Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground...

We've stayed at a lot of campgrounds in our 4+ years of camping, some of them primitive (well, as primitive as you can get with a full service camper!), some of them historic, some beach front, others lake front, one was simply the old VT golf course - but we can honestly say that the BEST campground we've stayed at so far is Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground...wow! Not that it should be all that surprising - it is a Disney property after all. 

From the moment we arrived we knew this was going to be a unique and memorable experience. Everyone was super friendly, it was all so clean and pristine and upon seeing our campsite we knew we were in for a treat - never before had we been in a site that was so secluded - even though we had neighbors on either side of us. Add to that our lake front site and we were in camper heaven! 

The resort is huge so we had heard all along that renting a golf cart was key - so that's what we did. Harper enjoyed his first golf cart experience and the many rides that followed. There were playgrounds nearly every half mile, great walking paths and a dog park for the pups, a spectacular pool with a slide that Adam went down probably 50+ times (I also went once or twice) and a great game room that provided some air conditioned fun one afternoon. Harper got to enjoy the pool as well but he preferred his private pool at our campsite - he clocked some quality splish splash time in that thing - did we mention it was hot? 

Another highlight was the nightly Campfire Sing-a-Long with Chip 'n Dale. It was our first opportunity to meet and of course hug a Disney character and also brought some great memories for me as I got to sing along to songs like "Zip-a-dee-do-da" and the "Hokie Pokie" (how appropriate!) By the third night Adam was also singing along. Of course every night he got into the dance party portion - doing the "Hand Jive" and "The Twist" with Chip 'n Dale dancing right beside. It was pure Disney magic just a 2 minute walk from our campsite. The sing-a-longs were followed each night by a "Movie Under the Stars" where we got to see "Up," "Rescuers Down Under," and "Monsters Inc." 

Another night-time tradition there was the electric boat parade and the "Wishes" fireworks show that is put on at Magic Kingdom every evening - but seeing as we were just across the Seven Seas Lagoon from there we had front row/waterfront views each night. They had speakers set up on the beach area so we could hear the music that went along with the fireworks and let me tell you I was eating up all the Disney magic - Adam was too - though I think I felt a few eye rolls as I squeezed him tight as Jiminy Cricket expounded nightly "and may all your wishes come true!" It truly is a magical place. 

In the light of day the waterfront proved to be pretty magical for Andy as he spotted a line of Boston Whalers all shiny and pretty - there's no doubt that must be what Heaven looks like to him. 

Another highlight of our resort was that we were just 25 minutes away from my cousin Sean who surprisingly was not traveling during our visit and was able to join us for dinner one night. It was awesome getting to introduce him to Harper - who appeared quite smitten. We also enjoyed a nice catch-up session during a long walk with the dogs down to the waterfront. Cousins rock - it's true. 

The resort also had some of the best "camp stores" we've ever been in. It's true - a must-do on each camping trip is to check out the camp store - sometimes it's a whole lot of nothing - other times you find some new camping "tchotchke" and other times you're at Disney and it's one big toy store that you just can't stop visiting! We didn't go overboard, only buying a few Christmas ornaments - have to keep with tradition - and random supplies here and there - but the visits were always fun none the less and Adam was sure to have me snap a few pics of him with some Goofy stuff for Aunt Kathleen. 

After an epic journey to Florida we couldn't have asked for a better "home away from home" during our Disney vacation - and no doubt we'll be back!

Disney World Bound...

We hit the road last month with camper, kids & dogs in tow for a road trip to Walt Disney World. Epic journey is probably the better way to describe it. We laughed, we cried some, there was crawling and swimming, 7 campgrounds visited, a couple roadside repairs, Mickey, magic and oh so much more! 

The adventure began with an early departure to avoid weather that was going to hinder our original departure plans. A "quick" jaunt down 95 got us just north of Richmond and a good head start on our journey to Florida. We stopped at a cute little campground off 95 that we've driven by many times before but never had reason to stop as it was just a little too close to home to make sense. Adam loved the park and Harper loved getting to really explore the camper for the first time as a "mobile" baby. 

The next day it was up with the sun so we could get moving towards our next destination, one of our favorite "off the highway" campgrounds, Raleigh Oaks in North Carolina. We were excited to get there so we could hit the pool and because of our early departure we were only looking at about a 4 hour drive....or so we thought. As luck would have it, about 20 miles from our exit Andy watched in the side view mirror as our back right camper tire flew off...ummm...ok. So it was on to the side of the road for a good 5 hours as we waited first for a flatbed tow truck to get us and then once our roadside assistance folks realized that was hard to find it was on to plan B which was a roadside repair by two local yocals (sp?). Needless to say it was a pretty tense time as trucks and cars flew past us non-stop and before we knew if we'd be able to get it repaired (did I mention when the tire flew off it stripped the lugg nuts out making it so we couldn't simply just put the spare on?) we had to have the chat with Adam that our Disney trip was in jeopardy - yeah, that was a fun conversation. In the end it all worked out and Andy and one of the repair guys were even able to find our tire - in perfect condition - after walking up and down the side of the highway in search of it saving us money, of course, and lost travel time the next day buying a new tire - so there's the silver lining you like to find in a situation like that. Alas, after our 4 hour drive turned into an almost 10 hour journey we finally made it to Raleigh Oaks - Adam immediately made a friend, Harper got some much needed play time, and Andy and I got some much needed adult beverages and our journey was back on track. 

The next stop was Savannah where we stayed at a great KOA just two miles off 95 - and yet with the scenery it felt like we were no where near a busy interstate. Adam and I enjoyed some time at their pool and playground while Andy watched the US Open and Harper napped. We even snuck in a trip to a nearby Super Walmart for groceries and supplies as our next stop was Disney World!! 

The drive from Savannah to Orlando was about 6 hours (towing the camper means max speeds of about 60 mph - not to mention plenty of stops to feed the kiddos, change diapers, gas fill-ups, etc. etc.) Once we hit downtown Orlando I turned on the Disney channel on Pandora and the whole family started to get excited - yes, even Andy had a "goofy" grin on his face - maybe that was just him looking forward to the driving being over. Before we knew it we were pulling into Walt Disney World and to the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. 

Let the magical vacation begin! 

Adam's Last Day of 1st Grade!

And so another school year comes to a close and boy did it go by fast! Adam had a super successful year as a 1st grader. It's amazing how much he has learned - he's reading past a 2nd grade level and says his favorite subject is math (what!?) Highlights from the year are following the hatching of the baby eagles on the "Eagle Cam" this spring, being the top reader in his class logging in 175 books during the spring school-wide reading contest, earning the "Rocking Reader" award & watching his writing progress throughout the year from short (sloppy) sentences to well thought out descriptive sentences that were slightly less sloppy (ha - always room to grow!) It was fun getting his writing journals from the year and reading about our weekends, vacations and holidays. Always fun to see what the highlights were from Adam's point of view - kind of like his own little blog - maybe I'll have to post some of his entries. :)

We are going to miss Ms. Jaeschke as he's moves to 2nd grade - she sadly sad she would be sticking with 1st grade - but we'll all look forward to waving to her in the hallways and visiting her from time to time. 

So long 1st grade - hello 2nd grade! 

Kayaking...

We've been hitting the lakes around town again this summer - well, Andy and Adam have been hitting the lakes and Harper and I have been walking around them. :)

Adam has learned how to paddle and it's pretty adorable hearing him chant "Left, Right, Left, Right" as they paddle along.

Harper - 9 months!

Another month - another cake - another update! Harper did lots of fun new things between months 8 & 9. For one - he grew!! Boy did he grow! He weighed in at 19.7 pounds at his check-up putting him in the 50th percentile for 9 month olds - not preemie 9 month olds - but actual 9 month olds - wow! Adam was never that high on the growth chart. The doctor's first comment upon entering the room - "What are you eating?!" Well - a lot I guess. :) Needless to say, it was a great check-up with everything looking great and a nice vertical line on the growth chart to boot! 

In other health news, Harper also had his follow-up hearing test which he passed with flying colors - and in fact was even doing things past what they expect of 9 month olds - this kid is on a roll! 

During this month of development he also found himself sitting up without support which has added a nice new element to our play-time routine. We are now doing lots of ball rolling back and forth with each other and just watching him explore his toys from this new perspective. It's fun and boy is he a happy happy baby. 

On the mobility front he was still working on getting those arms up and under him and the knees up and under - in the meantime, the rolling continued to be his preferred mode of transportation. 

With our Disney World trip just a couple weeks out from his 9 month birthday it seemed fitting to mark the occasion with a Mickey Mouse cake - and of course with some photos. 

Here's a side by side of Adam & Harper celebrating the big 9 month mark - note they are wearing the exact same shirt - go Harper go!