outdoor weekend

We had such a great weekend.  The weather took a big turn towards fall and so we decided to get out and enjoy it.  

On Friday it rained all day long.  Not a storm but just that lazy all day light rain with no thunder or lightening.  You know, the perfect napping weather.  When we all woke up from those wonderful naps we decided to take a little walk in the rain.  I got this adorable rain coat with matching rain boots from Zu.lily a few months ago.  You've probably seen the rain boots in a few of my pictures because B loves to wear them in the house.  I told her we could finally wear them outside because it was actually raining.  She got so excited.  Then I asked her if I could take her picture.  This is the pose I got...

She's pretty cute if you ask me!  Anyway, we walked around the neighborhood picking up acorns and stomping in puddles.  She thought it was super fun but her favorite part was swinging in the rain, as you can tell from the picture.  It took me a loooong time to get her to come inside.

When Blakely went to bed Friday night Lonnie and I started talking about going camping.  We talked about weekends he was off and tried to plan.  Well finally we said lets just go tomorrow!  So we did!  

It was a totally a last minute decision.  When B woke up the Saturday morning I packed up all the things we would need for an overnight stay.  We gave her an early nap and then left to find the perfect spot to camp.  

We live on a lake but there are a few other lakes near us.  Lake Oua.chita is very close to us (like a 15 minute drive).  It is much bigger than the lake that we live on and no homes are allowed to be built near this lake.  Because of this, it is an extremely clean lake and just a gorgeous piece of nature.  There are many islands and Lonnie and I have camped on an island with our boat before.  We've never taken B camping because we weren't sure how she would do.  I mean a baby/toddler sleeping in a tent?  Sounded like a recipe for disaster to me.  

But Saturday was the most beautiful day.  Sunny and 75.  We wanted to get out there and have wide open spaces for her to run around and just enjoy being outside.  So we did and it could not have been a better idea.  I was proud of Lonnie and I for doing something so last minute.  Since having Blakely we have become such planners.  Everything is always completely planned out and we never just do something on a whim.  But this?  This was definitely on a whim.  

On our drive into the campsite Blakely spotted a playground so we stopped there so she could play for a little while.  

Then we picked out a PERFECT spot, unloaded the car and set up our tent.  

We walked around the lake and just let her explore her surroundings.  We picked up rocks and threw them in the water.  She liked it best when Lonnie picked her up (he isn't supposed to but try telling him that) so she could throw it from up high and make a bigger splash.  She also like "washing" her hands in the water.  Ignore the plumber's crack in the picture.  These pants are from last year and they still fall off with panties on...

Then we gathered a bunch of sticks and helped daddy build a fire.  I think this was her favorite part!

Once the fire was going we roasted hot dogs and then marshmallows.

By the time it was dark our girl was super sleepy.  I took her in the tent and laid down with her (and Min.nie, of course) until she fell asleep.  It took all of 10 minutes.  Then Lonnie and I stayed up and chatted by the fire for a few hours.  

Y'all.  It was so nice.  Just being outside all day with my loves enjoying nature.  I could not have asked for a better weekend!  And because I just can't help myself I have to post this picture.  You know you're the mommy of a toddler when.....

HAPPY MONDAY!

Things

I am full of randomness on Wednesdays

• Lonnie gets to avoid surgery.  For now.  His weakness has gotten better but it isn't normal yet.  The doctor said it could take 4-6 weeks to go back to normal.  We will see. He can't play softball this year and he can't run anymore.  He is not happy about any of that.  Thank you all very much for the well wishes for him.  He appreciates my bloggy friends :)
• Speaking of softball, we had our first 2 games last night and I got my first softball injury.  A nasty scrape on my elbow from doing a beautiful head first slide into third for a triple. No.  That is a lie.  It was from doing a major face plant in the outfield because the ball was stroked over my head and APPARENTLY my upper body moves faster than my lower body.  Hence, the face plant.  Oh and that was the FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME. I told my teammates that it was okay to laugh at me.  I would laugh at them.  Let's hashtag this one out, shall we?
• #iamnot17anymore
• #getwiththeprogramlegs
• #icannotmovethismorning
• #ididawesometherestofthegame
• #wellmaybenotawesome
• #itwasstillsofun
• but most importantly #iamnot17anymore  Let's move on.
• Is it cooling off where you are?  (not you Fiona ;) )  I'd say it is trying to cool off a little here.  Low 90's and upper 80's on sunny days.  You can smell fall in the air though and I am pumped.  We had a gloriously mild summer (which I am sure means a hellish winter) and I do feel like we took full advantage of it.  Now I am ready to take advantage of the fall weather.  Already on the search for a pumpkin patch.  
• You know what it is time for right?  PUMPKIN PAINTING!  Sarah and I have already been discussing our color schemes for our pumpkins this year.  I am leaning towards traditional Halloween colors but am always looking for ideas.  I am really wanting to do lots of purple.  Maybe shades of purple with some gold.  Or purple and black and white.  I'm not sure yet.  Do you paint pumpkins?  If not, you should...it's easy!  
• I am about to go on a pinning spree.  I am looking for some great (and preferably clean) fall recipes.  Doesn't the change of weather make you want to change your meal plans?  Not that I am a great meal planner but I do try.  I am ready for soups and crockpot meals and pumpkin anything!  Feel free to share if you have any ideas.  
• We have got to get some family pictures done.  The most recent one we have is from our beach trip in May and it is of our backs looking out on the ocean.  This is not acceptable.  I think I'll call and schedule today!  
• And because it doesn't seem right to have a post with no pictures I will leave you with this one from Saturday during the Razorback game.  

The Weekend

We took a little weekend getaway this past weekend.  I picked Lonnie up from work on Friday and we drove about 4 hours away to a place called Big Ce.dar L.odge.  We have been before but not  since Blakely was born.  It is really a great place, especially in the fall.  The trees were gorgeous.

We got there late Friday night.  B did great in the car.  She slept the last half of the drive and then played for about 30 minutes when we got there.  Then I put her down and she went straight to sleep.  Lonnie had a meeting the next day so it was just me and Blakely until late afternoon.  We ordered breakfast from room service and at it together in the bed.  After her morning nap I put her in the stroller and we went walking.  She loved it and the weather was perfect.  I snapped a few pictures with my phone because the card in my good camera is messed up or something.  

I took her back to the room for lunch.  More room service :)

After her afternoon nap we played in the big rocking chairs on the balcony.  

Then we took another little walk when Lonnie got out of the meeting. 

That night we all three went to dinner with some of the people from Lonnie's meeting.  B was the only child with 10 other adults.  I was a little nervous how she would do but she actually did well.  We had to take her outside a couple of times just so she could run around.  She stayed up an hour past bedtime so she was close to melting down but we left just before that could happen.  

On Sunday we headed back home.  The drive through the Ozark Mountains was absolutely gorgeous.  Colorful trees, green pastures, and blue skies with bright sunshine!  It was the perfect time of year to drive through there.  We stopped in Little Rock to drop Lonnie off at the airport because he has to go to Chicago for a few days.  B and I headed home after that.  She was super excited to get home to all of her birthday toys!

So Blakely and I are going to have a few days of just Mommy/daughter time since Daddy is out of town.  Today we went to the gym and then went on a lunch date.  

When we got home I took her outside to play in the yard.  She loved tearing up as many leaves as she could!  

Tomorrow I think we will go to the gym and then maybe the library.  On Wednesday she has her one year pictures.  I still haven't figured out what she is going to wear...probably should get on that!

Hope everyone had a great weekend.  And thank you for all of the sweet comments on her birthday party post!