Camping

We went camping up in Caseville at Sleeper State Park over the weekend. Tent camping with a baby! It went really well. Kate seemed to enjoy all the outside time. She was a good baby. We had to pack much more than usual. I feel like it took a day to pack, and it will probably take a day to unpack it all too. This camping trip really gave us more reason to buy a pop up camper. It would save so much time and energy. Maybe next year. It also rained on Saturday night. The tent leaked only a little, but what a mess cleaning up in the morning. And now all the wet stuff is spread out on the back lawn drying out. I better go pick it up soon, I think it's going to rain today. :)

After I get everything all cleaned up and put away I will need to start packing for this coming weekend! We are going to Traverse City on Thursday! Can't wait. I hope we get nice weather.

Another New Baby

Welcome Morgan Leigh Hurd!

What a cutie. 10 lbs, can you believe it! Wow! There's some chubby cheeks for pinching. :)

Great picture taking by Anne!

Sweets

These were a lot of fun to make for fathers day. Another great idea from Bakerella. Cookies, cupcakes, brownies and frosting makes for one sweet fathers day treat.

Look the Part To Play the Part.

Ok, so I'm 3weeks out from the Muddy Buddy Race. Which if you haven't heard of one before, it's part race, part obstacle course and a lot of mud. My partner is Anne and we will cover 6-7 miles on bike and foot. There are obstacles along the way and at the very end a big mud pit that you must swim through. They are held in several locations throughout the US and this is the first year there is one in Michigan. Yeepee, its something I must try. I also figured that signing up for this race 2 months ago would give me some extra motivation to get back into shape.

Well since Kate's birth I've done lots of walking. I even have the greatest jogging stroller (BOB) which makes our walks so much more enjoyable. 3-4 miles about 4 days a week. I tried jogging a few times but gave up somewhat easily. It just doesn't feel the same as it used to. I also have a bad knee. I saw my knee doc. last week and he recommends physical therapy 3x/week (yeah right thats a lot of time) and gave me a super tight and uncomfortable knee sleeve/brace. Seems to be a complicated muscle problem around the knee which is pulling my knee cap incorrectly causing rubbing and pain. Complicated. I think I can figure it out though. I had the same issue a few years ago when I did have time for PT so I just need to remember the exercises and stretches.

So tonight I decided I was going to forget all excuses and really jog. I say "jog" because I know that my speed will not be a running speed for awhile yet. The first thing I decided I needed to do was look the part of a jogger. No more wearing huge baggy tshirts and pants. So I pulled out the "pre-pregnancy" clothing bin. Clothes I forgot I owned, but am eager to fit back into. I put on my favorite orange running shorts, that now fit more like spandex, pulled out my Great Lakes Relay Race shirt, and two (yes two) sports bras. I figure even though I may not be fast I would wear my "fast" outfit to further motivate me. Maybe hiding under my oversized t-shirts and sweat pants had been slowing me down. So I waved goodbye to a crying Kate and Ryan (he wasn't crying) and out the door I went.

Well it was success. The inside of my chubby thighs rubbed together for a fullfilling 2 miles. I only had to stop once, and it was to wait for traffic to clear. I did not wear the knee sleeve and my knee really didn't hurt too much. I don't know, but maybe it really is a mindset thing. Or maybe it really was the outfit...........

Biking tomorrow. The bike has been tuned up and is ready to ride. I'll be taking Anne to the trails. Bike butt coming soon.

Me in the orange shorts and race shirt. Looking back on this picture is motivating too!

Happy Birthday Cookie

I decided to try making a monster big cookie and decorate it for my dad's birthday. It was easier than I thought. Basic chocolate chip cookie recipe, just cook at a lower temperature so the middle cooks before the edges burn. Making the frosting was the most time consuming and messy part. Next time I think I'll just use the store bought frosting and tint it. Although homeade buttercream frosting is delicious!

Cupcake Pops

These cupcake creations are irresistable! How could I not try making these? They are the inspiration of Bakerella. I do admit that they are as delicious as they look and equally time consuming to bake/make. Kate took a nice long nap so I was able to create uninterrupted. These will make a sweet addition to the dessert buffet at Erin's wedding. (well not these ones, but other ones I make:)

First Day of Summer Vacation

Well, I was on maternity leave since the end of March....but today is the first day of summer vacation. And also the first day I am officially jobless since being laid off 2 weeks ago. I was not surprised to be laid off. Our school is in budget crisis and laid off 10 teachers. I have mixed feelings about it, but mostly I'm okay with it. Having Kate now kinda puts things in a different perspective for me. Yes I'm bummed to leave the school I've spent the last 6 years at, I'll miss the students and the community. But I will not miss the 2+ hours in the car each day, especially with a baby. And if I don't find another job, staying home with Kate, collecting unemployment, is not a bad deal. So last Friday I made a trip to Richmond to clean out my classroom and see the students on their last day. With the financial woes of our school things have really changed a lot since the first year I worked there. Not just that things are getting old and not being replaced, its a feeling and attitude. It's not as fun or positive of an atmosphere that it once was, fairly sad.

So today I interviewed for a PE job K-5 at a charter school that will be brand new, opening up this fall in Taylor. Only a couple miles from my house. My former principal got me hooked up with the interview. I think I did well. I feel confident that I answered all the questions with knowledge and confidence. I even put together a short power point presentation that highlighted great things I've done in pictures over the past few years. I almost brought in cookies, but I didn't want to seem too eager. :)

Kate is doing well. She is so strong! She has good head control and holds her head up high when on her belly. She loves to "stand up" when being held in our laps. She rolled over once the other day when she was on her belly. I think it was a fluke though, as she hasn't even come close to doing it again. She's always putting her hands in her mouth trying to suck her thumb. She refuses the pacifier almost always. I'll try putting it in her mouth and she pretends I'm gagging her and makes a very sour face. She will still suck on my pinky if I let her, and sometimes shoulder, arm, collar bone, etc. Sleeping through the night has happened a couple times now. She doesn't like to go to bed early. She's a night owl like her Aunt Annie! She would sleep in late if I'd let her, but generally I make sure we're up by 9 am or else bed time gets stretched later and later! :) We're working on nap routines, but for now as soon as she gets cranky I try and get her to sleep. The swing is great for nap inducement! We've been enjoying walks now. I have the best jogging stroller ever! She likes to be outside.

Kate's Batism

Great Grandma with her newest grandchildren.

Cousins Alissa, Abby, Gracyn, and Kathryn

Happy Girl!


Kate's baptism was on Sunday, 5/31 at the church we were married at. It was a beautiful day spent with family and friends.