Birthday Camping

Went camping at Soapstone the weekend of my birthday, and it was perfect!! Blazing hot during the day, and freezing during night. I honestly love the contrast in temperatures. I like waking up in the morning under a nice oversized quilt, walking outside being able to see my breath and drinking a nice warm cup of coffee by the fire. And then having to cool off with an ice cold beverage (diet coke being my first choice) in the hot afternoon.

Clay loves mornings...but only because he's a muffin monster!!

Some days I think Cody would like to run away from home and just be free. I know I say it alot, but he does not like to be hindered or held back from anything. He likes doing everything by himself or on his own. Good thing he can't unlock the front door yet, or the back door for that matter, he'd be gone in a heartbeat! Anytime I have to help him put his shoes/clothes on, or cut his food into smaller bites, etc. it becomes a screaming match because he doesn't want me to help him. The second I let him go, he's happy and quiet. So when we go camping, Cody is on cloud 9. He likes to wander, by himself. Of course I don't let him, but I stay far enough back so that he feels like he's alone and being a big boy. That, and Molly thinks she's his mother, so she follows him everywhere.

He thinks he's one of the big kids, off exploring.

He likes to play in the dirt,

and LOVES riding his little four wheeler.

(trying to get it unstuck)

He's even been practicing his "Heel Clicker" trick. :)

Actually, Cody loves anything with a motor; the lawn mower, the snow blower, weed wacker-if it runs, Cody LOVES IT. He really liked the Nebeker-Mortensons four wheeler and spent a good portion of his time just sitting on it, waiting for someone to take him on a ride.

When he wasn't on the small four wheeler OR the big one, you could find him riding the motorcycle with Chris...

...or trying to bum a ride from Clay on his motorcycle.

Poor kid, all he wanted to do was ride!

Clay was able to get some riding in on his dirt bike. He loves to put on all the gear and just go full throttle.

I want so badly to take the training wheels off. Most times I feel like they keep him from progressing more than they help him. It's frustrating for me, but I'm sure Clay doesn't mind. After all when he bottoms out, I'm the one that has to go running over to him to give him a little push.
I'm hoping by next summer we'll have the training wheels off.

Apart from all the riding we did, we also hunted for Salamanders and Frogs. I remember doing it when I was little and I think it's so fun to get to see Clay do it. (Cody was taking a nap, otherwise I'm sure he would have loved it also.)

Clay showing off his frogs.

Holding a salamander.

Chris holding a frog on his finger. They were just babies.

Being out in the middle of nowhere we took the opportunity to take the boys shooting for the first time.In our haste to get out of town we forgot the ammo! Thank you Kelly (Cleveland) for letting us borrow some bullets. The view was incredible.

Chris giving Clay a full lesson on gun safety and precaution.

Showing Clay how to aim.

He did a pretty good job for his first time. Didn't get any bulls-eyes, but he did hit the target.

Chris was so proud. He was just excited to let Clay shoot his very first gun. The gun that Chris's Uncle Don gave him when he was about Clayton's age.

Cody however wasn't strong enough to pull the trigger. I know he didn't really understand what was going on, but it did make for some pretty cute pictures and some great father/son bonding time.

Then it was my turn. I'm an okay shot. Better with my 12 gauge though-you can't miss with those. :)

Then the big boys turn.

Dirty faces

We got back from shooting and found that our camp had been invaded by sheep. Across the pond, cows moved in on us too!

The deer weren't afraid of us either. They got so close to our camp.

By the end of the trip, Chris finally gave in and let Cody try Clay's motorcycle. He was in heaven and cried when we took him off.

We had some good food....

Great friends...

....Awesome Birthday!!

p.s. This is what Chris let me get for my birthday...mom and dad pitched in too. It's waterproof (supposedly up to 10 feet) so I'm excited to try it out. Thank you everyone!!