Our Backyard Campout

Last night, we slept outside in the tent in the backyard.  All of us.  Usually when the kids want to do this, I let their dad be the fun one and am just fine sleeping in my own bed.  But I caved in and slept out under the stars (or at least airplanes).  This was our practice run for when we go camping this weekend up in Wisconsin.  We usually go camping at least once a year, but with Caleb being the ripe old age of 2 1/2, we decided that it might be a good idea to see what we’re getting ourselves into.

Caleb and I laid in the tent looking out the window at the fireflies (while Kelsie and Brandon tried to catch them) until he fell asleep.  It was so peaceful to just lay there and enjoy our backyard.  The fireflies are always something we look forward too each year and always try to catch as  many as we can.  Eventually the older two joined us in the tent and while Brandon held the flashlight, Kelsie read us a story. 

We all slept pretty good (at least as good as you can in a tent) and woke up to a little surprise.  Remember our friendly neighborhood cat?  Well, he was all curled up in a ball at the end of Brandon’s sleeping bag, snoozing with the rest of us.  Apparently we didn’t close the tent door all the way and he found his way in.  I’m just glad it wasn’t a racoon or a skunk.

So, the moral of my story is:

1)  If you’ve never camped out in the backyard, you must try it at least once.

2)  Remember to close your tent door all the way unless you want some unwelcome visitors to spend the night with you.

What do you do with...

...3 energetic kids, a busy husband at work, and a flooding basement? We woke up this morning (and most of the night) to rain. We have been having rain as a result of Hurricane Ike and are expected to receive more over the next few days. Between us and our landlords, we have been shop-vacuuming the water out of our laundry area all afternoon, and it looks like it will continue through the night. We have heard that this is the most rain here in a long time.

Since we were stuck inside, I did what any sane mother would do...bring on the video games! We had lots of fun with those, until the fighting and tears came so we turned them off and tried to use our imaginations, old school play. Kelsie built a fort compete with a mailbox. Brandon put up the tent, but then gave up on the hopes that he would be able to play a computer game (which is different than video games). Caleb took a decent nap and then decided to play with his older brother and sister until they got tired of him. In the end, we had a successful afternoon of pirates, marble racing, and make believe. I guess the rain is good for something!

Our front yard this morning.

It's hard to really see, but it was coming down pretty hard.

K-T-B!

Our super good friend, Katy, drove through Chicago last week and we were so lucky to have her stay a night with us. She's currently on a road trip across America visiting friends and family and also going on as many blind dates as she can. If anyone could do something like that, it's her. She's so awesome! We were supposed to find a blind date for her while she was here, but I was too selfish and wanted her all to ourselves instead.

We met Katy six years ago while we were at Penn State. Katy started her PhD program there, but was only there for a brief 4 months. We packed in all we could while we had her around and ended up with a great friendship that stands the test of time. (Is that dramatic enough for you?!)

We didn't have a whole lot of time while she was here, but we did take her over to Lake Michigan and drove around a little bit. These are just a few of the fun pictures that we took with her. We had a great time! Good luck on the rest of your trip Katy!

A boy and his sword. Can't leave home without it.

Who doesn't love rolling around in the sand?

Hamming it up for the camera!

We're living the dream, baby!

We're moving to Chicago!

Well, Evanston, anyway. Wally accepted a position at Northwestern University (hence the purple type) to work with a Rock Star in the chemistry world. We will be moving right after Christmas and he will start in January. We are very excited for this opportunity and for our new adventure. Kelsie is a little nervous about moving (who wouldn't be at her age?) and Brandon just shrugs his shoulders and says "good" when we ask him how he feels. Wally will fulfill a two and a half year commitment at the university and then will apply for a faculty position at another university after that. He hopes to eventually have his own lab to do research and have one more title, Professor.

Because Dr. Paxton isn't enough.

We will keep you updated with our plans as they unfold. . .