Tuesday, January 15, 2013

A wonderful weekend

The weather at the start of this weekend was wonderful and me and Ken took full advantage of it.  If you know me at all, you know I am a kind of spur of the moment do whatever pops in my head kind of person.  However, when I tell my ideas to Ken I get a long list of why it probably isn't going to happen because he is an anti-spur of the moment person.

For example this Friday I text Ken and mentioned we should grab the pop up and head to Pere Marquette and camp Friday night then go do some eagle watching.  Kens response was:
I haven't check the tires in a year
What about the bearings, I haven't checked them yet either.
What if it gets cold and the heater doesn't work
Do we even know what is in the camper and what we need to take

After the bearing remark (which I mean seriously who thinks about that stuff) I said forget it lets just head up to our camper in Cool Creek and stay there for the night.  So that was going to be our plan.  And as much as I HATE to say it, it was a good thing because our camper sustained some damage the night before and Tom called us as we were walking out the door to ask us to come up there and see what happened.  And sure enough, there was a limb stuck in our pullout.

 See this limb, it doesn't belong there

 Ugh, right through the roof.  


Kim and Tom are the best campground hosts ever.  Tom checks the campers about once a week and lucky for us he checked ours Friday.  He thinks this happened Thursday night during the rain they got, so it was caught quickly and beside messing up the paneling there was hardly any damage.  Tom helped Ken patch the hole and is going to put a new roof on it hopefully this week.  We got very lucky.

After Ken fixed the hole we went to Diamond Mineral for dinner then back to the campsite and sat around the fire pit.  As we were the only ones there, it was so peaceful and quiet I never wanted to leave.  But after having to go potty outside in the middle of the night I decided that maybe waiting till the campground opened before spending the night again wasn't such a bad idea  : D

Saturday morning we headed to Alton to do some eagle watching.  We got there at the perfect time because we saw quite a few circling overhead looking for breakfast.  And once again our lessons learned in Yellowstone paid off well, when you see cars pulled over, pull over yourself.  


 Majestic

I wish I could zoom this picture in because you would see that in a stroke of good luck I snapped this picture right as the eagle was coming up with a fish.   
 This eagles name is redemption.   Ever since we went to Yellowstone it has been the family joke that I can't see wildlife if it was sitting on the hood of the car.  All of our trips we have taken always go like this:
Kids and Ken:  Look an elk
Me:  Where?
Kids and Ken:  Look a bear
Me:  Where?
Kids and Ken:  Look an eagle
Me:  Where?
Kids and Ken:  RIGHT THERE!!!!!!!!!

So after a few minutes of this Saturday Ken made me drive so he could be on the lookout.  And who saw this eagle sitting in the tree?  ME!!!!  While I was driving.  So phhhhttttttt

 We ended our day at the Audubon Center at the Riverlands.  I have never been there and have always wanted to go.  On Heron Pond there were probably about 100 Trumpeter Swans.  There were beautiful, and when they took off into the air, it took my breath away.


This was probably one of the better weekends I have had in a long time and I am very glad me and Ken got to spend it together.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Christmas Morning

Here are some pictures from Christmas morning.  Unfortunately I have no idea where my little red camera is and that is the camera I used to take pictures of Trevor first thing that morning.  With that being said, I will be posting Christmas pics in the middle of other pics if I even find the stinkin' thing.


 Cate was ready to open gifts!

 Trevor has no idea what is going on




 Brady bought Trevor a stuffed animal at school.  How sweet is he!






 I made the boys go on a scavenger hunt to find their gift  : D  I drive them crazy!!!


 BB Guns!!!!!!

 Ken and Jon showing them the correct way to shoot and care for them


Trevor says MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

A Wonderful Christmas

This was the best Christmas I have had in a long time.  I always enjoy this time of year best, but this year it seems I was able to enjoy it a little more than usual.  I am sure Trevor played a big part in this, but also Ken was off quite a bit so we were able to do some really fun things.  Needles to say, it was an amazing month and I am looking forward to next year when Trevor actually knows what is going on (even though Jon probably won't be here and that makes me REALLY sad)


 Our rock stars first Christmas

 On Sunday December 23, 2012 we went to Jen's for lunch to celebrate Christmas with Butch and Barb.  We had sandwiches and played with the kids.  It was a very relaxing, enjoyable day.

 Delaney waiting patiently to open presents

 Best Buddies Forever

 He is so silly


 Jen bought Trevor Baby Einstein books and read some to Trevor

 The girls informed me that whenever Trevor throws up on the blanket their mom just moves him to a different spot  : )

Christmas Eve we went back to Jen's to spend the evening with Eileen and Ed and his family.  Once again the dinner was wonderful and everyone enjoyed themselves and talked for what seemed like forever.  Alan's cousin from England was there so Ken and Jake pretty much picked his brain all night about the differences in each others cultures.  Ken was unsuccessful in making them Manchester United fans!

 Proof Ken does know how to do SOMETHING in the kitchen


 This picture cracks me up!!!!  Wonder who she learned picture taking from?




 The girls seemed to be happy with the scooters we bought them for Christmas.  Harper rode hers around all night long.

 Harper cracks Trevor up!

Trevor got so many wonderful things.  He has already worn his train outfits and loves the noise of the table Jen bought.

Another Christmas Eve for the record books.  Now to get ready for Christmas morning!!!!