Camping at 11 Mile

It's no surprise that this post has been in my drafts now for over a week. I already went over how I start things, and then never get around to finishing what I started or putting whatever it is that I had intentions of doing, off for weeks and weeks and .... months even. Procrastination should have been my middle name even though I always have good intentions to do things right away. It's a fact of life that I have to just accept, it's the way I am, although I don't want to be.

Anyways, I guess it's high time that I just move on, right? Besides, I have no idea where I was going with that notion.

We went camping recently with some friends of ours. It was sort of a thrown together, let's go camping on a whim type decision but you know what? It was fantastic. The weather was perfect. The kids all got along! And the dogs, they did too. We squeezed in some hiking, some geocaching and even some fishing. We had eggs, sausage and bacon for breakfast every morning complete with fresh brewed coffee and roasted marshmallows over the fire at night to make s'mores. We even had a 'restroom' close by, which was something I was not expecting. Our campsite was huge, surrounded by rocks and was shaded just perfectly with tall evergreens. And there was a damn nearby so the sound of rushing water at night was just.....relaxing. The sky was filled to the brim with stars at the darkest of night, we even manage to see some satellites go skimming by. And the wildlife? We heard some noises in the wee hours of the morning but had no encounters. I was most concerned with bears.

So, without further ado, the photos. Because YOU KNOW I took tons....

Our campsite

The river, which was filled on a consistent basis with fly fishermen

TRUMAN

We hiked this rock formation, notably called 'Baboon Rock'

Here. Have a closer look

You see it?

Bonus points if you can identify the rock climbers in the above photos.

Okay fine, here's a clue. Can you see them?

The spectacular view from the top

That's the damn we could hear from our campsite at night. And while you can't spot our actual campsite in the photo, just imagine it being somewhere in the trees to the right of the red roofed structure in that photo. Also? That's Eleven Mile Reservoir.

Yes, we were as high as the birds!

We had such a good time, I can't wait to do it again.

NEWSFLASH

Today while I was on a work conference call, a call beeped in but didn't show up on the caller id. I didn't think too much of it, figured it was a telemarketer or something. I went about my business.

Not too long after Keven caught up to me online to ask if I had gotten a call from day-camp. I started to get worried thinking maybe one of the kids had gotten hurt, or maybe sick and felt bad that I had missed the call. Obviously Keven had received a call as well.

But it was a good call!

Isaac called both of us to very proudly tell us that he learned how to ride his bike today! As soon as the boys got home, we headed straight down to the park so that he could show us that yes indeed....

He could ride his bike!

We are so proud of him. So, so very proud!

For the Love of Baseball

It's not ironic that I started this post about mid-way through baseball season and here we are several weeks later at the end of the season. That's how I roll you guys, I start something and it takes me (insert random time frame here) to finish what I started.

WELCOME TO MY LIFE. See also: This blog.

So. Last night would have marked the last and final game however it was cancelled; due to weather. The end of the season party was still a go though, and let me just say this: It was fun.

At the start of the season we weren't really sure what we were getting ourselves into. Keven and I had visions of early Saturday morning practices and early morning games. We were totally convinced that once we took the plunge and signed our kid up for an organized sport, that our weekends were OVER. Never again would we be able to do anything we wanted because the sport - it was going to take up all of our time. And on top of that we weren't even sure that Keven Jr. would enjoy playing baseball. There are a lot of rules and stuff. It's confusing!

But that's where we were wrong! We were wrong in assuming all of that stuff because it was....nothing like that at all. The season started off with two practices a week, only for an hour and a half and those practices? Were so much fun that they flew by in what seemed like 10 minutes. The coach was wonderful. The assistant coaches were wonderful. The kids were wonderful! The parents were wonderful! And Keven Jr. did wonderful! I mean, not to brag or anything.......

Okay FINE - excuse me while I gloat:

I really do think that he was one of the stronger kids on the team. And yes he did sort of start out shy and nonchalant and unsure about things but once he realized he could do it? His confidence shined through and seriously - the kid has a knack for baseball.

Once we had four practices under our belt, the games started and those too flew by in a blink of an eye. The kids learned so much, and improved so much - it was just a really awesome thing to see unfold right before our eyes, complete with those warm and fuzzy feelings and all.

The boy brought home a trophy last night. He asked if he could wear his jersey to school next week. And well, I think we'll see you again at the field next year.

After we finish up a season of soccer.