First Camping Trip

We went on our inaugural camping trip with Madeline on Saturday August 11, 2012.  We attempted the first camping trip one week earlier, but it backfired due to lack of campsite reservations (and therefore turned into our first night in a hotel (with a pool!) with Madeline, which was lots of fun!)

We chose a car-camping spot near Mount Hood (Clackamas Lake Campground).  We ended up right across from the camp hosts (interesting people with two little dogs that Maddy loved, of course) at the campsite pictured below.  Nothing too fancy, but it had what we needed: a spot big enough for the gigantic 8 person, two room tent we borrowed from our friend Jon, a picnic table and fire pit.  The campground also happened to be an equestrian campground much to Madeline's joy.  She was ecstatic when the horses trotted by (and neighed!) and one rider let Maddy pet her horse's nose.  What joy!!  Wish I had gotten a photo of that.

Maddy liked the tent and had a great time looking out through the mesh windows, as you can see below.  We were happy that she liked being in the tent - hopefully this bodes well for future camping trips!

Timothy Lake was just under two miles away, so we went on a hike to investigate.  Maddy hadn't slept much yet that day and she zonked out in the carrier on the way there.  I was amazed she could sleep in this position, but when a kiddo's tired, they can fall asleep almost anywhere.  It was late afternoon when we arrived at Timothy Lake so we didn't stay long.  We were on the shady side of the lake and the water proved a bit chilly, but Maddy but I tested it out anyway!  It was Maddy's second time in a lake (the first being Lake Superior in July) and she and I had fun splashing around.

We had dinner when we got back (polish sausages, blueberries and chips), then cleaned up Madeline as well as we could (never realized how dirty campsites are for toddlers!) and put her to bed in the pack and play on her side of the tent.  That went pretty well!  Steve and I stayed up longer, roasting glazed doughnut holes over the fire (if you haven't done this, you should try it) and having a couple of beers.  It was nice and relaxing, and good to be camping again (for me, it had been two years!)

Nighttime didn't go quite as well as the day...it got colder than the weather websites predicted and Maddy woke up crying (probably due to being cold and in an unfamiliar place).  Considering we were car-camping at a packed campsite, we tried to calm her as quickly as possible.  We had a big air mattress so Maddy joined us, but woke up soon after -this time too warm.  Trying not to wake up all our neighbors, we turned on the car long enough to warm it up and Maddy and I spent the rest of the night snuggled up in the reclined front seat.  That worked and we slept until 7:30 a.m. 

We had breakfast the next morning, packed up and headed back to Portland.  All in all, it was a good trip with some learning experiences tied in.  I'm okay waiting a little while before we camp again...but it sure did feel good to be outdoors!

Our Campsite

Maddy laughing in the tent

Sleepy Madeline on our hike

Playing in Timothy Lake

Timothy Lake

Steve and Madeline on our hike

Beautiful hike on the Pacific Crest Trail

Look Who's Walking!

We now have a fully mobile little girl and she is very proud!  Madeline is walking, running, falling, getting up and starting all over again!  She started walking about 3 weeks ago and has been getting faster and bolder each day since then.  Although her balance isn't perfect yet, she's getting around without too many falls so we're thankful for that.  I'm glad she didn't start walking too early...it's definitely more of a challenge to keep up with her now!

Here are some shots of Madeline in motion, enjoy!

Here she goes!!

Fun new toy!

Gaining confidence

Friends...and new friends!

While in Minnesota it was so nice to catch up with friends - and meet some new family additions!  I visited Nicole and Tony and got to meet their new little girl, Nora.  A few days later, I was able to introduce Madeline to them, too!  We also met Barbi and Erik's precious daughter Grace.  I was so happy to meet my newest little friends!  Madeline and I had a nice breakfast in Duluth with Erin and Virginia.  I am so happy to have such wonderful friends in my life!  It was great to see you all and introduce you to our little Madeline Rose. Thank you for a great visit to Minnesota!

Nicole and Nora

Nora and Madeline

 

Erik, Barbi and Grace

Madeline meeting Grace

Virginia, Madeline and Erin

Summer visit to Minnesota

We had a wonderful time in Minnesota!  

I arrived early to attend my dear friend Anne's wedding.  I stayed with Mike and Jan for the first weekend and it was wonderful to see them. I spent the work week at Jeff, Sara, Jana and Colin's house and it was great to catch up with them and play with Jana and Colin.   I survived the time I had to spend away from Madeline and Steve (we Skyped nightly which helped so much!)  Steve and Maddy arrived (finally!) on Thursday and we stayed with Mike and Jan.  It was great to be reunited! Steve and I went to our friend Joe's wedding that Saturday, and Mike and Jan watched Madeline for the night.  Jan showed Madeline the birds outside their house (they have lots of bird feeders) and also let her play with her bird book that includes bird calls...thus began Madeline's fascination with birds.

Looking for birds

 

Jan reading Maddy's new favorite book

On Tuesday July 3, 2012, Jan, Shelly, Anton, Eli, Leah, Steve, Madeline and I all went to the Minnesota Zoo.  The weather was very hot, so we stuck to the indoor exhibits, which were plentiful.  Maddy loved the monkeys (she would say "Oooo Ahhhh Oooo Ahhhh" for monkey) and the coyotes and wolf (they look like dogs).  She also thought the fish were pretty neat (and she's really good at making a fish face).  Maddy also loved hanging out with her cousins at Ben and Shelly's, and she got to go in their kiddie pool!  Steve and I discovered how hard it is to put a one-piece swimming suit on a 14 month old...maybe baby two-piece swimsuits aren't such a bad idea!

Minnesota Zoo

Anton at the zoo

Leah, Eli and Madeline

Play time at Ben and Shelly's

On the morning of the Fourth of July, Steve, Maddy and I went to have lunch with Sr. Eunice.  Sr. Ronnie happened to stop by so she joined us!  I had never been to Carondolet Village so Sr. Eunice gave us a tour.  It was so nice to see her and Sr. Ronnie.  We spent the afternoon/evening of Fourth of July at Ben and Shelly's. We had lots of good food and play time outside in the Minnesota summer sun.  Maddy loved playing with her cousins.  Mike, Jan, Jeff, Sara, Jana and Colin were also there, so it was a big Faust family gathering!  Steve and I had forgotten about mosquitoes (and realized quickly how lucky we are that Portland is relatively mosquito-free) which came out in full force in the evening. But with a little deet, we were able to enjoy the fireworks that we could see from Ben and Shelly's driveway! 

Visiting Sr. Eunice and Sr. Ronnie stopped by, too

Happy Fourth of July!

Cousins!

The next morning we headed to Mom and Dad's in Knife River.  We relaxed for the day, then Jon, Amy, Benjamin and Gabi arrived.  More family fun!  On Friday we went to Bayfield for the day. The weather didn't cooperate for time on the boat (it poured) so we had lunch in town and spent time with Grama.

Enjoying Lake Superior

Benjamin, Maddy and Gabi

Grama with her "Great One"

 Saturday July 7 we had Madeline's Dedication Ceremony.  Mike, Jan, Ben, Shelly, Anton, Leah and Eli came up to the North Shore for the weekend, so they attended, as well as Mom and Dad, Jon, Amy, Benjamin, Gabi, Grama and Uncle John. Suzanne Wasilczuk (the Unitarian Minister that officiated our wedding) performed the Ceremony, which was beautiful.  Madeline looked like a little doll in her white ceremony dress.  We held the ceremony in my parent's yard with the lake in the background and the day was perfect - sunny and not terribly hot. Mom and Jan both read selections during the ceremony, and Suzanne ad-libbed  beautifully when Maddy decided to start the hand motions for "Wheels on the Bus go Round and Round..."  We had brunch catered in from The Vanilla Bean in Two Harbors.  Eggs were included, so Madeline loved it, of course!  We spent the day at Mom and Dad's house and had a barbeque that night.  Everyone was pretty tired so we called it an early night.

Madeline's Dedication Ceremony

Suzanne, our minister, and our family (Maddy's Dedication Ceremony)

Four Generations

Steve headed back to the cities on Sunday as his flight back to Portland left Monday.  Jon, Amy, Benji and Gabi also headed back home.  But Madeline and I stayed at Mom and Dad's through Friday!  It was nice to have time to relax and hang out.  Maddy enjoyed it, too, spending lots of time playing with Gerda and looking for birds outside.  Maddy and I visited some of my friends from high school, Erin and Virginia, and then headed to Park Point (Lake Superior beach). We spent time on the beach and in the water and Maddy loved playing with (and eating some) sand!  Mom, Maddy and I went shopping (thanks Mom!) and had a nice dinner at the Scenic.  Maddy was very talkative during dinner which was fun!  Mom, Dad, Maddy and I spent the a day in Bayfield visiting with Grama, going to the Pier for lunch, walking through shops and going for a boat ride.  We were boarded by the Coast Guard for a routine check which was interesting to say the least.  I spent some time with Grama doing a Historical Interview with our video camera as well.  The rest of the week flew by.

Looks like we need to get a swing!

First time on Mom and Dad's boat!

Maddy LOVES Lake Superior!

Maddy playing with Gerda

 
 We had a wonderful visit and enjoyed our time to relax with family and friends!  Thank you all for making our trip so memorable.