October CAMPING...

 

With September being such a busy month we hardly had any time to camp so when October rolled around we were quick to check out some local camp grounds for some casual weekend camping.

The first weekend in October we headed out to Fidalgo Bay Resort in Anacortes.  We ride our bikes through this camp ground all the time but have never actually stayed there.  Lucky for us we got a spot and had lots of visitors throughout the weekend...

The hill behind our site proved to be one of the best sources of entertainment for the weekend...

Emily made friends with the people camped next to us immediately.  This little girl was two years older than Emily and she and her parents were touring the United States in their RV for 6 MONTHS straight.  It was so much fun to hear about all of their adventures and made us to some thinking ourselves...

Besides jumping off the huge rock outside our trailer, the kids found great entertainment in riding various modes of transportation down the hill...

The next morning Bryan, I and the kids kids rode our bikes down the Tommy Thompson Trail to the Anacortes Farmer's Market...

After our fun at the market we headed over to LaConner to check out one of the farms that were part of the Skagit Valley Farms tours.  Last year we hit A LOT of farms but this year we stuck to one of our favorites and then headed back to camp...

The kids LOVE making the vegetable cars and racing them down the track each year...

Emily spent all of her time decorating hers...

After a lot of racing we headed to the tractor to take a tour of the farm...

While we were touring the farm a reporter from the Skagit Valley Herald took a picture and featured a few of us on the front page of the newspaper...

Later that afternoon, while Charlie was sleeping, Emily and Jack rode their bikes out over the water while I ran along side them...

When we got back to camp we had a special surprise waiting for us...Grandma and Grandpa Jones!

The kids played all night and then the next day we rode our bikes back into town to get some treats at the Donut House.  By the time we got back it was time to pack up, say our good-byes and head on back home.

Charlie...

Now that Emily is in school ALL day long and Jack has preschool a few hours a day, Charlie and I have had some special bonding time together.  This little guy is so full of personality, making every minute a fun new adventure....

I think it is also safe to say that he is almost completely potty trained as well.  A few weeks back I stopped and bought him this little potty since he was aching to start going potty inside the house. He is pretty reluctant for number but he is a whiz at peeing standing up like the big boys...

 

finishing up SEPTEMBER birthdays...

On the third Sunday in September we headed up to celebrate all of the September birthdays.  Grandpa Jones, Bryan, me, Emily and Jack all have September birthdays, making it a big celebration each year.  This year was particularly special because Grandpa Jones turned 60...

Jack wore his favorite new outfit, cowboys boots and his cowboy hat...

LOVE cousin time...

After the celebration we headed back to Mount Vernon to celebrate Annie and Jack's 4th birthday...

It was a little too windy on the deck so we moved inside...

The following Friday was my birthday.  Bryan and Chris were in class all weekend so Mary Elizabeth through me a little party.  I brought some party favors for the kids to distract them and give us a little mom time...

The kids LOVED these new chocolate and strawberry straws...

Finally it was time to sing me "Happy Birthday" and eat the delicious cake they made me...

I have to say that I am not one who usually cares to celebrate my birthday or not, but Mary Elizabeth and the kids made it the perfect evening.  We are pretty lucky to have such wonderful friends.