Deep Creek Camping

This past weekend we got to go to Deep Creek and camp. Our family has really turned to camping and any other outdoor adventure we can go do. Maddie is such an outdoorsy girl and I love that. She really loves to camp. 

We normally go with our group of friends and it's fun, but this time we decided to switch it up and just do a family camping trip. We had so much fun. It did take three hours to get there and Maddie was more than ready to get out and play, but it was well worth the trip. It was a gorgeous trip up there. Country side viewing. Barns. Open Land. Changing leaves. Oh man! I was in heaven. As soon as we got there, Maddie was out the door and running in the woods. She noticed right away that there were chipmunks everywhere and took off to go chase and follow them. 😄

We got there and started setting up camp.  Well, I guess I should clarify that Jeff set up and I held Jackson. Haha. I did put him in the jumper once it was set up and did help where I could. We grilled up some burgers for dinner and paired it with some chips. For dessert, Jeff was excited to try out a recipe that he remembered down my when he was growing up. I don't think he remembered exactly how to do it.... Or maybe we did it wrong... But it didn't turn out the way he wanted and he refused to eat it. But Maddie and I did eat some of it. After that it was bed for the kiddos and relaxing time for Jeff and I. Jackson has been teething, so he was a little congested. That came into play at sleeping time. He ended up sleeping with us or on us to keep warm and keep his head raised. I felt bad for him. The cold weather at night just didn't help.

 The next day we fried up some bacon, made some scrambled eggs, and pancakes. It was delicious and a good way to warm up after a cold night. We got changed and headed towards Swallow Falls. Maddie was so excited about going. When we got there, we couldn't keep up with her. We had to tell her to slow down and wait for us several times. Haha. We walked around on the paths and got some really great scenery that day. I can only imagine how beautiful it would be during the change of leaves. Maddie was scarying me a bit with how close she was getting to the ledge. She has no fear. Once we saw all of the different fall they had to offer, we walked back to the truck and grabbed our lunch we packed and had a little picnic lunch. Afterwards, we took Maddie to the little beach they had at the lake. We sat in the shade while she played in the sand and water. She had so much fun. We were finally able to round her up and head back to camp so we could start on our fire for dinner.  We set out to try a new recipe for dinner. We decided that since it was just us, we could try something new and see if it would be something we would do again or not. It was a bbq chicken/bacon/ potato dish. Jeff and I thought it was good. Maddie is not a huge fan of bbq sauce, so I am sure she didn't care too much for it. She was a trooper and did eat a good majority of it. That night we got to do s'mores and Maddie couldn't have been happier. :) not only did she learn how to start her own fire that morning, but she got to roast marshmallows and eat a s'more. A little after we got the kiddos to bed it started to rain pretty good, so we had to hurry and close up shop and run in the tent. 

Sunday morning, we got up and had muffins and fruit to go with our hot chocolate and coffee. It was another cold morning, but so fun. As usual, Maddie was running around in the woods having so much fun. She begged to stay another day because she loved it out there so much. Unfortunately, we had to pick up and head back to reality. We did get to make a stop at Sonic's for lunch though and grab a slush. So I guess there was a positive about heading back. 

We are already talking about our next camping trip, but I think it may be too late in the year to do another one and not freeze. Bummer. Let's hope we can get a few more trips in before we move on to our next location. We really enjoy our outdoor outings and are always trying to see what else we can do. 

Until next time... Have fun, be safe, and enjoy life... 

Lori 

It's been a while ...

Well, it's been a while since I have written. I'm sure you know how it goes. Life gets crazy and before you know it so much time has passed and you aren't sure where it went.  So let me play a quick catch up with you and I'll see if I have some pictures to share with you. 

We moved up to Maryland for Jeff's new job. It was such a change, but it turns out we have really loved being up here. I am really surprised at how much I enjoy it up here. I am a country loving, slow paced girl. Being up here is not that at all. It's so fast paced. People are always in a rush and not the nicest of folks at times. And everyone is on top of each other with housing. Other than that, I love that there is so much to do up here. You can drive 30 minutes and get into Washington, D.C.  Or drive 15 and arrive in Baltimore. Or how about a 4 hour bus ride and you're in New York City? An hour and your in a few other states. To me, that is amazing. I love getting out and being able to see so many things and learn new things. We can take a small drive and get to pick fruit and veggies. Madison has really enjoyed that. There is so much history around here to be seen. We have really tried to take advantage and go see as much as we can. We are running out of time now and really trying to get in as much as we can. I still have a long bucket list for maryland before I'm allowed to move. Haha.  

Maddie started kindergarten last year and is now in first grade. She has really enjoyed school. She is always waking up before she needs to and is ready to go well before she has to leave. This year I decided to let her ride the bus. She wanted to ride since last year, but I just wasn't there yet and needed to take baby steps. Now she is begging me to let her walk to and from the bus stop by herself. I keep telling her baby steps. We agreed when she's 10 she can walk by herself ;) this year and last she has told me she has wanted to be a cow girl when she grows up. I love that she wants to be that. I'm very curious if she sticks with that or if that changes as she grows up. I would gladly live in her farm. 

We have a new addition to our family. :) we welcomed Jackson into our family March 17,2015. He was a big baby weighing in at 10 pounds and 7 ounces. He has been such a blessing to our family and I honestly couldn't be more happy to have him in our family. He is naturally a very happy and smiley baby.  He just turned six months and is growing way too quickly. He is almost into 12 month clothing. 

I'm very busy with being dance mom, just signed up for PTA, a stay at home mommy to my newest kiddo, volunteering in a wives group, a marine wife in general, and trying to make as many memories as I can with family and friends. 

We have found an amazing church I fell in love with up here. I always feel so light and refreshed walking out of there. Because of it, I have made an amazing group of friends that I wouldn't change for anything.  They have been with us through a lot and they have become very dare to my heart. 

For those of you who actually read this already know all of this, but it feels weird not to have a refresher post. So hang in there and I'll actually start posting more on a regular basis now. My hope is to post on here and place pictures here rather than Facebook. I really only keep the blog to keep our family informed on what is going on with us since we are always on the move. We are about to make another big move, but you'll have to stay tuned to read all about that. 😃

Until then...  have fun, keep save, and enjoy life. 

Lori