Our Camping Adventure

Last week, we packed up the car and headed out of town. With family in tow, we left the great state of Texas and went to Turner Falls in Oklahoma.

The first night, we thought we were crazy and almost regretted the whole thing. Getting lost in no where land, being pulled over by a cop, and setting up camp in the pitch dark. Even better, Tanner managed to fall right onto a cactus. I just assumed it was tiny rocks on his hands and tried to brush them aside. But he screamed. Then I came to the lantern and saw the full magnitude -- 100s of sharp hair-like needles in his hand.

Anthony got to do the dirty work and pulled them all out -- and he thought Tanner would NEVER forgive him for inflicting so much pain upon him. But he did. The next day, his hand was as good as new.

But the next day proved to be well worth the trip.

We hiked up to a beautiful waterfall and the kids played in the water.

In Oklahoma, this is as close to a beach as you're going to get.

The water was the clearest water I've ever seen, just a little too cold for my taste. I did, however, enjoy a great little snooze on the beach.

The boys ran off and did a real hike.

While us girls just sat and let the kids play.

Skipped a few rocks.

.

While Tanner just threw grass

Explored a few castles. Walked up 100+ stairs (trust me, the next day my calves were feeling the repercussion).

Tanner running the entire time. Just watching him made me exhausted :)

And somehow, FOOD always seems to taste better when you're camping. And with Michael in charge of food -- we were guaranteed never to go hungry and ate lots of yummy food -- chili and tin-foil dinners, s'mores, pancakes, sausage, eggs -- can you tell yet the food is always my favorite part of camping??

And I've never seen Tanner happier. He was definitely in his "element." With an endless supply of dirt at his fingertips, he could not have been happier.

Cousins to play with. And by the end of the trip, little Sophie was calling Tanner her boyfriend and they couldn't get enough of one another.

Tanner also loved to go exploring in the trees and woods around our campsite.

He even had the unfortunate pleasure of landing face first on a rock. Right as I was running to him saying -- 'Oh, Poor little guy' -- he was up and running away. Nothing could stop him from enjoying the great outdoors.

But he looked like he had gotten in a bad fight -- see!!! He was SO ready for that nap on our way home.

So besides having our little ray of sunshine awake at the crack of dawn at 6:00 am,

And sleeping on a half inflated air mattress

And having to use a port-a-potty with no toilet paper (don't ask).

Our trip was a HUGE success.

Hello and Goodbye

Last week was the first day Tanner didn't scream when I dropped him off at school; ironically, it's also the day we decided to withdraw Tanner from the program.

There's a whole list of preschool woes I could tell you about. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it's probably just me.

Because somehow in loosing little Aubrey over the summer, I look to him to fill that dark, deep void in my life.

And no one else can love him quite like me.

But grandmas can come pretty dang close.

And lucky for Tanner, that's who he will have watching him now.

They're moving back into town. For other reasons, but I tell Tanner it's just for him.

Preschool

First day of preschool for Tanners - he runs out to the play ground and he doesn't look back.

And here I've been stressing about how he's going to be so emotional and freak out. But, then again, we didn't escape completely. The teacher told me that part came later when he realized we weren't just at the "park" playing.

I still think he's too little to go to school, but we've been extremely blessed to have family watch him as a baby and toddler. Now that he's 2, I think he'll really enjoy being around other kiddos. Plus, we don't have many options since we can't seem to keep the fam around for very long :) Last spring I must have visited 10+ schools until I found the perfect one. If I were a kid, it would be the school I'd want to go to.

Besides from still being a complete and total mommy's boy, he's gotten so BIG and I'm not sure I'm ready for it. While I love being able to hear inside that head of his as he tells me this or that, sometimes I just want my little tiny baby back in my arms.

First day back at work for me too. I wish I could approach it with Tanner's enthusiasm. One thing I've learned over the past month - life is short - make the moments count for all they are worth.

Kansas City

It was nice to leave our cares and worries in Dallas and escape for a week to visit our family in Kansas City. And as an added bonus, my mom and dad also came into town.

Tanner would have been happy playing all day long with his cousins - but this trip seemed to be all about the kiddos and we did a lot of fun things with them. It's funny how I spent some of my high school years in KC -- and never new all these fun things existed.

Wonderscope Children's Museum

Aarrr! A pirates life is for ME!

The Spaceship Room

Love how Mason put the helmet on backward...

Tanner always manages to find a train no matter where he goes.

An endless amount of balls to do all sorts of cool tricks.

Puppet show with Nanny

Doctor, doctor, who needs a doctor?

They were SO excited about those SHOTS!

Love Mason's expression

A rocket ship made out of Legos!

Crown Center Plaza

FRITZ - First and foremost, FOOD! This restaurant seemed like it was created just for little boys like Tanner. Seriously, he was so excited the entire time watching the trains deliver food to everyone's table. And he ate every last bite.

He LOVED sitting next to Jared!

I think the only reason he liked the hat was cuz he saw Jared doing it :)

Oh look, here comes our food!

Clifford Exhibit

Kladeiscope - Hallmark Art Studio

This painting was turned into a puzzle when we were finished.

We came home with so many fun projects!

Monkey Bizness

While the kiddos played around, we got to chat with the Shelton family. Our families were always destined for one another -- our moms, sisters, and everyone was best friends. It was too bad Lisa lives so far away, but talking with her fam was the next best thing. It was great to see Audrey's little Carson. Time just flies by so quickly - last time I saw her was the night she went into labor w/him.

Every monkey needs a Tarzan swing

He kept trying and trying until finally he mastered it.

But he didn't mind falling either -he was cracking up the whole time.

And a place to jump!

This pic just reminds me of a picture from Dr Seuss Book as he tip toes across.

Pump It Up!

And of course, we have to go to a bounce house. It's his favorite thing to do.

Trying his very hardest to get every ball possible.

Just hangin' Out

Drive - Tanner riding on the JEEP. Seriously, he was in HEAVEN.

He didn't want to give it up -- even after we were done -- he'd keep escaping to the garage for some more action. Two years are so p.e.r.s.i.s.t.e.n.t.

Brittany showing off her moves on the scooter.

S'mores - how come ALL my favorite things always have to do with food? Kristan introduced us to a whole new world - s'mores made with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Pure yumm-ness!

Tractors - Tanner LOVED seeing the array of construction vehicles across the street at Keith & Kristan's new home. He could have starred at them working all day long -- and if it weren't for the heat, we may have survived more than 15 mins.

JUMP - Tanner loved jumping on the trampoline. He already jumps all the time at home -- so just imagine his excitement when he jumped on a real trampoline. And he even when he face planted a few times, he was doing nothing but laughing.

Jedi Knights - Mason and Tanner were running around pretending to be little Jedi Knights.

They kept giggling and laughing as they ran in circles around the house chasing one another.

And must I say, it's impossible to take pics when they're on the move. This is as good as it gets...

Aves - Tanner also LOVED spending every possible minute with Avery. These two grew up like siblings -- and it's sad to see them so far apart. Every phone ringing, every person at our door, and every time we're ready to go play -- Tanner thinks its Avery. And Avery returns the love - when those two were in the middle of playing -- she told us we should come visit as much as we can.

But this visit he also got close to his other cousins - Jared, Brittany, and Mason. He'd like to follow Jared around since he was a big kid and ran around in circles laughing with Mason. Finally, some BOYS to play with!!

Now everywhere we go -- he secretly hopes in their house.I hear the words - I want to DRIVE, JUMP, or see TRACTORS all day long.

He hasn't quite registered we're not in Kansas anymore.

I just wished we lived closer!!! One more reason to visit more often. Can't wait for Thanksgiving!!