It only takes a starter stick

Ryan, Stephanie, and I went on a weekend campout with the Heilmans and Heilman Jrs. this weekend at Tims Ford State Park.

It couldn't have been a more perfect weekend for camping! We might have liked it a little cooler for sleeping but after our freezing experience two years ago - we can't be too choosy.

Be sure to check out the other participant's blogs - there are some great group shots that I don't have for starters!

Set up

Randy and Mary Jane enjoying TOASTED bread courtesy of the extension cord running to their new acquisition: a pop-up camper.

The bugs weren't too bad - but the little bees liked our food.

On Sabbath afternoon we took a hike.

We were disapointed that we never walked next to the lake unless we got off the beaten path.


We are glad Stephanie is back!


Stephanie... and Boris...

Two years have passed since the Cumberland falls trip. What a lot has happened in those two years!

One of my favorite things about camping is looking up at all the trees above you.

Ryan sharpening his knife by the fire. He enjoyed fire building with his starter sticks - they make fire building as easy as lighting it!

It was also nice to have a bow saw for cutting up the wood we dragged over the bridge from across the lake.

Smores!

Stephanie borrowed a hammock to sleep in

Ryan and I toughed it out on the ground

This morning before everybody was awake, Ryan and I went down to the bridge

In a few weeks, the colors will probably be spectacular!

Ryan brought food for the fish

He even attracted a big carp

Stephanie eats while warming her pancake precariously over the fire

MJ multitasks by avoiding smoke and flipping pancakes while eating

Then it was time to clean up and head home where we are now attempting to get the smoke smell out of everything.

As a side note - we got a visit from Robin and Jake this weekend. He's the newest addition to the Knight family and Robin is keeping him with her in the annex at MPA this year. What a sweet little dog he is (soon to be not-so-little most likely)!

Evening riverwalk

Last night Ryan and I took a trip downtown to see the Dolphins & Whales IMAX, eat at Tony's and walk around. While we were walking, so many good memories came back to me...

One year ago about now we were all jumping in our cars headed up to Asheville for Tara & Erik's wedding. Then plus a week or so, Ryan and I went downtown for supper at Tony's and came back engaged. Plus a few more days, Ryan and Carrie took a walk downtown too while Ryan and I went to the symphony and then they were engaged too. It seems like time has just flown by since then. Nothing like a bunch of weddings and graduations to make it go. And here we are - all married and Tara and Erik about to celebrate their first year together!

We also enjoyed looking at all the sculptures downtown. Although, I must say, half of it leaves you thinking - is this really art? A five year old could design this! Here are a few examples:


This one I affectionately call the FRENCH FRIES

An oil can with wings???


The white blob at the top of the picture below is another one of those I don't understand. It's like a whale with three colored balls stacked up over it. Where did that artistic inspiration come from?

But now lets show you a few of our favorites:
We liked the grandpa talking to his granddaughter by Rembrandts and the great dane by the Walnut Street Bridge but here are our top 3.

3rd place - the baseball game

Ryan stands in front of the pitcher to throw a strike

2nd place - the driftwood horse
This is really bronze but it looks so much like driftwood. A man riding around on a bike told us that a smaller horse done by this artist recently sold for $385,000.

1st place - the hang glider

I'd never seen this one before but we thought it was really neat because of where it sits on a steep slope overlooking the river. There must be some counter balance to hold it up since there is only one TOE touching the ground but you can't see it from our vantage points.

The season ends

Its the end of our summer and what a summer it has been...
Our Lookouts season started the weekend of Carrie's wedding and we went to our last game last night just as school is starting. So much has changed since we went to that game in the end of May!

#1 Stephanie is back!

#2 Being Chik-fil-A night - we had many cows in attendance

They even participated in the chicken dance.

#3 We got to go into the outfield after the game. I am very jealous - the grass is so soft and cushy and beautiful. I would think it would be so much easier to judge bounces when the lawn is so uniform!

We all had to take our shoes off and experience the lush carpet. ;-)

#4 We're now the Carlsons and the Knights!
All 8 of us (actually 12 if you count Kelli and Danny & Nick and Shanin too) have been married between June 1 and August 29 *Congrats to Lindsey and Don!*)
I doubt there will be another summer to top this wedding count.

And what could end it off better than fireworks?