Camping in September

We spent a weekend Camping at Illinois Beach State Park along with other friends from Church.

After months of planning we enjoyed nature, and "roughing it"... although I'm not sure exactly how much actual "roughing it we did. The bathrooms were right near our camp site, and the water was right next to our site.

We arrived Friday night and put up our tent in the dark. The only glitch that night was almost loosing Morgan's doggy! YIKES! After searching for a while we finally found it in one of our bins. Morgan had put it in there while we were getting our equipment out.

Saturday, after enjoying breakfast, (it's hard to warm pop tarts over a fire on a stick like a marshmallow!) we went to the beach. There was a gorgeous view.

Morgan spent the time on the beach playing with her friends Zachary and Wyatt in the sand. I think if they hadn't gotten hungry they would have stayed there all day.

Ben Spent the time playing Volley Ball with our friends. I think he's still wishing they could have had a rematch! always sad when the Wind determines the game.

Then came lunch! Followed by Nap time and Games!

One of our friends challenged these trees and climbed up! Ben tried it but came down before I could get the camera out. It would look more impressive if you could see the ground and just how far up he climbed!

Morgan loved the tent! She did really well staying in her sleeping bag and actually sleeping! She only woke up once in the middle of the night. But Ben and I could have lived with her sleeping in instead of waking up with the sun.

Morgan also loved, playing in the tent with daddy! they spent lots of time hiding in there and playing silly games. She even convinced some of our friends to play her hiding games with her.

Saturday evening we spent time around the fire, singing songs and generally just trying to stay warm! There's really nothing more fun than burning things when you're camping.

Sunday I was lazy and didn't take any pictures but after Morgan woke us up at literally the crack of dawn, we enjoyed some yummy camp made donut holes. Our friend Elliot made them and yum, Yum! I think we definitely over eat!

After breakfast we spent some time worshiping.

Then we packed up and went home, excited to actually sleep in a bed and not on the ground.

Note: Yes Stephanie Did Go!! even though there aren't any pictures. (someone had to take them...) Honestly camping while pregnant... fun, just not the sleeping on the ground part! I'm still sad our air mattress didn't hold up!

Kohl's Children's Museum trip with daddy

Stephanie had an all day conference and left Morgan with daddy all day! While She enjoyed the day off, Ben treated Morgan to a fun trip to the Kohl's Children's Museum. Morgan had a Blast running around and enjoying all the hands on activities that they offer there. It was the topic of conversation for the whole next week. Below are some fun pictures.

1/2 Marathon

Ben ran in the Chicago 1/2 Marathon on Sunday 9/12/10! He ran 13.1 miles in about 2 hrs and 20 minutes or so! He started training in the spring and kept it up and accomplished his goal: to finish!

Here's Ben before the race: note the happy/ tired/ nervous face.

Here's Ben after the race! I think he's a little tired.

Morgan holding Ben's Metal (she didn't want to give it back)

Happy family! We're so proud of Ben!

Ben ran with one of the girls from our small group and her dad. It originally started out as something several people from our small group were thinking about. (Steph was NOT one of them) but two stepped it up and made it a reality!! Good job you two! :) maybe next year more people will join in... (yeah Steph's still out! )

Cottage fun.

We spent Labor day weekend with Mimi and Poppop Crane at their Cottage!

Morgan spent lots of time in the lake. She really loves the water!

She tryed to play catch with Uncle David but neither of them could pay attention long enough. Then they thought it would be more fun to then start dumping water on Poppop's head.

And jump on him!

She played so hard she was wiped out!

She did have trouble sleeping the first night which we later figured out was due to a cricket in the room. Silly bug!

Morgan learned how to play Candy Land and enjoyed finding the colors and moving her "little guy". Though she doesn't quite understand the concept of winning yet. She would rather put her piece on pretty colors than try to get to the end. That's a 2yr old for you.

Morgan discovered Peanuts in the shell! She would have eated the whole bag all by her self had we let her! and she loved to sing "shake your peanut" (a Mickey song).

We had lots of camp fires! the first night it was so windy and the smoke would not stop! Morgan and Daddy hid behind a blanket just to get away from the smoke.

Even after the smoke, Morgan helped Poppop and Daddy collect fire wood for the camp fires, the next day.

And we all enjoyed roasting hot dogs and Marshmallows

Daniel, Hannah, Aunt Bethany, and Uncle Steve Joined us, for out last night there.

Ben took on a challenge to swim across the lake! And He made it! :)

We had a lot of fun! Can't wait till the next trip out to the cottage! Though I think it just might be getting a little on the cold side for enjoying the water.

The end of Summer

We Ended our summer with a fun trip to St Louis to visit Ben's Aunt Linda and Uncle Steve.

Morgan Loved meeting Aunt Linda's horse,

and feeding the cows.

We also got to go on a fun trip to the Butterfly house! We took way too many pictures to choose from. Morgan really enjoyed looking around at all the butterflies, and the bug exhibit as well.

She even enjoyed being surrounded by roaches........yuck! here's a picture of her and Ben saying "bleh"

Morgan's First Ice cream cone! she's had ice cream before but not like this!

Morgan made us all sing happy birthday to her before she would eat it. After which she really enjoyed it, and her silly mom let her have chocolate. It went everywhere!

Our last summer blast we spent at Evanston's Beach!

Some friends of ours let us use their beach passes to enjoy a fun family day. Morgan had a lot of fun playing in the sand and jumping in the water. Ben tried to teach Morgan how to play frisbee.

And Steph just enjoyed some relaxing time.

That concluded our summer! Bring on FALL!