Summer Activities

After our less than ideal camping trip, we've decided to stick close to home until we leave for Maine/NH in late August.

Here are some pictures of Lily, Emma and me and our friends Tomas and mother Andrea at our local Museum of the Rockies.

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A few more photos of camping and a lengthy Emma and Lilly photo shoot I can't cull

Still more. Can't help it. I get a little photo crazy when outside and on vacation.

 I am obviously a bit tired and zany (note hair, coffee in hand and expression on face). But, happy.




Some other nice moments:

Lilly was at her best under these situations: on blanket, in morning pre-heat hours, wearing warm clothes, and with blueberries, milk and water bottle available. And (near, but not actually being held, by Dad):

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I am aware that the following is "a bit much", but Emma was doing something funny here, like building an exercise rink, or something important like that. She worked on it for at least 30 minutes. And I liked the way Lilly was just watching her and what was going on so casually as she ate her bagel.


Here you go:

Lilly eating a bagel.

Lilly starts to watch something.

  It is Emma. She is working at something with my Radio Flyer walker"..."My sister is a little strange", thinks Lilly.

"Very strange...."

"Wow, she is still working.."

"Can anyone explain to me what Emma is doing??"

"Hmmm...."

After about 15 minutes of hard pushing of the walker, Emma is done. She is happy obviously, but what is she up to?

Ready, set, go!

Now, Emma has to reset the track.

"What else is going on around here?"

"Dad is doing 'something". Always 'something'."

"Bagel."

"Wow, Emma is working really hard, again..."

..."Sure do like this bagel."

Back to the camping trailer issue

Okay, got a little distracted (and will again) by the kiddo pictures. Back to the trailer, tent, camping issue at hand.

To help with the discussion. Here are some pics of what life looks like with a trailer. Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of Emma in her trailer bunk bed. This is a big factor in our decision. The bunk bed enjoyment was huge... Endless supply of fun, excitement and solo occupation (important for us!) by our four year old. And she only fell out of the bunk once! with out injury I might add, but only because she fell on Sid I think.

  

Here is what we liked:
1. We could get out of the weather (sun, rain, etc.) if needed and still eat food easily.
2. Not as exposed to night-time cold weather.
3. Lots of storage
4. Beds were comfortable

What we realized:
1. More than what we need.
2. We don't mind cooking and being outside (with the right associated tent/awning situations)
3. We are not true camping outside a cabin with Lilly again until she is older. One is too young (at least for us and her).

What we decided. Travel somewhere really cool with the money and buy a nice tent/awning/cot/airbed situation for a lot less.

Williamson camper/trailer/camping experiment done!

Lilly turns Numero Uno

Here are some pre-camping trips pics of our dear daugher, #2. Who is one year old now!!!!

Lilly turns numero uno and details of first family williamson camping trip

For about a year now, we've (mostly I've) been mulling over the pros and cons of a true camp trailer; to assist us with our need, wants (and weaknesses) in getting "OUTSIDE".

Other options we are considering:
Popup and Big Tent. 


Friends with similar issues all over town are also in the same boat and have chosen any of all the options, including the ones where you rent a forest cabin and ditch the whole camping concept, and the just don't- until-they-get-older, option.

Using our daughters and ourselves as guinea pigs, we used Lilly's first birthday as an impetous to test one out the camper trailer option.

How did it go? Well, we rented the trailer for 5 days and are back after 3....that should tell you something. After a family survey on the 3 hour ride home, here is what I discerned.

Lilly: no comment, sleeping. Were she awake she would most likely communicate (with her eyes) she is only just one after all: "I have a fever, mom. Doesn't that tell you something?"

Emma: "Bunk beds are the greatest. Camping is the greatest. I love hot cocoa and trailers!"

Dad: "Wasn't truly fun, relaxing or restive. And won't be for at least another thee years...But am game for more torture. Bring it on." He actually just said "Well" and then grimaced. So I am inferring, paraphrasing as well as embellishing here.


Regardless, we all managed to smile. Emma most of all and I guess me second. It is amazing how much discomfort I will tolerate (and actually enjoy) for the sake of being outside and away from the daily routine. 

Lilly and Emma certainly had fun together. 

Emma was the intrepid adventurer. We had taken it down by now (Lilly had a fever, wasn't sleeping and was crying A LOT) as we needed to head home. But, Emma had set up a research station underneath our tent awning; equipped, table and chair, along with a "Top Secret" notebook (for spells and potions and general concoctions), bug box and plant holder.


Emma heads out on one of her many discovery adventure forays (I was allowed along as photo-documentarian at large):

Emma's foray continues:

 As requested by Mom: a little reflection/contemplation time (it was good photo light):

Emma takes time out for a little ballet posing:

Here are some of the "discoveries" she made. A few of which, did or did not, make it back to the research table.


A secret sage garden:

"I-Spy-ish" (among the pine cones) elk poop:

Numerous interesting flowers and trees:

And a set of stone flies (obtained with help by Dad from small eddy near our campsite):