Hocking Hills Cabin Weekend 2009

For the last 5 years, we've been heading to a Hocking Hills cabin with a big groups of friends. We usually stay for a weekend in the fall, but moved it up this year, and had a much bigger group! We had seven couples, plus kids. It's so fun to start incorporating the new additions (the kids) to our trips. We keep the weekend pretty low-key. Lots of campfires, games by candlelight on the deck, grilling out, cornhole, smores and our favorite adult beverages.

This time, we sent the guys off to golf on Saturday at a local golf course. This allowed all the ladies to lounge, nap, snack, and hike. Also allowed us to be back at the cabin for the kids' naps.

We've definitely upgraded our accommodations over the years. We had a gorgeous lodge this year, out in the middle of nowhere, with tons of bedrooms, huge bathrooms, a decked out kitchen, a game room with a pool table, a foosball table, and a poker table, plasma screens all over the house, 3 outdoor seating areas, a firepit, a hottub, a pond with a fountain. And it was all "green". Eco-friendly wasn't a selling point for us...but with all the cans and glass we go through, I am sure mother nature appreciated it!

We'll definitely stay there again next year! We love having this weekend to check out of our everyday lives and reconnect with our friends!
http://www.deermountainretreat.com/4%20seasons.html

p.s. I almost called this post "Blog Cabin"!

Jason and I sitting around the fire

Terra, me, Frasure and Claire
A few of the girls

Emerson and Teddy getting a bath after a full day...they complement each other's wildness!

Terra, wrangling up the kiddos

I don't know what this is about!

Peeking over to the lower deck

Emerson and Warren playing

Terra and Emerson playing in the stream...Em kept wanting to drink the water!

A view from above

Emerson and Teddy playing in the toy corner

90 seconds of Emerson...

Playtime!

I took a few days off this week since I was gone all of last week. Emerson is BUCKETS of fun right now! He's at such a fun age, where he just wants to play and play, and explore, and open and close, and run, and dance! He is learning how to get onto his riding toys and move around. He sometimes mistakes Kramer the cat as a riding toy. We couldn't even get pictures of this since we were laughing so hard! Whether it's a cell phone ringing, a commercial on TV, or legitimate music, this little boy dances! And, thank GOD he took after his momma, and has some rhythm.

Loves his John Deere ATV. And also loves carrying out a heavy package of diapers. He'll pick it up and take it all over the room!

Dragging his doggy

One of his favorite toys! And he knows what to do with it!
And this is sometimes what happens when he stands on his riding toys!

Snippit of Emerson's moves

Get that tongue back in your mouth!

"Long corn"

Emerson had his first corn on the cob recently! Or, as Emerson's Uncle Jared likes to call it..."long corn." We've given him corn before, just not on the cob. So, after cutting some off for him, I left some to see if he could get to it. Of course, he had fun!

SINGING to his corn on the cob!

Such a goof...
"Oh, ok...so this is how you do it!"

He's always goofin'

Baths and Books by Daddy

Jason and Emerson had a great week together. Unfortunately, Emerson's ear-infection returned while I was out of town. He's had 4 ear infections in the last year, but this most recent one seems to like him so much, it won't go away! He was diagnosed with a single ear infection about a month ago. And then after clearing up for a few days, it returned as a double ear-infection. This too completely cleared up for a week, and returned last Tuesday as a single. He's gone through a series of increasingly strong antibiotics. Let's hope this most recent one does the trick.

The two of them had some great 1:1 time while I was in Texas for 6 days, and I came home to a spotless house! And on top of that, after I unpacked yesterday, Jason did all of the laundry so I could turn in early! SCORE!

Jason texted this to me...too cute!

Jason and Emerson were reading "Lyle, Lyle, the Crocodile"...one of Jason's...I mean Emerson's favorite books

A boy and his dad

So, per the earlier blog, I'm in Texas for 6 days. That's all I'm going to say about that. Here are some of the great pics that Jason has been sending to my phone throughout the day...
p.s. Despite the brand new ear-infection, the two of them are having a blast.

Crazy bologna-head!

This is what Emerson looks like 2 seconds before he sneezes

Such a good boy...brushing his teeth!

Covering his eyes with Brutus while he sleeps (I sleep the same way)

Our little Yank

Pictures courtesy of Ms. Sylvia

Who says I can blog about Emerson just because I'm in Texas for 6 days! Below are some pics that Ms. Sylvia took at school the last couple of days.

Hmmm...we know you eat, because you grow. But I have to wonder how much is in your belly when this much is on your body!

Nice outfit, Emerson. So, he didn't dress himself in this, and Sylvia often has limited options for spare clothes, but if this little boy is anything like me, he'll definitely express himself as a child with his apparel. Once I started to dress myself, I wore the most ridiculous outfits. Ah well...self-expression.

The kid is a riot and a half!

Vaccines and bandaids

Emerson had his one-year check up at the doc this past Friday. He's happy and healthy! His ears have cleared up (we were at the doc ON his birthday with a double ear-infection). This is great for a couple reasons...no more discomfort for Emerson, and no more awful diapers on those strong antibiotics for Mom and Dad. He weighed in at a whopping 29 lbs (97th percentile) and 32.5 inches (97th percentile). I don't remember his head measurement, but it was 89th percentile. Well, at least he's still ON the charts! He's doing everything he should be doing physically and verbally. Not only strong, but very smart! Looks like he may be a linebacker at Harvard ;)

After his band-aid fell off his leg, he decided it should go on his belly. Sure, why not?

Riding toys and naked boys

Emerson is a happy boy with all of his new riding toys! He's still working on how to move forward, but he can get on them (most of the time) and scoot around a bit. Mostly, he loves all the fun noises they make. Jason has memorized all of the songs and noises, and sings along. Emerson doesn't sing along, but he DOES dance to all of the music and sort of yells along.

"OK, let's see here...gotta turn the key..." "Why sit, when I can stand!"

"Hey, Mom...I'm doing it again!"

"See!"

"I can push or pull...all your heavy loads...fast or slow, start me up, HERE WE GO! Dirt and mud are no match for meeeee! Cuz I'm a rough and rugged John Deere ATV."

---- I guess I've memorized them too!

Most appropriate picture. Ever.

SUCH a big helper!

Whether it's cooking in the kitchen with Mom, or outside power washing with Dad...Emerson is SUCH a big helper!!!

Weekend with the cousins

The weekend of Emerson's birthday party, his Aunt Melissa, Uncle Gary, and cousins Spencer, Macy and Kendall spent the night. Emerson LOVES hanging with his big cousins, and tries hard to keep up with them. They are three of the most well behaved children, ever. They are so gentle and interested in Emerson, it's so much fun to watch them all interact!

A walk around the cul-de-sac

Emerson is too busy checking out Kendall to pose for a picture
WAVE, Emerson! We actually got a huge, excited wave from him as they were walking.

After the party, getting ready for bed...kinda

Sweet Kendall sharing a story with Uncle Jason and Emerson

Emerson loved their inflatable sleeping bags!

Hugging? Wrestling?