Camping with Maggie

We found ourselves with 2 big sisters gone and 1 Maggie who was dying to go camping. This had been a goal of hers last summer and we never could go. SO... on a Tuesday at 4 we left the city in search of cooler temperatures and a fun overnight camping adventure. We traveled only 40 minutes away to Hanging Rock State Park. There we found campsite #32 and pitched the tent. Already Maggie was claiming this to be the "best camping trip EVER". Off to a good start, we then decide to go hiking up to Hanging Rock. It was about 1.3 miles one way, up hill and should take about 40 minutes. The hike was nice but HOT!!! Even at 6:30 pm! It got quite a bit steeper as we neared the summit but was a fun outing. The dogs were exhausted at the top and we were all sweaty! But the view was AMAZING!! We hung out for a while then headed back down and to the campsite. Maggie got to experience a pay phone for the first time since there was no cell service here. We cooked a yummy steak dinner with hobo packets of beer soaked potatoes, carrots, fire toasted bread and brie and ended with s'mores, of course! We were in the tent by 11 and asleep by 12. Then up by 6 am! We then started the fire and began making breakfast. Eggs, hashbrowns, bacon and toast. Packed up camp by 8 and went on a short hike to the waterfalls. It was a great, quick camping trip. Maggie said it was "epic"!

Graduation

I cannot believe it has been one month since my Katie graduated from high school. Life was so crazy then and I could not find the time to blog. But the good news is that graduation was a really nice ceremony, Katie enjoyed it and the family dinner beforehand was delicious and fun! After the ceremony, Katie then went to an after party from 11-3 am! Yikes! glad I did not have to wait up for her. But she did wake me up to tell me all about it at 1 am and again when she got home at 3:30 am. So glad she had a blast with her friends. They went to the beach the next day and she has been busy ever since!!! Looks like we will move her into her dorm on August 19th, and she returns from camp on August 18th! She really is leaving home and it feels like she already has. I feel that she is ready and will make the transition to college easily. Katie (who will be going by Kate, now) is very excited about college life and can't wait to get there. Good luck sweet girl!!

Anna Maria Island, Florida

The drive was LONG ( and I got a speeding ticket on the way down) but once we got there it was beautiful. The Gulf was a gorgeous light blue and nice and cool! The weather was lovely too. Hot, sunny with only one day of rain. We enjoyed our family, sleeping late, running together daily, and a fun forth of July. Unfortunately, Katie had to fly home early to be at work at camp. The rest of us drove home on Saturday (again long and Harper got a speeding ticket this time). It might be cheaper for us to fly!

Yummy Breakfast Times Three

Harper and I have been watching Treme - the HBO series that is about post-Katrina New Orleans. We got a hankering for some Cafe Du Monde coffee and beignets. So on Sunday we made coffee and beignets! Maggie at first said that she did not "eat" beignets but quickly changed her mind after the first bite. She ate SIX! It was a delicious breakfast after a 5 mile trail run! I made them again on Monday for Lilly's birthday breakfast and again on Tuesday. We will now take a break, for at least a few months, before indulging in this high fat, but oh, so sweet french delicacy.

Lilly's Birthday!

Happy 15th Birthday to my sweet Lilly! It was day of sleeping late, going to the DMV to get a learner's permit and a family lunch so the birthday girl could hang with friends that night. All plans started off pretty well until we got to the DMV. We only allowed about 45 minutes to get the permit before meeting everyone for lunch. There was a massive line that just continued to grow so we stayed. We ended up waiting for one and half hours but she PASSED!!!!! We ended up meeting everyone at 1:40 (instead of 12:30) at Sticks and Stones. It was a good lunch but a little rushed since everyone else had eaten. Anyway, Lilly drove Maggie and I around the neighborhood after lunch and before her friends came over. I think she will be an excellent driver, but right now she is a little reluctant to leave the neighborhood. Lilly went to dinner at Tex and Shirley's and then for ice cream at Ben and Jerry's. I think she had a good birthday!