The Kneggs

The Kneggs

Sunday, October 20, 2013

A Camping We Will Go!!

This past Saturday, Trey turned 35!!  For his birthday he decided the wanted to take Bryan on his first camping trip.  I'm not going to lie, I was a little worried, but all in all, he did fantastic and we had a lot of fun!

On our way to Eisenhower State Park!
We arrived around 8:00 and it was a little misty.  Bryan got nervous as we were setting up the tent in the dark. He was not as sure about this whole camping thing as he had been the week leading up to our trip!

The tent is up!
Once the tent was up, though, all bets were off and camping was the best thing EVER!!  He even got to eat marshmallows (not roasted) before bed!

Marshmallow Face
 After a cold and windy night, we were up at dawn and ready to find adventure!  We started the day off with breakfast tacos and chocolate milk.

YUM!!
Before leaving to explore, we had to get a few pictures in front of Daddy's new tent.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

CHEESE!!
 First, we went down to the beach to throw rocks in the lake.  I felt a little bad, Bryan was fascinated with the sandy beach - apparently we don't get him out enough!!

SAND, MOMMY!!

Watching Daddy's technique

Taking a turn

The first rock was too big, how about this little one?

Finding Shells

Giant Rock

Hitching a ride to the car
 After our adventure to the beach, we went back to the tent to rest.  That lasted all of 5 minutes and one quick round of building Cooties...

Cootie Tower
 Then, we were off on a nature hike.  There was a trail right by our campsite, so exploring we did go...

Our Fearless Leader

Checking out the Scenery
The hike wore us out, so we went back to the campsite for lunch and a little rest.  We put up the hammocks and got to relax for a little while.

He loves the hammock!

Looking at the Bois D'arc trees with Daddy.
 Bryan and I took a little nap - 3 hours - then we drove around and explored a little more.  We saw the boats in the marina and on the lake.  Bryan just wanted to drive around with his head hanging out the window like a puppy dog!!  We, then, headed back to camp to start our fire for the night.

Playing in the smoke
We roasted hot dogs, but all Bryan cared about was the s'mores!

Roasting his first marshmallow 

He lost interest in the cooking...

... But not in the eating!!
I love that he closed his eyes and relished in the s'more!
 We played and sat by the fire for a while longer before going into the tent for another round of Cooties...

Meet Cowboy Cootie, Rubanana, Wacky William, and Bunny Bunny


We turned in around 8:30 - yes, think what you will, we were tired!!  Bryan is not a good bed buddy!!  He not only talked in his sleep, he wouldn't stay in his sleeping bag!  It was COLD and he kept wanting his feet on the outside of the blanket.  Trey and I woke up several times to put him back in, only to find him out 5 minutes later.  At one point, he was totally out of his sleeping bag and curled up on his pillow!  Oh well... We all got up around 7:00 for breakfast and packing up.  Bryan stepped out of the tent and said, "Mommy, this is the best campsite ever!"
 
One last bounce on the air mattress

Sad face about packing up his Spiderman sleeping bag

Deflating the air mattress cheered him up

Interesting Technique

He stole my shoes when I told him he couldn't go out
of the tent without shoes... Then I was stuck inside!
 What a fantastic weekend!!  I can't wait until the other 3 can join us and we can continue to make such wonderful memories!!

All worn out and heading home!

Bryan's 3rd Birthday... Yep, late as usual...

Back in August we celebrated Bryan's BIG 0-3!!  He decided he wanted a Pirate Party with a piƱata.  I like having a boy who knows what he wants.  Here pictures from the fantastic day...

Chocolate Cupcakes and Pirate Cakeballs


All Dressed Up and Ready to Party

Arrg Mateys

My 4 Little Pirates

The Big Birthday Boy


Who wouldn't want to eat a cake pop while everyone sings?

This is how he eats cake...

Pirate Cousin

Looking for Treasure

Pinata Time

Good Form


C's Turn

Eyes Closed and All

Good Hit
In the end, the pinata won!!  The grown-ups couldn't even bust it!!  We had to get a knife and cut the thing open!

So many great toys!!

Here comes his big present...

A Big Boy Bike!

And a helmet, of course!

The boys with all of the kiddos, while the girls got to visit
in the kitchen!
Bryan had a fantastic day and, even 2 months later, talks about all the people that celebrated with him.