The Boys' First Camping Trip

Two weekends ago we took the boys on their first camping trip. We decided we'd stay close to home, only do one night, and find a dog-watcher for Victor. Brad reserved a campsite at Minnesota Valley State Park down West of Shakopee. We arrived around sunset, made camp, and got a fire going. We heated up our camp grub (I'd cooked up stick-less shebobs earlier at home).

I always enjoyed looking at pictures including whatever family vehicle we were driving -- kind of marked the eras for me. Here's the trusty, cool Cruiser -- probably the last car that will fit our family and still have style.

The general state of Atticus at the campsite: constant motion. He loved being outside and making the fire and the novelty of the entire experience.

Waking up the next morning: The boys slept pretty well -- especially Atticus. We were all packed together like sardines on a full-size air mattress. Brad and I couldn't both lay on our back at the same time. At least one of us had to be sideways for us to all fit. But it was fun and we got enough sleep to wake up happy with that cold-nose camping it's-so-exciting-to-wake-up-pretty-much-outside that I still haven't shaken from being a kid.
It must be noted that Brad was able to make one bundle of firewood and three matches get us through cooking two meals. Impressive. We made eggs and pancakes for breakfast -- and I must say, Bisquick never tasted better (-:

Dietrich still waking up...

The park had some great trails but our stroller wouldn't make it, so we drove to Shakopee to take a long paved river route.

Dietrich woke up on the wrong side of the bed. This was his expression the entire morning...

until Brad picked him up and talked to him awhile, and he started to relax a little

Atticus didn't need help enjoying himself.

A great community playground we found in Shakopee town square just off the trail...

Dietrich & Atticus -- Our Boys Are Not Dull

Lipstick, Baby, Lipstick

Sarah Palin's speech last night at the GOP National Convention was the most fun political speech I've heard so far in my adult (world-conscious) life. I've known I was going to have to vote for McCain for awhile now -- not because I'm necessarily a Republican (though I agree with more issue stances in their camp than anyone else's, except sometimes the Libertarians). But because I can't compromise on the pro-life issue (it is so entirely critical). When McCain chose Sarah Palin I had no idea who she was -- never heard of her before. Brad filled me a bit, but last night was my first real exposure to her. And, my, oh, my I've never been so delightedly surprised nor more entertained by a "character" on the national, political scene. I wondered how a woman could choose to run for V.P. when so much has happened in her family's life this year: A brand-new baby with Down's Syndrome, a teenage daughter pregnant and not yet married, and so forth. But after hearing her last night, I think that maybe God gives different people and families different strengths and that there are times where you choose to allow service to others to "take away" from some focus on your own family. Yet "take away" is not necessarily the right phrase because giving to others also gives to your family by example and by drawing them into the commitment to sacrifice a certain amount of comfort and privacy and self-focus for the greater good of helping those around you. Anyway, there is much to be seen and heard and discovered about Palin and about the McCain-Palin ticket. I am not under the illusion that there are any ideal, flawless public servants out there. But then I don't expect politicians to "save" us let alone "fix" society and the world. Yet they have the potential to do much good in this world.

My friend and fellow blogger Melissa Mailley has an excellent blog entry on Palin which is well worth the reading (far more than my ramblings). You can read her at:
http://tending-home-fires.blogspot.com

Felling the Tree

Last week I decided that something must be done. I destroyed the tree in our bedroom. My sister and I built it while I was pregnant with Atticus. I had never finished it and though I still had a vision for it's completion it stood there always reproaching me for leaving it "Less-Than What-It-Was-Meant-to-Be". And we have been planning to make our bedroom into a giant children's room, so this was one step closer to it moving forward. I must say that though I was lightened by it's removal, it's absence still makes me sad. Anyway. Brad has insulated the attic and made up a plan to bring ductwork up into the room for cooling and heating. And we have worked out a budget for carpet. So we are officially begun on the room re-purposing.

Momu Visits Minnehaha Falls

Last Friday was our last day with Momu, our guest from Japan. Then he left to go camping for the weekend with a friend. This week he stays with our pastor Wally's family.

Atticus climbed down the approximately 513 stairs to get to the bottom of the falls. Unfortunately after a hike through the woods, he was unable to climb back up. So I carried Dietrich in the baby back carrier and held Atticus in the front -- Whew!!!!

Dietrich in a Tub

Atticus at the End of Summer