Hi all!
We are now in Mitchell, SD. But I'll get to that. Maybe tomorrow. But, it might still be a couple of days before I get caught up. MAN have we been busy.
Soooooooooo......Chicago....busy, busy, busy.
First - one of the Dinette chairs fell off the wall en route....apparently it's a common problem, and not completely due to us having it over packed. Although - my guess is that it was a contributing factor. NEXT time we move we are having a huge party. Noone will be allowed to bring any alcohol, they will have to make due with what we have. It is amazing the number of bottles we have - some I'm not even sure where (or when) they came from. I'm sure at least a couple of them made the trip with us from OR to VA 10 years ago...
So, to the closest Keystone dealer the camper went - just over an hour away....and OF COURSE....we didn't bring suitcases, so we had to unload the camper the same we loaded it. A million trips later, Matt's parents didn't recognized their own home. Just to hit the highlights, while we were there, we celebrated Faith's birthday, went to Cypress Cove Water Park, the Kane County Cougars baseball game (on Father's day), played at the Clarendon Hill's pool, tested a couple of new restaurants, watched Ryan's Little League and Hannah's softball games, visited Michelle's Aunt Flo, cousin Lisa and her kids - and, of course, did our "not camping" day. All in all....the boys are thinking that cousins are where it is at. They are once again over tired, over stimulated, but having the time of their lives. This is the first year that they have been able too, or wanted too, venture out a bit. And with all these older cousins, are starting to feel a bit more grown up. Although, a couple of SHORT separations have resulted in little boys who make sure they know where we are...
So....Des Moines. Saw it. We were supposed to camp there. We didn't. We were on schedule to leave at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. Instead, 9 a.m. found Michelle (that would be me - Matt might actually post here sometime, but I doubt it) in the dentist chair getting her first (and hopefully LAST) root canal. ooooohhhhhhh - fun times. So, we skipped Des Moines, and left Chicago at 3 a.m.. Sunday morning for Omaha.
Omaha, LOTS of fun. We had dinner with Michelle's cousin and his family we spent alot of time with Scott and Kristi when we were first married (and we lived closer to each other) so it was a lot of fun to see each other again. It's been 10 years, their kids were not quite 4 and 15 months the last time we saw them! Their son is wonderful with children, he gets right down and talks to them, and was very comfortable holding Miss Steph. And, their daughter, well, let's just say that at least one of the boys would not let her out of his sight. The boys loved their pool, trampoline, and the waterslide park we visited on Tuesday.
I think this is where I will stop for today. As much fun as we had with S&K - at least for now, Omaha has left a hole in our hearts. I'm giving it 24 more hours.
We have 3 days at Mt. Rushmore - I hope to be able to find the time to post some pictures soon.
nite!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Not Really Camping...
We are in the Wisconsin Dells now. We met up with Michelle's cousin and his family and a had a GREAT time. 10 hours at water parks with a short break for dinner. The boys are exhausted and sleeping in a windowless room. We have decided to let them sleep AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. Check out time is 11 a.m., so we are hoping for 10:55.
This is where we are staying http://www.wildernessresort.com/ I definately recommend it. And for those of you with timeshares, if it is on your list, the accomodations are VERY nice. It is very family oriented, but has some very nice restaurants as well. And, they even worked with us and the kids - the boys had their very first experience with cloth napkins and 3 forks at dinner last night - they put us in our own room, with a beautiful view of the lake, but if things had gotten, shall we say, out of hand - they could close the door. BUT, the boys - all of them - behaved beautifully!!!! We were even impressed.
5 is going to be an interesting year, the boys are getting very independent, and FAST. They have different interests and so often head in different directions. They can understand basic rules, so were able to have some independent play, but each of them got scared (separate times) when they suddenly discovered they had lost one of us....each time was only minutes, we knew pretty much where there were, but they are as I said FAST. Not as grown up as they think they are yet I guess. But to say they had fun would be a gross understatement......We will definately plan on coming back here - perhaps when Stephanie is about 5.........
Anyway today it's back to Chicago for Faith's birthday, and then to the carnival at Daisy Days.
This is where we are staying http://www.wildernessresort.com/ I definately recommend it. And for those of you with timeshares, if it is on your list, the accomodations are VERY nice. It is very family oriented, but has some very nice restaurants as well. And, they even worked with us and the kids - the boys had their very first experience with cloth napkins and 3 forks at dinner last night - they put us in our own room, with a beautiful view of the lake, but if things had gotten, shall we say, out of hand - they could close the door. BUT, the boys - all of them - behaved beautifully!!!! We were even impressed.
5 is going to be an interesting year, the boys are getting very independent, and FAST. They have different interests and so often head in different directions. They can understand basic rules, so were able to have some independent play, but each of them got scared (separate times) when they suddenly discovered they had lost one of us....each time was only minutes, we knew pretty much where there were, but they are as I said FAST. Not as grown up as they think they are yet I guess. But to say they had fun would be a gross understatement......We will definately plan on coming back here - perhaps when Stephanie is about 5.........
Anyway today it's back to Chicago for Faith's birthday, and then to the carnival at Daisy Days.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Showers are good.
REALLY GOOD.C
Yes, I know, we all know this - but sometimes they are just better than others.
Let me back up.
On Saturday, we worked FRANTICALLY trying to get the house ready to "go" so we could leave early Sunday. We took the boys and a friend to "the chip house" for a final dinner there.....and worked until 11 ish that night. Then showered and slept. Come 6ish we were up again and running. We finally hit the road at 12:20 p.m. - we got to our campsite at Fox Den Acres, New Stanton, PA shortly after 10 p.m. Yep. Once again, our first night setting up a camper IN THE DARK. We did this with our pop up too - only then it was raining and cold....and needed more set up. Finally got the kids to sleep and crashed ourselves close to midnight. Thankfully, my watch band is broken, so when I really don't want to know what time it is - I just don't ask. They actually let us sleep until almost 7::30!!!!!! So it was, 10 a.m. by the time we were ready to go - with a long day ahead, we didn't bother with showers.
CAMPSITE REVIEW.......FOX DEN ACRES, NEW STANTON, PA
It looked (from the little we saw) like a nice place - sites were big, and because it was uncrowded, drive-thrus were easy to find. Showers were extra $$ - and as I stated, I didn't check them out, but based on the rest of the site, I woud guess they are pretty clean. There were (according to the map) 3 playgrounds, a pool, and a fishing pond. Most of the people there were .... seasoned campers .... although, school in many areas is not out yet, so I could be wrong on that.... :) Easy to get to - NO TRAIN TRACKS nearby....and a hill with a much slighter grade to depart by...I'd definately like to give it another stay...but I would want to arrive before dark (DUH!!)
So, today. Lots of construction, lots of hills, 2 overtired boys who have already been couped up for a day and want NOTHING more than to play in the pool.....so naturally, they sat quietly in the back seat while we drove, and drove, and drove......and a baby who JUST learned to crawl, back in a carseat for 2 days straight. Yeah. It was a fun loooooooong drive - we got here - the South Bend East KOA, just about 7:30 p.m. They rode their bikes, and after a LATE dinner went to the pool. Matt gave the water temp as a good solid "needs a good 1200-1400 yard warmup" before it would be close to comfy (and by then my toes would be numb) so we'll say 70-71 degrees..... Pool was good - got the kids in jammies, did stories, prayers, Matt went to the store (bread, milk, cereal) and then the shower. I feel better than I have in 2 days. WAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY better.
CAMPSITE REVIEW - KOA, SOUTH BEND EAST, IN
Good news - we knew we were back at a campsite. Yep. Right by a train track, although, I must say, they are much quieter when you are in travel trailer than they were in a pop-up. Part of that, of course, is that we are further away. AND closer to the bathhouses - a nice plus. I like this campground - lots of trees, big sites, the neighbors we have anyway have been friendly - hope yours are too. Pool is nice, and close to our site - but not heated, so early in the season will be a bit chilly - esp. in the evenings and early mornings. Bathrooms - VERY NICE. Did I mention they are VERY NICE. Women's bathroom is large with plenty of floospace, sinks and mirrors (I think 8). Showers are in individual rooms, so are available to male/female alike. They are roomy with lots of hooks, a stool, nice floors, good water pressure, and hot water. Definately would come back.....the area - well, I don't know what is here really but, a nice place to overnight for sure, and would be a relaxing weekend....grocery store is close by too.
Alrighty - tomorrow is Chicago. Will try to post some pictures in the next day or so...but for now, it is apparently AGAIN approaching 11, and I need to sleep.
GOOD NIGHT.......
Yes, I know, we all know this - but sometimes they are just better than others.
Let me back up.
On Saturday, we worked FRANTICALLY trying to get the house ready to "go" so we could leave early Sunday. We took the boys and a friend to "the chip house" for a final dinner there.....and worked until 11 ish that night. Then showered and slept. Come 6ish we were up again and running. We finally hit the road at 12:20 p.m. - we got to our campsite at Fox Den Acres, New Stanton, PA shortly after 10 p.m. Yep. Once again, our first night setting up a camper IN THE DARK. We did this with our pop up too - only then it was raining and cold....and needed more set up. Finally got the kids to sleep and crashed ourselves close to midnight. Thankfully, my watch band is broken, so when I really don't want to know what time it is - I just don't ask. They actually let us sleep until almost 7::30!!!!!! So it was, 10 a.m. by the time we were ready to go - with a long day ahead, we didn't bother with showers.
CAMPSITE REVIEW.......FOX DEN ACRES, NEW STANTON, PA
It looked (from the little we saw) like a nice place - sites were big, and because it was uncrowded, drive-thrus were easy to find. Showers were extra $$ - and as I stated, I didn't check them out, but based on the rest of the site, I woud guess they are pretty clean. There were (according to the map) 3 playgrounds, a pool, and a fishing pond. Most of the people there were .... seasoned campers .... although, school in many areas is not out yet, so I could be wrong on that.... :) Easy to get to - NO TRAIN TRACKS nearby....and a hill with a much slighter grade to depart by...I'd definately like to give it another stay...but I would want to arrive before dark (DUH!!)
So, today. Lots of construction, lots of hills, 2 overtired boys who have already been couped up for a day and want NOTHING more than to play in the pool.....so naturally, they sat quietly in the back seat while we drove, and drove, and drove......and a baby who JUST learned to crawl, back in a carseat for 2 days straight. Yeah. It was a fun loooooooong drive - we got here - the South Bend East KOA, just about 7:30 p.m. They rode their bikes, and after a LATE dinner went to the pool. Matt gave the water temp as a good solid "needs a good 1200-1400 yard warmup" before it would be close to comfy (and by then my toes would be numb) so we'll say 70-71 degrees..... Pool was good - got the kids in jammies, did stories, prayers, Matt went to the store (bread, milk, cereal) and then the shower. I feel better than I have in 2 days. WAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY better.
CAMPSITE REVIEW - KOA, SOUTH BEND EAST, IN
Good news - we knew we were back at a campsite. Yep. Right by a train track, although, I must say, they are much quieter when you are in travel trailer than they were in a pop-up. Part of that, of course, is that we are further away. AND closer to the bathhouses - a nice plus. I like this campground - lots of trees, big sites, the neighbors we have anyway have been friendly - hope yours are too. Pool is nice, and close to our site - but not heated, so early in the season will be a bit chilly - esp. in the evenings and early mornings. Bathrooms - VERY NICE. Did I mention they are VERY NICE. Women's bathroom is large with plenty of floospace, sinks and mirrors (I think 8). Showers are in individual rooms, so are available to male/female alike. They are roomy with lots of hooks, a stool, nice floors, good water pressure, and hot water. Definately would come back.....the area - well, I don't know what is here really but, a nice place to overnight for sure, and would be a relaxing weekend....grocery store is close by too.
Alrighty - tomorrow is Chicago. Will try to post some pictures in the next day or so...but for now, it is apparently AGAIN approaching 11, and I need to sleep.
GOOD NIGHT.......
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
it begins
So. We're packed - and ready to go. And when I say packed - I mean PACKED. The movers are in the house and we have every available square inch of the camper Full.
We are traveling in a ZII Zeppelin by Keystone - it is 29 feet long with a slide out that holds the dinette and couch, a queen bed up front, and a full and single bunk set in the back. The baby will sleep in a pack'n play by the dinnett - she's taking her first nap there now. I have monitor duty - the movers packed hers, so I'm here until I'm sure she is sound asleep, and then not venturing far ----ahhhhhhh a pleasant break!!! I took out the bar stools (which will put back for more routine trips) in favor of a shoe rack. A wise move.
It is amazing how much stuff we have in here.
We depart Yorktown on June 10, we are set to arrive Rainier, Oregon (about an hour east of Astoria) on July 7 (I think) - it might be the 8th...... Matt's change of command is July 12 - my job is to find a place to live before the boys start school on September 4. We are taking our time. We found a great U.S. map that we have on the wall and stickers to put on at every stop. The boys don't think that it looks far to Oregon at all - that will change!!!!
Well, that's it I guess until we leave!
Have a great week!
We are traveling in a ZII Zeppelin by Keystone - it is 29 feet long with a slide out that holds the dinette and couch, a queen bed up front, and a full and single bunk set in the back. The baby will sleep in a pack'n play by the dinnett - she's taking her first nap there now. I have monitor duty - the movers packed hers, so I'm here until I'm sure she is sound asleep, and then not venturing far ----ahhhhhhh a pleasant break!!! I took out the bar stools (which will put back for more routine trips) in favor of a shoe rack. A wise move.
It is amazing how much stuff we have in here.
We depart Yorktown on June 10, we are set to arrive Rainier, Oregon (about an hour east of Astoria) on July 7 (I think) - it might be the 8th...... Matt's change of command is July 12 - my job is to find a place to live before the boys start school on September 4. We are taking our time. We found a great U.S. map that we have on the wall and stickers to put on at every stop. The boys don't think that it looks far to Oregon at all - that will change!!!!
Well, that's it I guess until we leave!
Have a great week!
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