I tried to upload the pictures I took of Graesen today, but it didn't work. It will have to wait until tomorrow. I have to say today was a bit hard for me. At work I overheard someone talking about how they are 8 weeks pregnant and going in for their ultrasound soon and they are thinking it may be twins. 3 months ago that was me. I was counting the days until my ultrasound to find out if it was one or two babies (since I was getting big so fast). Today I do not have 2 babies growing in me, or 1. I still miss that baby. It catches me sometimes. Walking through a store with baby clothes makes me ache. Seeing a newborn makes me long for that again. Hearing about someone who is due around the time I was due makes me imagine what life would be like if I had not miscarried. I never got to see Lea or hold "her" but that does not mean that I did not love her.
On a happier note, Graesen and I went camping with my family last week. There were 9 adults, 4 kids, and two dogs on the trip. Graesen had a great time.
We left Saturday late afternoon/early evening. Graesen and I loaded up in my parents' truck. My dad and one of my sisters/her family were meeting us there (my dad was going to a concert on the way). The rest of us were either in my parents' truck or my grandparents' truck towing trailers. We stopped at rest stops to let the kids run around and play. We stopped in a rest area for the night and slept in the trailers. Needless to say, Graesen and Phoebe were a bit wound up and excited to be having a slumber party.
In the morning we got up and got on our way.
We stopped to let the kids play at McDonalds. Graesen would not go all the way in the tubes. He is apparently now terrified of the play tubes.
We also made a little grocery store stop.
When we got to the campground in the afternoon we got to work setting up camp. Graesen and I slept in a tent for the week with my sister and Phoebe.
Within about 30 minutes of being there Graesen's face was already filthy.
We headed down to the beach before dinner. Since we were on the sound, and we were in a bay without waves, the beach was kind of rocky. The kids didn't care, though :)
When the tides went out in the bay you could probably walk across the whole bay (if it weren't for the deep/thick mud). The mud flats were crazy! Graesen wasn't too fond of the way it felt on his feet.
This was Graesen and Phoebe at dinner that night. My aunt bought 2 booster seats to use for the trip.
We went back to the beach to see the sun set later that night.
Monday we sent my dad, grandpa, sister (Rachae), and brother-in-law off on a 3 day kayaking trip through the sound. They were all packed up with gear to sleep under the stars on islands.
The kids played around during the kayak launch.
They found a huge starfish.
After that Shawna and I took Graesen and Phoebe to a really cool toy store in town. It had an amazing play area, but Graesen really just wanted to walk around and do his own shopping :) He got some lacing cards.
After dinner Shawna and I took Phoebe and Graesen on a run. There was this gorgeous trail. It was amazing during sunset.
Tuesday we played around the camp ground for a while. The kids got presents from my mom, grandma, and aunt everyday. They got puzzles, coloring books, crayons, candy, playdough, beach balls, bandanas, footsie pjs for the little 2, head lamps for the older 2, bubbles, waterbottles, sidewalk chalk, and more. They are spoiled!
In the afternoon Shawna and I took all 4 kids to the beach. The tide was down, so it was all mud!
That night we ate dinner on the beach then played some more. My mom brought down a couple of kayaks. Aidan got to ride in one by himself that was tied to the back of my mom's. Graesen loved the kayak, but threw the biggest fit when I tried to go by myself for a while. He actually grabbed onto the side of kayak as I pushed off and held on for dear life!
Wednesday we picked up the kayakers. Phoebe picked every flower she could find while we waited.
That afternoon we walked with the kids to the interpretive center. It has some great hands-on stuff for the kids and a small aquarium.
Later we took the kids to the beach for some more fun.
That night Graesen and I went on a walk with my parents on the trail that I had run on on Monday.
Thursday my sisters, brother-in-law, all the kids, and I took a short drive to a nearby city. We did a little shopping and ate lunch in a courtyard. Graesen was a little impatient while we shopped, so I got him a sucker. He got it stuck in his hair, and when I pulled it out a bunch of hair came out!
The kids did some bike riding later that day. Graesen had a major fit about his tricycle.
After dinner I took Graesen down to the beach from some final sunset pictures.
Friday, Shawna and I took my parents' car (the one my dad drove when he came to meet us) and drove home with Phoebe and Graesen. We stopped at some falls on the way. Graesen kept saying, "Look Mom!" and telling me it was pretty. Overall, though, both kids seemed to like climbed on the rocks the best.
We made another stop at some outlet stores and got the kids some fall clothes for great prices.
We also stopped at a monument with wild horse statues. It was quite a hike up there, but the kids loved it. Phoebe is obsessed with horses!
And here are some pictures that I can't really remember where they fit:
I loved getting to explore your vacation through pictures! What a wonderful time you must of had!
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