Happy Halloween

Dropping in to say Happy Halloween!

I'll be hanging with my favorite fireman and his Dalmatian sidekick today!

We don't really get into decorating our house and trick-or-treating (yet!), but we do like to be creative with costumes for Callen and now Graham. We had intended to make our stroller into a firetruck this year, but that just didn't happen!

Looking back...

2013...Our little 'Popcorn'

2014...Aviator Callen

2015...Dressed up as real life campers and went camping!!

Have a fun and spooky day!

It's That Time of Year

It's fall...the time of year when people start thinking about making pumpkin everything, apple picking, and cooler temps. It also means college football!!! This year's Clemson schedule has been  great to allow us the opportunity to go to Clemson games, but also go camping, shrimpin', and even have a weekend free at home to work on some projects. We've been to all but the South Carolina State game(Callen and Graham didn't make it to the Louisville game either). Callen has enjoyed himself at the tailgates, running around and playing with the big kids. He hasn't done as much tailgrazing this year as in seasons past. However, he thinks going to 'Clemson Tigers' football games are the best. From our parking spot, we can hear the band march through on the way to the stadium. Last game he heard them and about jumped out of his skin letting us know that it was starting and we needed to leave! Too bad his enthusiasm for the actual game isn't as great as it is for the running down the hill!! With Callen's lack of focus on the game and the hot temps, we have spent the majority of the games at our tailgate spot or most recently from the newly renovated Littlejohn.

Here are some pics from the first couple of games the boys went to...

Troy

Cal wanted to spray his hair orange for the first game! He pretty much sweated it out in the first 5 minutes we were there!

Ber and Graham

Playing some football

Attempting to stay cool with the spray bottle

Papa and Graham

Cal and his bucket of snacks (thanks to Ber for that one!) He is literally finishing the bucket of snacks as I sit and type this. Almost 2 months worth of snacks!

Graham's first game

NC State

We went to see the Homecoming floats a day early to avoid long lines. Cal was pumped he was able to wear an orange hard hat

Admiring the Clemson firetruck...or wishing he could climb all over it like the big boys!

Taking a break from the stadium during the NC State game and enjoying running around Littlejohn

We made it back in time to see OT and watch the Tigers win!!!

Introducing Callen to the art of sliding down hills on cardboard boxes. One of my favorite memories of Clemson tailgating growing up.

2 tired boys!!!

Camping at Mt. Pisgah

Last year for Christmas, we bought ourselves a tiny house giant 6 person tent. The footprint of this tent is 10'x10', and is squared up on the sides and top vs. being a dome, making it feel much larger than a normal tent (especially the 2 person tents we are used to!). We also gave Cal a sleeping bag, head lamp, and Thermarest of his own to use for camping. He enjoys the outdoors as much as we do, so we figured it would be best to invest early in outdoor equipment for him so he can get some good use out of it. We've been excited to try out the tent, but have not had the opportunity to go camping since purchasing the tent...until last weekend.

Getting the tent prepped

Laying out his sleeping bag

Getting his air mattress and pillow ready

Doug was itching to take the boys camping. Graham enjoys being outside and has done well on all our hikes, so we decided to go ahead and take him now. Worst case scenario...we pack up our stuff in the night and leave, or one of us sleeps in the car with him if he's screaming and waking up the campground. (Graham has been good about sleeping through the night, so that factored into our decision to take him now versus when he is older.) We stayed at the Mt. Pisgah campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway during our vacation last year. We enjoyed the area so much that we went back last October for an overnight trip. Because of its proximity to Greenville (an hour and a half drive) and being able to get up in elevation for beautiful views, we opted to return there again for this trip.

What a great time. Callen loves helping Doug with all the tent set up. He hammered stakes into the ground, helped gather firewood, and even assisted with sawing of the firewood for a fire. Cal is also working on his fire making skills, but with lots of supervision from dad. He had a big time playing in the tent...you know you have a big tent when your kid can run laps in it!!! If there was dirt to play in, Callen was sure to find it. He had layers on top of layers on top of layers of dirt. But, he was having a blast and that was what was important! Graham did great too. He napped a little bit here and there, but was quite content to sit in his bouncy seat and watch the action. He didn't help out too much around the campsite this trip, but I'm sure Doug and Cal will have him busy working on the next trip.

Hammering in the stakes

Getting the campfire ready

Helping Doug saw some wood

Admiring his work

DIRTY!!!

Happy boy!

Snoozin'

Staying warm

Enjoying dinner and drinks!

Silly boys

As dusk approached, Cal kept asking Doug if it was nighttime yet. He was so excited to see the stars. Doug kept telling him not yet, but Cal continued to ask every few minutes. Finally he saw the first star in the sky!! Pure happiness. Before long the entire sky was filled with stars without any light pollution to distract our view. What a beautiful and peaceful end to a great day.

A dad and his boys

Learning the art of roasting marshmallows

Tasting a 'marshmallow sandwich' (we didn't have enough chocolate for s'mores!). He took about two bites and was done with it. Not his favorite.

It's finally getting dark. Bring out the headlamps

Cal will never smile for the camera unless you are doing a selfie with him...then he smiles nonstop!

Telling Graham goodnight. Cal LOVES his brother

Cal crawled up into Doug's lap and fell asleep looking at the stars. To say I had a happy husband is the understatement of the century. Doug was beyond happy to snuggle with his little buddy.

Two sleeping boys

What a great first camping trip as a family of four. We knew Callen would have a big time, but it was such a relief with how well Graham did. He woke up with chilly hands and feet, but never seemed uncomfortable. He was such a trooper. We probably won't be going camping in the winter (unless we go south), but I have a feeling we will be back in the woods sometime in the spring! Anyone want to join this time?