Raising Cubs in a Campground

...don't go well with rising food prices. At the beginning of the month when I swore off a diet consisting almost entirely of processed foods I didn't realize the scope of the challenge I was taking on. I knew it would be hard to give up the junk food, but what I didn't realize was how difficult it would be to find a variety of healthy alternatives that we could fill our tummies without emptying our bank account. Over the past three weeks I've picked up a few things that I thought I'd share with anyone else out there who's looking for healthy and affordable options. It's nothing fancy, but what do expect for a $50 a week food budget? Please keep in mind some items carry over from other weeks shopping trips. The goal is to coordinate meals that will use every last mushroom, green pepper, and leaf of lettuce before they go bad in my crisper drawer AND to make things my picky children husband will eat. Spaghetti with whole wheat pasta.- I buy one of the ...

We were looking for a change of scenery on Sunday so we decided to walk up to the baseball field. Sam has been enjoying batting practice for a while now so we thought we'd acquaint him with a few more of the rules of the game. Brian made bases out of the gloves and explained that after he hit the ball he should run to each base. Wwwwhaaack!!!! We all stood and watched as the ball sailed over Brian's head. "RUN SAM!", we yelled... and he did...all the way to first base, holding on tight to the bat the whole way. Next lesson: Drop the bat before you run. Then came the moment I will never forget as long as I live. It was the bat sailing through the air instead of the ball. He may hit the ball like his Daddy, but he throws the bat like his Mommy. (I broke the catchers nose once in a Jr. High softball league.) I'm so glad I caught that first throw on "film" because he's never did it again. From then on he was running like a champ from base to ba...

6 - the number of months it took us to kill 3 goldfish 2 - the number of well behaved children living in this house 10 - the number of times a day I revel in that fact 1 - the number of freckles on Julia's face (near her hairline) 3 - the number of freckles on Sam's face (near his nose, hairline, and jawline) 10,000 - the number of freckles on my body 1 - the number of weddings I've booked for this year so far 2 - the number of books I'm in the middle of reading 20 - the number of books my kids read in a day 40- the number of minutes Sam sat on the couch this morning listening to a book on CD 2 - the number of loaves of bread the kids and I made last week 22 - the number of days until we are hosting a retirement party for Brian's mom at our house - hence... 2 - the number of hours we spent cleaning out the garage on Saturday 3 - the number of hours we spent at our beach on Friday 8:00 the numbers on the clock lately when I get up in the morning 60 - the number of m...

6 - the number of months it took us to kill 3 goldfish 2 - the number of well behaved children living in this house 10 - the number of times a day I revel in that fact 1 - the number of freckles on Julia's face (near her hairline) 3 - the number of freckles on Sam's face (near his nose, hairline, and jawline) 10,000 - the number of freckles on my body 1 - the number of weddings I've booked for this year so far 2 - the number of books I'm in the middle of reading 20 - the number of books my kids read in a day 40- the number of minutes Sam sat on the couch this morning listening to a book on CD 2 - the number of loaves of bread the kids and I made last week 22 - the number of days until we are hosting a retirement party for Brian's mom at our house - hence... 2 - the number of hours we spent cleaning out the garage on Saturday 3 - the number of hours we spent at our beach on Friday 8:00 the numbers on the clock lately when I get up in the morning 60 - the number of m...

Wanna see more ? (Click on the slide show icon to feel like you were down on the dock with us.)

Grandpa brought Sam a new fishing pole yesterday and the whole family went down to the lake to watch the kids fish with Grandpa. I can't wait to share the fun shots I got of the excitement.... eventually. For now we're headed to the library for a kids program and then to the beach. I couldn't think of a better way to welcome summer in. Don't worry, I'll be sick of the sun before you know it and be back in the house to post more pictures. Happy Summer Everyone!

It was about time I stretched my photography muscle again. It will be a year in September that I purchased my digital SLR and in a short amount of time I found a couple of settings that worked well for me and that's where I sat...in my comfort zone. I knew I could do better. I knew that I had the right equipment and somewhere buried inside of me I still had the knowledge that could take my work to the next level. I made a baby step in that direction this morning when I took these portraits of Julia. The timing couldn't be better because I am about to send out a huge email to my contacts to offer them a summer portrait session deal. Our lives are so hectic here at the park that I don't have the time to put into processing orders. Instead for any session booked after today, I am offering all clients the opportunity to purchase the copyright to all the proofs from their portrait session for a one time fee of $100. That comes out to about $1 an image. It's a win-win...

I waited 10 years to lounge in this hammock. Looks like I'll have to wait a little longer.

On first glance life here is relaxing and simple. A hammock I purchased ten years ago in Costa Rica is right at home in our front yard, we've enjoyed more family meals on our porch than inside the house, the kids spend hours outside driving their cozy coupes around the driveway. We can even walk to campfire programs without leaving home. In case you are turning green with envy or are about to click over to a different blog because you can't stand my bragging let me assure you that there is more to the story. MUCH more. Take this picture for instance: Sure, the kids have a big driveway to play in, but it also gets used by huge wedding receptions to park the band's full size semi. The Gator behind Julia is also parked in the driveway because (especially on the weekends) we are constantly running out to the campground. Notice the big black garbage bag in the back of the gator? A camper decided it was too much work to drop the bag off at the dumpster on her way out so I go...

My favorite son. My pride and joy. This past month has been my most favorite as a mom. Both kids have been on their best behavior and Sam, especially, makes my jaw drop every day with his good listening, sharp whit, and love for his sister. Happy 44 month birthday baby boy.

It's becoming increasingly difficult to buy a loaf of bread for under $3 especially if I want to get good quality whole grain bread. The kids and I went to the grocery store to purchase a few items to have a picnic at a local park. Here's what I bought: 1 apple 1 nectarine 1 loaf of bread 1/5 of a watermelon 10 ounces of deli meat small container of mashed potatoes buns for our hamburgers tonight a bunch of bananas (the really ripe ones so I could get them for 39 cents a pound) total cost: $16 Darn this healthy eating business. McDonald's would have cost me $6. Since we go through a lot of bread now that we don't eat crackers, chips, Goldfish etc... I have decided that perhaps I should take a stab at making my own. I've done it before when I was 18 and living in a tent in the Montana Wilderness. If I could do it under those conditions why shouldn't I be able to make some yummy, nutritious homemade bread in my modern kitchen? I might even be able to conv...

I learned a few things at my baby sister's high school graduation last Friday night: 1. It takes 30 minutes of Pomp and Circumstance for 850 graduations to enter the auditorium. 2. High school grads are looking younger and younger than ever before. 3.Fashion goes out the window if you forget a spare outfit for your daughter who had a blowout 4. Sam is capable of sitting quietly for 2 1/2 hours if he has a new toy 5. It takes 45 minutes to give 850 graduates their diplomas 6. Kara graduated with at least ten people who's last name is Anderson 7. There's always someone who trips and falls on stage 8.Never say "I'll meet you over there" when that place turns out to be a staging area for 850 grads 9. I've never been prouder of my sister.

Not for the same reason I changed my photography business name, but because having the number 4 plastered everywhere reminds me that I'm one measly cent away from paying 4 dollars at the gas pump. I remember when we hit three dollars a gallon that we didn't just hop in the car and go whenever or wherever we pleased. Now that it costs us a minimum of $8 to go anywhere other than our tiny town, I've had to cram as many errands into each trip. Yesterday when I picked up my milk order I also made a quick stop at a park where Sam's playgroup was gathering, an even quicker stop at the library to return books, to Wendy's to get a salad, and then it was off to another park to meet Mck Mama, her sister, and her college friend. I remember the second summer Brian and I were married that the gas price didn't budge for three whole months. We paid $1.39 a gallon time and time again. Now $1.39 will barely get me home from the gas station. I don't know what it costs ...

Look at how comfortable he is swimming on his back. This is a skill they usually master in the next level. If only we could get past the going under water part... Totally submerged! Wahoo!!!! Less than two weeks ago Sam would NEVER have agreed to put his face in the water like he does now. My bubble was burst a little when we went to the community center after lessons so Julia could swim too and he reverted back to his old ways. It was a good reminder that I'll have take the same baby steps that her teacher did. Fingers crossed that Julia doesn't develop the same fear Sam had.

It keeps getting better and better especially when he ends a lesson by saying, "Swimming lesson are fun Mom!"

I think the pictures speak for themselves. That's my boy!