Second Camping Adventure of the Year

Last weekend we went on our second camping adventure of the year right down the road at Cheyenne Mountain State Park.  Pat ran in 25k trail race Saturday so we thought it was a good chance to get the camping crazy boys out again before May gets busy.  The weather finally cooperated for a couple of days too.

As soon as I arrived with the boys Friday afternoon they unloaded all of the cars and trains they packed and buried them in the rocks.  They had a blast playing in the dirt and rocks from the moment we arrived Friday until we packed up Sunday morning.

Pat set up their little tent Saturday morning before he left for his race so they had a great surprise when they went out that morning.

Playing on the podiums while we were waiting for Pat to finish.

Having a post-race rest with dad after he crossed the finish line.

Making "yucky stew".  It is Gus and Cormac's absolute favorite thing to do while camping.  They have been waiting since September to do this again. Cadel was able to join in the fun this time.

Bubbles, Bubbles

We finally had a break in our weather to get outside a little last week. Cormac hasn't been able to use his bubble machine much since he received it for his birthday so we got that out and loaded it up. The boys had a blast playing in the all the bubbles.

Dress Like Dad Day

This week Gus had "Dress Like Dad" Day at preschool. He wanted to wear his Army "costume" as he calls it. He has grown so much this year that the pants are way too short so he wore the blouse and a hat. He was so excited--he even had Pat take him to school that day because they were wearing the same thing.

First Camping Trip of the Year

This past weekend was our first trip in the Airstream for this year.  We went to Chatfield State Park up in Littleton (suburb of Denver).  We had this one planned for awhile because the boys were bugging us to go.  We were hoping for better weather but this is a weird year and we keep getting spring snow.  We left Friday morning and there was still snow at our house.  It ended up being decent weather in the 50s but none of that mattered to three boys--they were thrilled to be camping!

Saturday morning we were able to see several hot-air balloons from our campsite right across the Chatfield Reservoir.

The boys wasted no time getting into the dirt and mud.  They started Friday when we got there and pretty much remained filthy for the rest of the weekend.  They loved it!

We took a hike down to the reservoir and Gus and Cormac had a great time throwing rocks, tree limbs and shells in the water.

Cormac carried this enormous tree limb around for awhile before finding the right spot to throw it in the water.

"How should we get over this tree in the path?"

Gus made it but Cormac got a little hung up.  Going under would have been easier but Cormac has never been known to do things the easy way.

"Fishing" in the reservoir.  They kept wondering why no fish were coming to their branches...I can't imagine why.

Our campsite.

A boy and his dog.

Boys busy finding kindling for a campfire.

Enjoying the fruits of their labor.

A year and a half

Cadel had his 18 month check-up today.  He weighs 25 lbs. 7.2 oz.  He is 34 inches tall now. He hasn't gained much weight from his 15 month check-up--this is in part to the nurse weighing him in his clothes last time and I guess he is just focusing on getting taller instead.  Otherwise, he looks great and is reaching all the milestones for a boy his age.  He was also the lucky recipient of two vaccines which he was none too happy about but was fine as soon as it was all over.

He is a mischievous little guy--he loves to sneak around and get into stuff.  He runs and jumps and generally tries to keep up with his brothers.  He loves to be outside but also likes cars, trains and books.

Busy boys

Just some recent pictures of some of busy boys.

Cadel is into everything, all the time.

Busy making masterpieces.

Another artist at work.

Sheriff Gus.

Watch out for the Tickle Monster.

Busy playing, but I added this one because it shows him in Cormac's snow boots.  Cadel has a shoe thing--he always has to be wearing some.  Usually he just wants his own but he even has to have them on over his footie pajamas.  He also really likes wearing rain or snow boots, sometimes just one is enough.

"Now here is a game I like to call fun in a box."

My boys have always been easily entertained with boxes (see previous posts on robots, tanks, and special deliveries) so when we recently bought a deep freeze I knew we had to save the box to make a house/fort out of it.

On a side note I know I am really getting old when I get so excited about a deep freeze--hello middle age!--but it is so nice to have.

I cut a door and some windows in the box and then let Gus and Cormac go with "decorating".  They even brought out a little reading light to put inside so they could read books.  It should last a while since it is a pretty heavy cardboard box and they are having a good time with it.  They randomly go in to hang out or read books.  Cadel thinks it is pretty awesome too.

Doing some work on the exterior.

 Putting some last minute touches on the interior design which includes their names.  I have been told that girls are not allowed in there.

Reading some books.

What are you guys doing???

Just in case

On the way to drop Gus off at preschool and run some errands Cormac makes a point to tell me, "Mom, I brought my life saber in case there's trouble."

You never know when you will need one.