Camping trip :: pit stop

We went camping again this last weekend, down near San Antonio. We had a great time! 

We camped right on the Guadalupe River with some friends from Tyler's work. Floating down the river on inner tubes (or toobs as they call them here in Texas) was so fun! We also had a lost key fiasco, some crafting, a treasure hunt, and a vomiting experience (of course, this is something we always seem to add on camping trips :)) 

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our pit stop in Mason, TX on our way down to the camp spot::

PS:: Don't you just LOVE Kellen's new haircut?! I love it, but he looks like a completely different boy!

Playing outside (so Daddy can sleep)

I love the sequence of this pictures! They were having so much fun pushing the dump truck up the slide, then back down! Soren and I watched from the sidelines.... all before 730am. Not 3 months ago, our kids were sleeping until 8am, now they get up at about 645! what happened?!!! 

We are busy planning some upcoming trips::

Memorial Day camping at Possum Kingdom State Park, here in Texas

Rock climbing camping at City of Rock, in Idaho, with friends from Montana, at the end of June!

Cousin camping near Bend maybe at the VERY end of June

Our trip in Oregon, from beginning of July until mid August!

And our  Tough Mudder trip to Austin on October 6th

We're pretty excited for each and every trip!

 

Colton's second ball game

First of all, I just have to say I LOVE MY OUR NEW CAMERA LENS!

It is taking such great pictures of my our adorable children... just saying.

Yesterday, I bribed (yes, bribed with a sucker :)) Kellen to ride the Scuut bike (which has been a fabulous balance teacher to all the kids). He did, and now he LOVES it! He begged to bring it to Colton's tee-ball game.

Here we are on the blanket, watching our Colton play. It was a little chilly, and threatening rain, so we brought rain jackets and hats... Ayla was feigning extreme coldness.

Hmmm...

It is so funny. Colton loves to run, like actually says he loves to run. But during practice and games he gives such a lame effort! Tyler has been talking to him about it, and he decided to step up his game today. So glad he doesn't run like a t-rex anymore (you know with his elbows tucked in and wrists sorta limp...)

Oh, my. This hat reminds me so much of Kellen, it isn't even funny.

What do you think?

Bleacher fun... this is what they do. Every practice. No one has been hurt yet... we will see what will come of it.

I told you, this camera is good! Love this little love.

Isn't he learning so quickly? He looks like he is trying to get something....

Bribery, yes.

Love that Ayla peeks over his shoulder to get in the picture.

That girl LOVES the camera.

It was also Soren's first taste of sucker, courtesy of Ayla, and caught on camera.

we are in trouble.

Look at him fielding that ball... like a natural.

And a good batter to boot.

Running for contemplation

Running has always been my sport. It started in high school because of a knee injury, and ever since then, I have used running as a type of meditation, if you will.
I think a lot of people do this.
I run to get a few minutes of quiet time (unless I take the jogging stroller, which is a chore in itself).
I run to think about both my small bubble problems, and big world problems.
Some of the conversations I have had with myself include building a grand community garden; our self sustaining house in our future; why recycling seems like such a hard concept, but is not; how people can seriously think that renewable energy is a waste of our time and money (seriously?!); and then I have contemplated my kids futures (who will they become? Will they call when they move away?); friendships and the ebbs and flows that come with them.
I run because I have to.

As of this week, I am up to running two miles (straight, with no breaks) in about 19-20 minutes. I have started out this regimen really slowly because of how achy and sore my joints (particularly my knee) are after running. It is a hard sport on your body. All of that impact on your feet and knees and hips CAN'T be doing good things. But it does help me loose weight. Thank goodness!
To help with the problems that come with the impact, I am running alongside the paved paths here on base... so much nicer to my knees. I come back home feeling fantastic.

The Tough Mudder is my goal (October 6th in Austin) and I am so excited to act like a kid and play in the mud! I know it will be tough, but heck, I like having a goal in sight. AND I am so excited to have a couple female running partners for the race! (Thanks Jessica and Heather!) Two of my friends from my days back in Misawa, Japan... it will be fantastic. Tyler is running it too, but he is undoubtedly going to be faster than me...

Today I am doing a green smoothie fast. Something to help cleanse my system and (!) hopefully kick start more weightloss! The smoothies are mostly fruit and veggies and then added water. I know, I know, I am breastfeeding, but I figured one day of eating really good stuff isn't going to hurt that in the least bit.

Some cute pictures from May for you::

Soren is getting his two top teeth (one is out, one is coming), so he is getting a toothy grin! So cute! We took the kids to the dentist the other day, and Colton has 8 new cavities (in a YEAR!) not really confident with the work they want to do on him, so we are getting a second opinion, but hopefully we will not have cavities all the time with him (like Tyler and I do!). Ayla was in the no cavity club though!

Oh, and another thing... I am officially a NON facebook user. I have deactivated my account. It has become a huge source of controversy for me, so I am choosing not to have that clutter in my life. If you need to get a hold of me, feel free to email me, or call me!

Bug catching and gardening

Our garden is growing well... already we have taken some spinach and lettuce, and strawberries too! Unfortunately, some of our strawberries are being eaten by ants!! Any advice?

The kids have been catching ladybugs, and love looking at them constantly... although a couple did die while we were gone on our camping trip :(