthouse for some drinks/ apps! It was such a beautiful evening, and just reminded me of how much I love Stillwater in the summer :)

I even tried quac for the first time. I know, I know, I'm a vegetarian so clearly I should have had avocado or quac before…but the creamy texture of it has always freaked me out, so I never have. I decided it was time, and It tasted really fresh and a lot more mild than I had imagined. I think I am going to slowly incorporate it into my diet, and stop asking to "hold the quac" on many thing I order!

Day two:

The next day was Sam's 25th birthday! We started it off right with Starbucks & Brueggers, then headed to the MN zoo! 

We met my mom there, and had such a wonderful day walking around and looking at all the animals! Addie seemed to enjoy herself, and experienced all that she could for being 6 months old!

One of my favorite animals there, the prairie dogs!

Pit stop for a bottle :)

Her favorite part of bath time is when she can put her legs/ arms in the running water…so we decided to try this out too to see if she would like it! Success :)

We got BWW for dinner and ate it on the deck! Sam ate 18 wings. 18 WINGS! It's crazy he could fit that much food into his small little self! AND…I was super excited that I discovered they serve veggie burgers! Now I finally have something I can order when we go there!

A very full birthday boy!

The day concluded with some more fun on the deck and some movies :)

Day 3:

We stayed home and relaxed in morning/ afternoon! I got some sun, and Addie worked a lot on sitting up!

Then we headed out to Dick's to look at tents! (our anniversary gift to each other) 

That night, we ordered pizza, played games, and just enjoyed each other's company :)

Day 4:

On Tuesday, we were going to head to Lake Calhoun for some walking, but decided with the heat, and length of drive out there, it would be better just to go down by the river for a walk right here in Hudson! It was beautiful out, and definitely the right choice :) After, we enjoyed ice cream from McDonalds (Sam finally grasped the beauty of the 150 cal 3g fat ice cream cone!) and homemade lasagna! That night, we shopped around online for more tents, and a jogging stroller for Addie! I also took advantage of Sam being home, and ran some errands KID FREE!

Day 5:

Our 3 year anniversary! These are the cards we made for each other! Sam also surprised me with an americano and egg/ cheese sandwich from Starbucks, and we enjoyed the morning together! 

In the afternoon, we headed to the Doctor for Addie's 6 month appt. We are so blessed to have such a happy healthy girl!! She continues to be small: 13 lbs 0 oz, (4th percentile), and 24 3/4 inches (15th percentile) …But the Dr. assured us she is healthy and steadily growing at her own rate! Now, onward to getting her to like/ eat some solids!

We enjoyed an evening on the deck (again!) some Stir Fry, and more games to conclude our anniversary/ stay-cation!

Before the weekend began, I had Sam make a list of what he wanted to do, and we actually accomplished most of it among other things! Overall, It was wonderful wonderful wonderful…and as I mentioned before, MUCH NEEDED! 

now back to reality...

Up, down & around!

This past weekend, Sam was away on a men's retreat with our church, so my mom, Addie, and I decided to take a mini vaca to Duluth! 

Even though we only had a day and a half to spend there (because my work thinks its AWESOME to schedule me friday evenings on my weekends off…) we decided to do it anyways! The forcast for the weekend was rain rain and more rain :( However, we left early sat morning and were able to catch good weather until after dinner saturday! …AND we only got caught in heavy rain once!  I can imagine it was quite the sight seeing us run with a stroller to find some sort of shelter from the walk around the lake! 

Addie loving some quality time with her grandma by the lake in Duluth!! (Thank goodness for hats because she has does not quite share the passion for sun that her mom has yet!)

Taking it all in….:)

Gotta love those smile and how interactive she is now!! Its amazing how much of a "mini girl" she is becoming!!!

Trying to get some food into my little girl who is not the fondest of eating ;)

I LOVE THE MOBY WRAP!! This thing has been such an amazing thing from the time she was about a month old (8lbs) and continues to be! It is a lifesaver! I love how you can wear the baby so many ways and alter it based on their age and activity level…and its super light weight! 

Watching the seagulls with grandma! She actually really liked them ;)

Everything was going wonderful, until….a big boat came to go under the bridge!! The loud horn noise scared her so much!

…so then it was nap time, something little miss Addison has not yet mastered, but needs SO much :)

 Lounging on the hotel bed! She was SOO good the whole time we were there! And even slept in her pack-n-play for most of the night!

Theo and Addie reunite after a few days apart! They were SO excited to see eachother! 

To save more trips then necessary to lakeville so that my dad could watch Theo while we were gone, he went there from thurs-mon…I didnt realize how much I STILL loved him and depended on him at home! It was so sad to have him gone, and was super excited when he came back! 

Working real hard on sitting up! Not quite there yet…soon enough!

Loving to *bounce bounce bounce*!!

What a fun weekend it was!! Looking forward to many more fun summer adventures!

**Random thought** 

I have been thinking a lot lately about how we dream and work so hard to get where we want to be in life…When we are babies (and as we grow up), our parents have so many dreams and hopes for us. When we are kids, we dream so big (ex: when I get married..., when I grow up I want to _____, when I am old_____ ) Then, we work our butts off through, junior high, high school, and college, still dreaming with high hopes for "the future." We then, get into our career, possibly get married, and soon after start a family. So, whats crazy for me to think, is I AM HERE! I am all grown up, I have my family, and my career. All that hoping and wishing for the future, is now my present. So, what do I do with this? Keep on dreaming, and keep on striving to not be content with a mediocre life. To think of all that has changed/ shaped me over the years is incredible. So, onward to continuing pouring my passion into the things that matter most in life, and to continue having BIG dreams for my own child and children to come!!