Camping Trip #2!

we realized this number of camping trip experiences relate to both oren and to lucy. I have to admit oren did better this time, but it totally wasn't lucy's fault. A group of kids decided it would be fun to set off fireworks over the lake. No, we didn't enjoy them along with the rest of the campers - we were busy trying to pry lucy off the roof of the tent. poor thing is terrified of fireworks...we even contemplated packing up and driving home. luckily the kids must not have had much of a fireworks budget. thankfully, oren slept through the entire thing.

terrified puppy aside...the weekend was a relative success.

of course nothing went as planned:

Lost Lake turned into Laurence Lake - both on the flanks of Mt. Hood. unfortunately Ron and Peggy decided to take us up on the offer of driving up to camp with us...but we thought Ron was working so didn't relay the change in campsite. They drove all around Lost lake with not a sign of us - cuz we weren't there!!! (they apparently "had a nice drive, and bought lots of fruit" - insert me feeling terrible!!!) ...next time.

can anyone say WINDY? we of course chose a site fairly well shielded from the wind, but whew! did it blow. and crazy tent neighbors were getting a kick out of burning every tiny ash-generating piece of groundcover...grrr...

several atypical food mishaps this time:

meatballs for dinner! - totally burnt in the fire = inedible.

pita bread stuffed with roasted veggies! - chipmunk stole the pita.

blueberry pancakes for breakfast! - forgot the pancake mix.

sunday AM brought rain, and since we weren't crazy about repeating our previous day's breakfast of oatmeal, we packed up quickly and headed into Hood River for a tasty breakfast at Bette's Place.

of course the s'mores worked just fine. yum!

and ian's idea of brie warmed in the fire was yummy with the fresh baked bread we brought from home.

a few photos from our adventure:

goodness i love this laugh.

our brand spankin' new tent/palace.

from the inside...sooo spacious! and ian can stand fully upright!! i say - this height is necessary for bouncing a baby to sleep.

good morning.

oren can hold his own bottle now

tasty breakfast

someone (me) forgot the pancake mix...always have a back-up plan.

we try to keep a regular nap schedule...totally worked, he slept for 2+ hours!

sticking his tongue out at me.

first time fishing (for oren)!!

keeping lucy busy..when she's not swimming.

21.5# !!!

can't believe it - oren weighs over 20 lbs!

no wonder my body aches some days....

we did it!

well, after one night of implementing plan 'b' (ian's parents' house) we made our first camping trip with oren really happen. Friday night we drove out to camp along the nestucca river, but unfortunately all the campsites were full...well, all except for one next to some pretty rowdy country-music blasting guys...not our first choice for tent neighbors. and we didn't think they would appreciate an early oren wake-up the next morning anyway. so plan 'b' was put into effect for the first night.

after a little bit of research and a good recommendation from peggy, we got up the next morning, ate a yummy breakfast, and drove off in search of plan 'c'. lucky us! we arrived at Spruce Run campground just as a group of campers was leaving...and it was for a fantastic walk-in site to boot! we are already planning our next trip (and shopping for our very own car-camping tent!)

here are a few photos:

this one is so darn cute i had to post, but couldn't rotate it...sorry.

our lovely campsite was down this path in the trees...

you can see the vastness of the tent illustrated here - it doesn't quite fit on the tent pad! (thanks again s and t!!)

friendly reminder: always check your gear BEFORE you leave

cute boys, fuzzy photo

nothin' like napin' in the great outdoors!

lucy had fun too, although she would have really liked to go swimming.

daddy needed a nap too.

and i think my arms have outgrown my sleeves!!

gelbrich bbq

We enjoyed a fun family bbq last weekend at Ian's parents house. Jerry and Deborah brought the newest Duck in the family up from california for his freshman orientation. GO DUCKS! We hope to see a lot more of them now that Taylor is (somewhat) in the neighborhood. As always - yummy food, wine and company made for a super weekend!

and stay tuned...this weekend we will attempt our first camping trip with both Oren and Lucy. wish us luck!! I'm feeling optimistic.

oren enjoying someone's joke...

travis & sharon looking fabulous...

oren sleeping so sweetly...

nannie setting up the tent for her night in the great outdoors with nathan & aidan...

uncle jerry getting some oren time...

thirsty!