And then I admit something I NEVER thought I would...

I love camping

There I said it.  It's out in the open now. 

I've never liked the thought of camping.  I think it's been like ten years since I have been, and even then  I despised not showering, wearing dirty clothes, and stinking of smoke...yeah, not my idea of fun.

Scott has always wanted me to go, but my response is usually something like "yeah, right babe.  That's never going happen."  

Well, this weekend, Scotty ran into some friends that were getting ready to head out on a camping trip.  One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I was dragging my feet through Walmart shopping for things like a tent and sleeping bags.  I was having a good attitude because I knew scott really wanted to go, and if nothing else, at least we would be with friends, and there would be good food to go around!  I also tried to forget the fact that I was two weeks away from having a baby (less than that now, wahoo!!)

When we pulled up to the camp site in the Olympic mountains, I couldn't believe the beauty around us...breathtaking!  This was the view out side of our tent...

 It's quite literally a rainforest.  Amazing.

Jack and Bianca didn't waste anytime playing in the dirt, picking up sticks, and climbing anything they could.  I knew immediately that they would be in heaven the WHOLE time we were there.  They were both filthy within five minutes, and I just let them stay that way.  In fact, Jack slept in his filthy clothes...eh, whatev.

We were there for some perfect weather.  The day before had been cold and rainy, but we certainly lucked out.  The mornings began cold, and so we would peel off the layers as the day went on.  Here is Jack in the morning, totally bundled...

Once the sun came out, and we got out of the thick tree cover, it really warmed up. 

And off came the layers...

Bianca didn't waste any time getting in the water.

Or taking her shirt off.

Jack however, went straight for the skibbies.

And I let him.

Because every little boy should climb a dock in their superhero underwear from time to time.

This handsome guy didn't feel the need to swim in his undies.  He just stood around looking like a hunk...

We made to sure to take a family picture...well, the best kind you can get with two little kiddos and lots of things WAY more fun to be doing.

I wore a green shirt so you could all tell that I do indeed look like I have a watermelon for a belly :)  Those cashiers weren't too far off!

Later, we went for a short mile hike, but I forgot my camera...bummer too because it was beautiful!

The rest of the group decided to take a longer hike to some waterfalls, but I opted out because I can do that when I am 20 months pregnant Bianca was WAY too tired.  Ali took some great pics of Jack and scotty for me.

Scott said Jack was in heaven.

I don't blame the kid.

My two rugged men...

And then of course there was the food.  aaah, the food.

Ali prepped some FABULOUS desserts for us.

Bananas split open and filled with milk and white chocolate chips, and mini marshmellows, then foiled up, cooked and served with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

Next she hollowed out some strawberries, filled with them with chocolate chips and little carmel balls, then wrapped them in foil and warmed over the fire...served with whipped cream of course.

Can you tell I enjoyed it WAY too much?!?

So that about sums it up...great weather, great company, great food, and breathtaking beauty.

I'm sold.

I will go camping anytime.

Oh, and perhaps one of my favorite things...after playing and hiking all day...the little kiddos look like this by about 7 PM.

 

Perfect.

37 weeks...

Here is the moment you have all been waiting for...

When I say I am indeed huge, I'm not joking around.

Not even a little.

I have had two comments from different male checkers at the grocery store that have said "did you want me to ring you up for that watermelon you have there?"  harhar you clever geniuses. 

Sadly, I feel fabulous. Oh, You'll notice that I'm standing in our house!! Wahoo!! It finally happened this weekend...scott and I made the move, and at this point are completely unpacked.  I've been busy getting to work on some furniture refinishing.  I am sure my neighbors get a kick out of a gal as pregnant as me outside on the driveway re-upholstering headboards and painting tables (with proper ventilation to protect Baby Delaney of course).  I will do a post later this week on some of my great garage sale makeovers...as soon as it's all finished and put together!

As I just mentioned,  I really do feel fabulous.  I have your typical aches and pains, and some crazy braxton-hicks at night, but nothing that stops me from the daily grind.  I have a list of too many projects that I need to get done before this little sweetie gets here in 20 days.

I do have one complaint though.

It's my feet...ankles...kankles.

I have NEVER had swelling like this... 

Goodness, let me see if I can get a prettier picture for you.

Oh, what's that you say...there won't BE a prettier picture?!? Ok.

At least I have a beautiful pedicure, and a superb hubby that gives me footrubs.

I miss my ankles.

**Sigh**

A waiting game...

We are still not in the "big house" {that's what Jack calls it...but I suppose anything seems big after a 700 sq foot apartment!}.  It was supposed to the 27th of July, then the 10th of August, and now it's "tomorrow", and has been for about 5 "tomorrow"s in a row.   

Needless to say, I am getting antsy.

Like the kind of antsy that people are afraid of...I'm ornery and fiesty. 

I think it's a combination of the home drama, and me being 20 months pregnant.  Ok, I'm not ACTUALLY 20 months pregnant, just feeling that way.  And it's apparently evident just how pregnant I am by the comments I keep getting..."Oh, you poor thing, you still have a MONTH left?!?" or "Wow, you are huge!" and one of my faves, "Man, are you gonna pop any day now?"  Even my doctor {whose opinion I didn't even ask for} said to me at my appointment yesterday "you just look so big because you are a small person"...Oh really Doc? do you think that's what it is?  I just figured I was going to be giving birth to a toddler.  Thanks for clarifying that for me though.

See, can you tell I'm fiesty? I wasn't joking around.

All that really needs to be said to a pregnant woman with swollen ankles and sausage-like-fingers  is "You look fabulous!" 

End of story.

Rant completed...

Though we are antsy to get into the house, we have been enjoying our time living with the in-laws.  I am certainly not complaining about the Central AC that's currently blasting {something pretty uncommon for Washington because it's only needed a few weeks a year.  Lucky for us, it happens to be those weeks}, or the giant back yard that Jack has been playing in for literally 10 hours a day.  There is also a park in the neighborhood that we like to walk to atleast once a day.

Gramma Susie has about 20 bikes to choose from, and Bianca ALWAYS chooses the one without a seat. 

She's fearless.

Jack has finally mastered pedaling...once he got it down, he instantly became the coolest kid on the block.

Cool enough to wear his collar up, and sport a look that says "Just try and mess with me.  I dare you."

 And when we finally get to the park, the animal in Jack breaks loose and he thinks he can do anything...

Which he kind of can, that monkey has some crazy balance.

When he reaches the top he always says "Look at me mom, Ina big handsome boy!"

Yes, yes you sure are sweetie.

I'm hoping the next post will be an exciting one about finally being in the house...cross your fingers!!

Oh, and I will be posting a picture of "the belly" soon...so you can all be really excited for that :)