Camping at Sherando Lake

This week is Mark's last week off before he goes to school for orientation.  We have had such an amazing summer but I wanted to get in one more family trip.  I asked Jared and Lydia if they would rather go camping or to the Beach and they said camping so camping it was.  There is no shortage of camping places around here but I asked the Farnsworth's if they had a favorite place and they told me their favorite was Sherando Lake just under an hour away, near Waynesboro.

We had not been camping since Jared was around 21 months old. I vowed I would not go again until my kids were at least 2 maybe 3 so my time was up.  We had to update some of our camping gear mostly just our tent (too bad it's the most expensive thing) and chairs which was unfortunate but now we are set to go again and I think we will because we had a really fun time. Each day before we left Lydia would say multiple times "Mommy or Daddy? Campfire? We go camping!" It was the only thing she wanted to talk about. They were so excited.  They couldn't wait to roast marshmallows and have a campfire and sleep in the tent. 

We had looked online to see what type of tent we wanted.  We chose one and found out that our local Walmart was out of stock but the one in Harrisonburg had it.  Harrisonburg is just over an hour away.  That may seem far to drive for a tent but Harrisonburg also has a *Costco and Charlottesville does not.  Mark and I also spent a fair amount of time in Harrisonburg when we came out in April, it was our top choice of places to move to.  While we were there we came across the coolest park.  So we decided we would go pick up the tent, stop by Costco and take Jared and Lydia to this park. I didn't have my camera with me but chances are good we will be back up in Harrisonburg within the next 2 months and can go back to that park because it truly is awesome!
We came back home and got everything ready so we could leave the next day after naps. I cooked our dinner (chili and baked potato) so we wouldn't have to there which worked out so well. We got to our campsite a little after four and quickly set up camp.  Then we headed down to the lake. We didn't take our hits because we would eat dinner soon and planned on doing that that next day.  Jared and Lydia had fun playing around our campsite while we set up and loved digging at the lake.

We are very happy with our new tent.  It says it sleeps 8 and I think it could but I always think they are off by like 2 people. Where would those 8 people put all their stuff?

 We tired to find Jared a chair like this (it's so cute) but none of the 3 Wal-marts we went too had one.  (Dick's Sporting Goods was out too) We got him a large one which fits him just fine.  They were both so excited about everything!

 Making Sand Angels. 

While we waited for our dinner to heat up we sang some campfire songs, played catch, blew bubbles and explored near our campsite. Mark did a super job getting the fire going and getting things ready for us.  Jared and Lydia knew they would have to eat their dinner if they wanted any roasted marshmallows. Jared ate really well and Lydia was a little pill.  First she would eat then she rallied she wouldn't get any marshmallows so she slowly started eating.  She was doing fine but then she got too much in her mouth and threw up!  It was so annoying and gross.  We did let her have a marshmallow since she did eat but it really put a damper on things.  Throwing up is disguising wherever you are but it is really annoying when you are camping.  We are so thankful she wasn't sick because that would have been the worst.  Jared and Lydia were of course so excited (well Lydia was a little sad since she was only getting one marshmallow) for their marshmallows.  Mark helped them roast them and then they ate them and didn't like them! It was pretty funny. I don't blame them I don't really like roasted (or regular) marshmallows either. I do eat them when we are camping because we use the fudge stripe cookies instead of graham crackers and chocolate bars. It's so much easier.  We also like to use these chocolate and peanut butter cookies.  So good. Jared and Lydia also experienced their first firefly sighting!  It was very exciting. We were walking back from the bathroom when I saw them in the bushes near our site.  I had Lydia and Jared walk quietly over and watched them for a few minutes.  They are pretty magical.  We sat down by the fire and watched them for awhile. I had seen them back in 2003 when I went on my Mormon American Travel Studies  program with BYU Idaho.  Funnily enough it was in Virginia that I first saw them. (Williamsburg) They are so fun.

After that we got Jared and Lydia to bed. It was 8:30 by the time they got in bed but we didn't really expect them to fall asleep any time soon.  Mark and I enjoyed the dying campfire and had a nice time together. When the campfire died down enough we went to bed.  We had lots of space and were excited to sleep but sadly slept very little at all.  We were freezing the whole night. We just had a blanket for each of us. It is summer and we were not high in elevation at all so we really thought we would be fine.  It was so torturous. The ridiculous thing was that we had an extra sleeping bag but we had given it to Jared for extra padding so he was laying on it.  It was awful.  Then I really needed to go the bathroom but was too scared to go because this campsite has bears around. So I laid there freezing, wanting to go to the bathroom most of the night. I kept imagining walking into the bathroom and running into a bear.  Mark offered to go with me but then I thought what if a bear eats us both. What will Jared and Lydia do in the morning. Overactive mind much? Mark and I tired to keep each other warm but we were so uncomfortable. We drifted in and out of sleep for the whole night. Finally around 5:00 I got up and went to the bathroom.  No bears, but I was so nervous and then I was so glad I went! Thankfully Jared and Lydia were plenty warm and slept really well once they fell asleep, when we came to bed. 

The next morning we had our Hot Chocolate while our breakfast cooked and then packed up our campsite. While we were packing everything up Jared asked me to come over where he was.  I walked over and he showed me some "bear paws".  Earlier we had checked around our tent for any tracks. We hadn't heard anything at night but I knew he would like it.  He was super cute about it. Then we headed down to the lake, at 9:00 in the morning.  Yeah, were early risers here.

We got to the lake and got Jared and Lydia in their swimming suits. I wasn't sure if they would really want to swim because it was so early and might be cold but the water was really nice.  They had a blast. I asked Jared if he preferred swimming in a pool, a lake, or the ocean and he prefers a lake. The water felt so nice Mark and I changed into our suits too.  It was fun to play in the water and sand. We had the lake to ourselves for about 30 minutes and then some other swimmers showed up.  I guess people know how nice the lake is.  It was really fun. I am so glad we went down to enjoy it before we left.  We took off and got home in time for Jared and Lydia to eat lunch and take naps.  We had to wake them both up after 3 hours. We really had a great time camping, (minus the throw up, freezing night and bathroom issues which makes it sound not very fun but it totally was.) and are looking forward to going again.  It was really pretty and since it was mid week it was not crowded at all.  The facilities are really nice too. I hope we can go again in the fall.

They had it sectioned off which was really nice.  Jared felt really cool he could go all the way out to the rope. Here he is holding Lydia's hand to help her.  So sweet. They totally know how to push each others buttons but also play really well together.

*There is a Sams Club here so we went ahead and joined.  We were so disappointed.  Costco is so much better (for our family) than Sams Club.  Fortunately they are building a Costco right now. It should open mid year (2015) and we can't wait! 

On your mark, get set, go!

Around 5:00 today I got an email from a fun girl in our new ward.   Her name is Laura Farnsworth. In her email she told me about an event the Charlottesville Track Club was putting on.  Every Monday night in July they host family races at the UVA Stadium, which is super nice. Registration begins at 6 and the first race is at 6:30. I had just put dinner in the oven and wasn't sure we could make it but I knew it was something Jared and Lydia would totally love. So I had the kids hurry and change into some "racing" clothes and we ate dinner super fast. Mark looked up how to get to the stadium and off we went. I am so happy we did it.  It was such a fun event.  You paid 2 dollars per person to register and could participate in as many races as you wanted. There were about 8 different races.  Some for kids, some for siblings to run together, some for just adults and some adult/kids races.

We had Jared and Lydia participate in the 100 and 200.  Neither Jared or Lydia have played any group sports or "competed" so I was interested to see how they would do. Mark signed up for the mile and ran it in 6:36!! He is so good.  HE doesn't even have to train. He just walks up and does it. Its slightly annoying seeing as how I struggle with 2 miles and I run regularly. But Jared and Lydia did awesome.   They had great attitudes and loved participating. They lined the participants by age so the 2 year olds (Lydia) were first. Mark was her escort and just ran alongside her.  There were 8 - 10 other 2 year olds and she got 3rd place. So fun.

 "Ready, steady go!"

Lydia says this all the time! 

After Lydia the three year olds went and then the 4 year olds so Jared was up.  There were more 4 year olds than any other age, so they did 2 races.  Jared ran with 8 - 10 other kids and got second place! He was so proud of himself! I was too. He was just beaming.

 He is so funny about this shirt. It is his "Number shirt".  

He says wearing it makes him really fast! 

 Mark ready to go! 

the next race for Jared and Lydia was the 200.  There weren't are many 2 year olds this time and Lydia finished first of the 2 year olds and after most tot the three year olds.  The first race she was pretty focused and on this one, probably since it was longer she just sort of ran around. Towards the end Mark said she paid more attention. It was so cute to see her little legs running.g  Ahh I loved it!!! Jared did really well in his second race. He ended up getting third place.  We didn't really care what place they got but were pleasantly surprised they did so well.  It was just a super fun event.  

 Happy Participants!

It was so fun to watch the kids run around and play.  They were so excited.  I keep finding more and more things to love about Charlottesville. We are so lucky to live here!!! It was great to have a chance to visit with the Farnsworth's too. They seem like such a fun family. They have 2 boys a 6 and 3.5 year old and a little girl who is not one yet.  They live just up the street from us. I hope we can hang out with them a lot.  We are actually going to the County Fair with them Thursday. We're just so happy to be here. 

A little taste of Charlottesville

Before Sue left we went to check out a few of Charlottesville's main attractions.  She and Mark spent a morning at Monticello, Jefferson's home. I have been before and didn't think it would be that much fun for Jared and Lydia who are just really happy to have all their toys back. It is only 20 minutes away and I hope to go in the fall when it looks like this:

They had a really nice time.  Jefferson was pretty amazing. We also went over to the Downtown mall which has cute shops and live music every night it seems.  The other place we stopped was the University of Virginia. UVA is kind of a big deal here.  I have always liked the idea of living in a university town and am happy UVA is here. The campus is beautiful and has lots of history. I learned when you refer to UVA you say you are going to "The Grounds," not campus. We walked around "The Lawn" where the Rotunda is located and the original student housing.  There are apartments on the East and West side and in the middle is a large grassy area.  Jefferson wanted it to be place where scholars met and socialized.  Since he spent a lot of time in Europe he was heavily influenced by their architecture and the ground are so pretty. Now the housing is available for grad students who have to apply to live there.  Founding/designing UVA was one of three things Jefferson requested to be put on his tombstone.  That along with his authorship of the Declaration of Independence and his responsibility for the statute of religious freedom in Virginia. Who cares about being President right?

Sadly the Rotunda is being restored and is fenced off and will be for the next 1.5 to 2 years. I am sure it is pretty amazing inside. We did manage to take a few pictures at UVA.

 This is where Edgar Allan Poe lived.  

He later dropped out of UVA but he was here. 

The Rotunda, you can just see the black tarp/fence at the bottom. 

We are glad Sue could catch a few of the sites before she left.  She helped us in so many ways and we are so grateful for her help! 

1017 Stirling Court

We are renting a 2bedroom, 2.5 bath, 1380 square foot town home for the foreseeable future. Our home in Colorado was 1580 square feet and had such a great floor plan.  It also had three bedrooms.  I knew while we were living there that my kitchen was pretty great but not till I came here and saw I had ONE drawer did I realize how great it was. That being said now that we are all unpacked and everything is put away I am really happy with our location.  I wish there was a 3rd bedroom but the two we have are really good sized and we are loving the neighborhood we are in.  It's the RiverRun neighborhood and a great location.  When we tell people where we live in town they all comment on what a great spot it is. It sort of feels like it is in the middle of the things you want to be close to.  It's 15 minutes to downtown and the University of Virginia and 15 minutes the other direction to newer shopping. It has an awesome walking path and nice playground nearby.  Both we can access from our house easily.  The nicely paved path leads to the park, (Pen Park) the fitness trail and a nature trail. We also have access to a swimming pool and tennis courts.  The swimming pool is a 4 minute walk from our house with Jared, probably double that with Lydia but still, less then 10 minutes away. It's great.  Our patio also backs up to the Rivanna Trail which is a 20 mile trail that goes around Charlottesville. It has been a great spot so far and we are doing pretty well finding our way around.  We have met a few neighbors and they are all very friendly and welcoming.  It has been a really smooth transition. Jared and Lydia have never shared a room before so I was pretty nervous about that.  Our walk-in closet is huge so we have Lydia take her naps in there while Jared takes his in their room. We told them if they kept each other up Lydia would have to sleep in the closet. Jared actually wants Lydia in with him. He said he likes it so then he isn't lonely.  We have tried it about 5 nights and they are 3 for 2.  So she has stayed more then she has left so far.  We will see. 

Here are a ton of pictures of our new place and neighborhood:

 So much space! I so appreciate all the shelving the owners put in here and in the kitchen laundry closet. And I thought our closet in Colorado was good sized.

 We got new bedding. 

I am slightly obsessed with yellow and gray and pretty aqua blue  I LOVE it! 

 Leading into master bathroom. Closet is on the right. Shower on the left.

I had hoped to put our desk downstairs but it works way better in here. I like how it turned out. 

 From their bathroom.

 Jared and Lydia's bedroom and attached bathroom.  It is just a shower which at first disappointed me as they would have to take their bath in our bathroom then but we bought them these new towels and they have been asking to use their shower instead of a bath so that worked our great.  We can easily move Lydia into the closet and Jared in our room for visitors. 

 Since we have more stuff (mostly kitchen, that whole 1 drawer thing) than we we have space for we had to repack some boxes and throw them up here.  A few of them like the copy paper ones on the right are just full of moving supplies like tape and bubble wrap. It's not my favorite place to stereo something but at the same time it is because I had no idea where else we could put it all and it gets it out of the way.  We have a storage shed on our back patio that I was really excited about but because of the humidity I can't store cardboard boxes out there, so plan B. I am just glad it is put away even if it is in kind of plain sight.

 View from big chair in above picture.  We just need to print off our new family pictures and hang them up in that big empty space. 

 We have these really nice doors that lead to our patio.  

This is the view while on the couch. It is so green! 

 Our private woods. So many trees! I love it but will admit that even with the windows closed the bugs are so loud!! When we lay down to sleep at night I am just shocked at how loud they are. We have seen at least three deer here which Jared and Lydia love. They play "Babmi" a whole lot more here. Good thing we are not trying to grow a garden. 

Standing by doors looking into kitchen/entryway. 

See the 1 drawer by the fridge!! 

 Play area and Laundry closet. (standing at sink) We do have a very nice pantry for which I am so grateful.

Here are some pictures from the walking path.  It takes us around 10 minutes to get on the path and we are walking through nice shaded residential streets not busy ones. I have gone running twice and Mark once.  We love this paved trail!

 The path goes right by this golf course. 

 Down to the tennis courts

 To the Fitness Trail (.5 mile loop with some equipment for stretching and strengthening) 

 To the nature trail (3 miles round trip)

View from Pen Park.  So pretty! 

Our Pool

We went to play at the park and decide to go on an impromptu hike, because you can do that here, there are little trails everywhere.  We will have to quickly learn how to identify Poision Ivy.

 And in exciting news last Thursday, July 24th Jared learned how to pump his legs while swinging.  We have been talking about it for awhile now and practicing together.  Mark gave him an underdog and then he just took off. I am not even sure he realized he knew how to do it until I pointed out that he was moving himself!  We are super proud of him and glad he has figured this out. Oh Happy day!

We are super excited to be here and are feeling settled. Mark went and registered our cars and got his new license. I will go this week. We found out that here in Virginia (and maybe other states too) you can register your car for 2 years. SO smart!  He happily did that.  He also had to take the eye exam and just barely passed.  For at least a year now maybe 2 he has been talking about needing to get his eyes checked he really will need too now.  I am glad we are here with this much time before school starts so we can get all these things done. We did drive by his school last week so we could see where it was and how long it would take him. It is about 8 minutes away.  So nice. We will stop in this week. So many people we have talked to have told us how much they love Charlottesville and that they don't ever plan to leave. We have also heard that it is really safe.  We were talking to the leasing guy and he said he hasn't locked his car or house for 20 years.  We are slowly adjusting to the humidity.  We definitely feel it but it is not a awful as I thought it would be. Everyone keeps telling us that is has been a very nice mild summer I am so glad! We have been so blessed and had so many prayers answered.

WE LOVE IT!

One weird thing here in this neighborhood is the garbage system. People literally just put their trash bags on the sidewalk the day of and it gets picked up.  So weird but it gets done.  

 Can you tell we just moved in?