Craig : : Britta : : Eliza : : Aletta: September 2011

Beaver Mountain

We decided to head up Beaver Mountain for a weekend of camping. It was just us. It was just perfect.

Beaver Mountain has got to be the most beautiful place to camp. The drive up there almost puts me over the edge (literally). But by the time we are at the top it is breath taking and totally worth it.

Ps obviously I was playing with my Hipstamatic App the entire time.

Can you see the deer in that picture? It's actually a funny story.

Craig had his scope out pointed away from camp on a mountain clear to the North. He was spotting for deer and elk. Craig had his eyes glued to the scope while I cooked dinner. Suddenly Eliza says "ELK!" and squats down and points to the trees in our camp. We look over and there is a deer right in front of our noses. Craig was so proud... to say the least. "She's gonna be a hunter babe!".

I'm sure she is.

Side note: Did you know there are bears on Beaver Mountain? I'm sure this is obvious to most people. But for us people who didn't grow up doing ANYTHING out-doorsy (My family) This is news. Bears are in Alaska, and Yellowstone. NOT where I go camping (so I thought). 2 summers ago I was 7.5 months pregnant. Camping on Beaver Mountain with Craigs entire family. IN A TENT. Peeing OUTSIDE every 2 hours through the night. Freezing my HUGE hiney off. (Did I mention it snowed? And the zipper to our tent froze shut and I almost peed on Craig? This was the "We are never going camping again unless we have a trailer" trip.) I distinctly remember my wonderful Mother-in-Law saying "Make sure you don't have any food in your tent. Not even a piece of candy. Just leave it in your car or the motorhome." Yes- I didn't want skunks coming into my tent during the night either! This trip to Beaver my husband actually told me about the bears. The ones the ranger had come and warned us about (unbeknown-st to me) two years ago when we were up there with his family. They were right in not telling me while we were up there. We would have left.
This time I knew about the bears. And I was paranoid. And I'm pretty sure that is what managed to get into our cooler on the last night.

At least we have a trailer now!

My 2 Year Old

Stats:

22.9 Pounds (6%)

33.8 Inches (48%)

19 inch head circumference (85%)

Living with a 2 year old is the greatest thing. She is hilarious. She is so smart. She is AMAZING! Every morning I hear: "Mom! Dad! I wake up! I wake up Mom!". We eat breakfast together. We play dress up. We have tea parties. We tell stories. We watch Barney. We eat Lunch together. Sometimes we even nap together. I am so lucky.

Her favorite show is Barney (bleh).

Her favorite movie is Snow White.

She loves playing dress up.

She likes taking showers lately.

She does everything "by myself".
Every time I lay down on my bed or the couch she says "You head hurts mom?" and gets me a blanky and pillow.
"Cute pillow Mom" (When I put a new case on my pillow)
"Ready guys?" (Before she does...anything)
She counts to 12.
She does the stairs- and pretty much everything, by herself.
Repeats everything- over and over and over again.
"We're Bef Frens" (Best friends... melts me.)
"Should I come with you? Ok."
"Can I have this?" (Before she takes anything. I promise she's an angel.)
She puts everything back where it goes. She pulls my shoes out and wears them, then puts them right back where they go before she gets another pair out. She does this with everything. (OCD)
Sways in the mirror and says "I'm just so cute".
"Did you hear dat?" (No what was it?) "A cricket!" (Really? What did it sound like?) "Umm... A fire truck.
"Are you hot guys?" (Fanning me with a book, her dress, a toy, anything) "Does that feel better?"
"Look at me" (Grabbing my chin and looking into my eyes) "You're so cute". That ones my favorite.
"Barney is so annoying". Apparently she really listens to everything I say even when it's not to her.
"I don't like that salsa. Maybe you should go get me a new one Mom."

I swear every day I could write a list this long- she is too dang fun.