My my! Look who is getting her very first back account? She got herself a job at the Berry Patch and she needs someone to keep all that cash she's bringing in.
Naturally I sneak a picture.
She's feeling pretty proud to be the youngest Hufford yet to get a job!
Wachter chose Ft Lauderdale to have it's big kick-off this year. Last year was Miami and I was in the middle of keeping teenagers whole and healthy, so I didn't go. That left Mark walking the beach alone with nary a hand to hold. Still, he had to go to meetings and mixers and I got to take naps and explore the shops and collect seashells.
We are so obsessed with birdies these days! Look how they all face into the wind and enjoy the sunrise.
It should be noted that it is SO VERY COLD back in Kansas City. It seems impossible that not everyone is freezing in February. Which explains why I couldn't imagine needing a pair of shorts and therefore didn't pack anything lighter than jeans and a t-shirt. Mark was in meetings all day, so I finally found a row of gift shops and set about purchasing shorts and a tank that weren't crazy expensive and that I might possibly wear again sometime. I found a public restroom on my walk back and crammed my Kansas clothes into the gift shop bag.
It was so nice to get away and feel the sun on our faces.
But we were grateful that they seemed to only want our apples and peanut butter, not our blood and tears.
This was one of my favorite camping weekends ever. Not because the campground was special in any way, or because there was lots of fun things to do or because we made amazing pioneer food.
It was because we had such a fun time together laughing and taking pictures and enjoying the fact that we could just sit and make fire and watch the moon and sleep in and slow down together. I love these kids. Even though this year they didn't really feel like kids. They stepped up in monumental ways to do the heavy lifting that comes with camping...planning, packing, setting up, cooking, dishes, watching over each other. I am the luckiest mom.
Setting up the tent with very little help from mom
Rainbow sleeping bag straps make the best holders for the string lights.
Friends coming for a visit and a chat.
Tinfoil dinners will always be the best meal on our first night.
We love the new camping lights!
The first night was in the low 30s. Our tent was also sloping downhill. The combination kept me perpetually sliding off the bottom of my air mattress to start the propane heater so we didn't freeze our buns off.
We stayed cozy in our sleeping bags and listened to John Mayer until the sun came out and warmed us up a bit.
Meg is turning into Ethan. Boots and Carhart and ready to whip up some breakfast burritos for everyone.
Delicious!
We had to kill the fire because the wind forced a burn ban for the day. We found a sunny spot and let the that ball of fire do it's job.
AJ figured out that she could use the concrete barrier to sand the soft seed of the acorns into flat beads. She got right to it. She inhereited my "I need a project" gene. That gene has gotten me through many long vacation days....collection mini seashells, painting rocks, making stick dolls, firing clay pots.....need I go on?
Megan and Laney spent the afternoon drawing in the sun.
Megan rallied us all to go down and check out the lake. I wanted a "picture in front of the water". No more room for the water, but I love these faces!! Listening to them laugh and take silly pictures of each other filled my heart right up.
AJ tried to give us each a rock to throw in the water but when we realized that two of them were an L and a V, we knew these rocks had a destiny.
Our whole group (Flynns, Petersons, Jensens, and Leitheisers) walked down to the lake 15 minutes before sunset and stared at the western sky like a bunch of idiots, waiting for a glimpse of the Atlas comet. We thought we had spotted it at least 5 times, only to realize it was a just a shiny plane, leaving a tail in the clouds. Bored, AJ offered to give me a ride in the wagon and, to her surprise, I accepted!
We finally peeled our eyes away from the comet-watch and we were stunned by the gorgeous moon on the water right behind us.
We all agreed that the fabulous moon put the no-show comet to shame. And I got to enjoy watching my girls from the comfort of a wagon, haha!
Back at camp, Megan made pies for everyone. I wouldn't be sad if she takes over pie-making duties permanently.
Our second and final night wasn't as cold. But we still burrowed into our sleeping bags until almost 9 am. That's got to be a camping record.
We headed home early to spend time with Mark. He's not having happy times at work right now. And we're missing him. So we had our oatmeal breakfast and nacho lunch. The kids honest-to-goodness packed up the entire camp with almost no help or direction from me and we were on the road back to Olathe.
Some might question our decision to undergo multiple renovation projects right before hosting an open house for Ethan and Kassie's wedding.
Those would be the smart people.
But here we are and there's no getting out of it. Let's all say our prayers and hopefully the floor won't look like this as of May 18th.
After 18 years, 6 kids with a penchant for living room eating and two geriatric dogs....it was time for new carpet.
The hardwood floors will be refinished and that means the banister will get an update too! Restained to a dark walnut and wrought iron spindles that don't pop out.
The tick-marks scratched into the newel post have been sanded out. They are still ever so faint...and I'm not sad about it.
The floor guy came and put down some samples for us, so we could choose which one we liked the best. I didn't realize he was going to sand down a large area and actually stain the actual floor with actual stain.
I also didn't think he would get the wrong address and put down 5 colors we didn't ask for.
No matter....back to stain a couple more spots!
We made our carpet selections....and then made them again when we found out that our choice was discontinued.
In the meatime, we have guys in the back yard replacing our rickety fence with a new metal one. It doesn't feel as private, but considering a large section of the old one had fallen down, its' definitely an upgrade.
And guess who will never have to restain that fence again??
It's not all bad. We've been spending lots of quality time in the garage...sitting on our garage couches.
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