Halloween in the Lemondrop

We went on an adventure to the Eastern Shore to camp this past weekend.  A campground that boasts of being "Scary" the weekends of Oct.  Many camping friends I know go to this place often.  That being said, it is not on my top 10 places to camp.  Mainly because they had some crazy rules that just seemed unnecessary.  We had friends that visited on Sat who opted to buy a primitive tent site as it was cheaper than what was being charged to visit per person.  They have a "prompt" 11am check out.  As we pulled through the gate rearview mirror tags were collected and the local sheriff stood on duty (I guess to make sure everyone left on time?!).  That's not exactly what gives me warm fuzzes.  

All of that said, we still had a great time.  Any time camping in my Lil' Lemondrop is a great time.  I did realize on this trip that it might be the last we take in my tiny trailer.  The new girl will be ready by next season I think.  With the kids growing every year (funny how that happens) and with my Mr now coming along, it's getting tight in that 8' space.  She will always be my first love though, and I am keeping her around for girl trips that I hope to start going on.

Views from the ride.  

My Lemondrop in her halloween disguise.

I love everything about the inside of my trailer.  It just makes me happy!

Outdoor movie night the first night.

Chili in the crockpot for the cook off we had with our friends.

Packing up to head home.  Always feels like it takes twice as long to put her away.

The amount of laundry we can make on a short weekend trip is mind boggling.  I will be washing clothes and bedding for days.

The wind was brutal on the water, even set back a bit it constantly blew.  We are all wind burned and chapped.  My awning did great as always (Awnings by Marti if you are looking for one).  I had so many people stop and ask about her.  I always love that.  A few asked for a tour and I was more than happy to show them.  I'm proud of this project my dad and I did.  There is a lot of love in that tiny space.

**writings/filters courtesy of rhonna designs app

Halloween Glamping

We are headed for a quick weekend camping trip. Halloween fun is to be had.  Pictures to follow!

Lately

We had a quick trip home for a wedding.  

We did our annual corn maze.  This time my brother, sister-in-law, and nieces came along.

It's that time of year when I want to be crocheting all the time .....

                                                  Thinking of opening my etsy shop again....

Time Together

We have had beautiful weather the last few days.  So after dinner tonight my girl and I jumped on our bikes and took a ride.

School is done at the end of the week.  I look forward to a slower pace and some time on the beach.  But first I'm taking that new to me camper to my daddy's to get the renovations started.  I want to camp in it by Oct. for the Halloween camp out we are going to.

More Camp Out Photos

I love these kind of weekends where we make memories with good friends.  I love my tiny trailer but,  I have to admit, I am looking forward to a little more space.  My kids just won't stop growing.

Memorial Day Campout

Spent the holiday weekend camping with some great people.  That Scotty is my girlfriends that she just finished refurbing and this was their maiden voyage.  What a great time!!

April Camp Out

Another successful April camp out!  I took a few photos but not like I thought I was gonna.  So instead I "stole" some photos from a good friend and fellow April camp out camper.

This is by far my favorite camp out of the year.  The laughing and fun is beyond description.  Can't wait for next time!!!

Looking Forward to Camp Season 2013

*Camp season 2010

It's that time of year again, I'm looking ahead to the coming camping season.  Although I continue to be on the hunt for a slightly larger, self contained, vintage trailer I still love my Lil' Lemondrop.  I have contacted an awning maker about the possibility of making an add a room for the existing awning.  Although I think the current one might be too short since I bought it pre-made.  I am looking into the possibility of purchasing a new awning to go with the new add a room.  I love my blue white and yellow I have now, but think the new one might be black and white instead.  Just ideas I'm kicking around to help with the growing bodies that camp with me!

Also looking forward to using the AC system I built with my dad.  I also have some touch up painting that needs to be done.  When you have a vintage trailer there is always something that can be fixed or repaired.  My wings are split from the insane heat we experience here on the southeast coast.  Another thing to add to the "to do" list.

Yoga......kinda

I have been experiencing some back and neck pain a lot lately. Back pain I'm use to. I've been a chiropractic believer since jr high. I have to go for adjustment here and there. The neck pain is kinda new. It STINKS! I go as needed for it. I use my neck massager,ice, and pain relievers a lot.

About two weeks ago I got fed up. Fed up needing to take meds. Fed up not being able to lift my leg to put on pants without low back pain/strain. Fed up feeling altogether crummy. I knew I needed to be proactive.

I've tried to run, and have even done races. But the truth is I hate it. I like how I feel after, but for that 30-45 min I'm on the pavement it feels like a form of punishment. I think it roots back to running track all through school, so it feels like a chore. I needed something else.

Then I was reading NieNies (please refer to my link on the side til I figure out how to add one from my phone) blog and she was talking about her body moving and the blessings of it even in pain and how she was so grateful for yoga. And it hit me, YOGA! I've dabbled in it here and there over the years but now I've decided to find a few programs and really stick with it for a long enough period of time to see if it helps.

Now I've always been a bendy person. Some use to call it double jointed. Really I'm just flexible. So a lot of the moves just come natural for me. Some of the sitting positions I've done forever cause I find it comfortable to sit that way. The bending isn't as easy as it once was but I know that will come with time and my muscles finally releasing. My strength needs some help to hold the positions longer. But I'm hoping I have found my "thing" and that it gives me relief. Also my two older kids are doing it with me to loosen there tight muscles from soccer. Keegan is a habitual toe walker so it is helping him to stretch out those back leg muscles and avoid being cast.

Now here's my one thing I want to say. I was surfing the web about Christian yoga and found a lot of strong opinions about how a Christian should not be doing it. Not the poses, not the stretches, nothing. Here is my view point on it. When they say calm your mind and think positive thoughts, I am clearing out the crazy thoughts of the day and praising The Lord for all of my blessings. I am using the deep breathing times to talk with Him. I know there is only one God and I know who He is. So I am a Christian doing yoga poses and using that time for quiet talks with God. I'm happy with that.

A Camping We Will Go......

After a busy morning/afternoon of soccer.  We are heading out for a two night camping trip.  The Lemondrop has not been used enough this year.  I hope to remedy that over the next month or so.  Homeschooling should allow us the flexibility right?!

And just so you know how serious we are about soccer here are some shots of them in action.

 Keegan making his opponent work.

Avery leaping over the boy 3 years older than her to stay on the ball.

And Tripp (#1).......he adds chaos and confusion to the players....hehehe I love that boy.

.....and just so you know, I jest about the seriousness of our soccer playing.  I just insist that they do something.  I think a being part of team is an awesome life lesson.

What We Have Been Up To

Since I last posted summer has finished up.  It flew by this year I swear!!  I have some photos to upload of some of the things we did this summer, I am going to share the start of our school year instead.  I have brought the kids back home for the beginning of this year.  I had thought I would homeschool them all year long, but after some more thought on the matter I am only keeping them home until the start of the new year. 

 Why go to that trouble you may wonder?  Because I am going to my hometown for an extended stay during the holidays.  My kids would have needed to miss 7 weeks of school, which if you have kids in the school system you know doesn't fly.  So besides using this opportunity to help my girl get some math facts mastered and letting my boys be boys we are just enjoying this little break.  

Tripp (K)

Keegan(3)

Avery(5)

I love the idea of homeschooling.  I KNOW it works.  In my head it is awesome.  In my reality it just really doesn't fit.  My husband has a job that requires him to work away, a lot. I am left to hold down the fort.  Some can do it with ease it seems but when I try I feel like I lose a little of myself.  Then I spend sleepless nights beating myself up over my lack of abilities.  Which I know are lies, but things my brain tells itself none the less.  

So here's to hoping the next 4 months go by with ease and as little complications as necessary!

Back to PA

We are currently back in PA. We are busy doing a lot of nothing. Which I find perfect. However some of us are turning into butterfly hunters.

He is super serious and does it for hours.

We are meeting new cousins.  This is my new nephew Owen.  I got to meet him a few minutes after he was born.  But we left the next morning for home.  So this is the first quality time we have spent with him.

My girl is in heaven!!!!

I am minus a kid cause he is off on a traditional bow festival adventure with his Pappy.  I envision him running through the northern mountains of Pennsylvania with mud streaks on his face and bare chested.

The Lemondrop has AC

My parents came for a week long visit over the 4th.  It was a treat!  While here my dad tackled my need for an AC unit in the Lil' Lemondrop.  

 (4th of July photo)

This is what we came up with.  It is totally removable so it doesn't mess with the integrity of my vintage camper.  The box, stand, and AC unit will come off when traveling or if it is cool enough in the year to not need it.  Once at the site all quickly and easily goes up.   

The results were that of a walk in freezer once on.  I am going to spice up the inside of the box when I get a chance.  My dad and I are a great team!  Now there is no weather that scares us when we take the tiny trailer out!

Fishin'

Keegan has been determined to catch every fish in the pond across from our house.  So far he hasn't done too bad.  For a boy that the teacher kept saying had a "focus" problem, he sure can focus on something he loves!!

 Um after looking at the above photos I realized how badly he needed a hair cut.

 And then just messing around in the drive through line.  The fam minus the man!!

The kids have been at VBS all week.  They have had an awesome time.  Tripp had to miss today cause that boy has had me up every night with the croup.  His ear now has an infection and we might need to discuss tubes again. Booooo