Jump!

It just so happens that right behind our camp site was a HUGE jumping pillow.  Think trampoline dressed up as a giant pillow.  So while Adam napped...we jumped. 

Santa?!

After a tasty breakfast of sausage and pumpkin pancakes we hopped in the car for an early morning visit to the Yankee Candle store.  This isn't just any Yankee Candle store, this is a mammoth candle wonderland with an entire section devoted to Christmas, 365 days of the year.  So yes, this was on my list of "must do's" during our camping trip.  Little did I know we were about to find ourselves in the middle of an all out Christmas block party!

The Christmas carols were blasting over loud speakers, everyone was wearing Santa hats or the lovely foam antler ear hats that they were passing out, and I felt like I was right where I belonged!  Adam and I danced and sang "Jingle Bells" and before we knew it, Santa and Mrs. Claus were riding down the street in their horse drawn sleigh.  AH-MAZING! 

I'm certain I didn't stop smiling all day...

The Family and the Camper...

I must say when Andy rents a camper...he really rents a camper.  This was truly a house on wheels and with my personal touches (pumpkins, scented candles and sweet cinnamon pumpkin hand soap) it was the perfect place to spend a weekend in the multi-colored woods. 

To say that Adam was excited about the prospect of spending a weekend in a camper was an understatement.  In fact, the word ecstatic wouldn't even come close to describing it.  Have I mentioned the brain washing that's been taking place since Adam was likely only the size of pea??  Adam was all about investigating every inch of the camper and when it came time to helping Daddy, he was right there willing to lend a hand. 

Liddy on the other hand was all about the fresh air, and of course the sticks.  For those of you that don't camp (I'm talking to you Mom and Dad) there are a lot of sticks in the woods.  This makes for a very happy Liddy. 

We sat by the fire and told campfire stories...did you hear the one about the baby that came out of the womb chanting "camper camper camper!?" 

We made hand print turkeys and played with stamps and stickers (you didn't think I'd leave my Martha side at home did you?)

To be honest, I think I could get used to this...

The Princess (ha) and the Camper...

It's no surprise to those that know us that one of Andy's goals in life is to one day own a camper.  He grew up with a camper and has wonderful memories of camping trips and Christmases spent amidst the woods.  Meanwhile, those that know me well know that I'm still learning how to spell the word "camper" having learned at an early age how to quickly spell the words "hotel reservation." 

Alas, our two worlds have collided and I'm nothing if not open to new things (ok...my family can stop laughing now) so I've recently become more open to the discussion of bringing a camper into our lives.  It's important to note that Andy deserves major props for having planted the seed early with Adam, to the point that my sweet two year old is now pointing out, and with glee I might add, campers on the road every time he sees them (well played Andy, well played.) 

We've had two great camper experiences with our trips to Blacksburg, but Andy was ready for Adam and I to experience a real camping trip so with the (again, well played) bribe of a trip to Williamsburg (one of my favorite places) I was on board and thus our family camping trip commenced. 

(Did I mention Andy is very persuasive?) ;)

Our little train conductor...

We were missing a hat and train whistle, but I think he was still the cutest little train conductor...

He even got to trick-or-treat for the first time, getting candy from our neighbors to the left and our neighbors to the right. 

He then spent the rest of the evening stealing all of our candy.

A Happy Halloween indeed!

Halloween Party

I'm not sure anyone does Halloween as well as Greg and Erica, so when we got the invite to come over for a little Halloween party we quickly said YES!

Even though Erica had an amazing menu lined up, I felt I needed to provide something, so I experimented with my bundt pan (only used once since our wedding) and made a pumpkin spice bundt cake with pumpkin buttercream frosting.  Inspiration found here: http://sugarcrafter.net/2009/10/27/pumpkin-bundt-cake/

(I was so happy that the cake came OUT of my intricate bundt pan and look forward to using it more often now that I know the secret---use cake recipes that call for butter!)

 As per usual, Greg and Erica had the house decked out in Halloween swag.  Their best decoration was of course their sweet pumpkin Blake.  She was certainly the cutest pumpkin I've ever seen! 

As an activity, Erica had a mini-caramel apple making station set up.  This was a HUGE hit with Adam.  He loved dipping the apples in caramel, and then adding chocolate chips.  Such a clever idea!

 It was a great party and our little train conductor couldn't stop talking about Blake the pumpkin!  :)

Our beautiful campus...

After the game, Andy and I couldn't help but take a walk around the campus.  I know I've said this before, but Tech really has such an amazing campus. 

We walked around a reminisced about study dates in the "bridge,"

...we joked about Chris Neck's Intro to Management course and other classes we took in McBryde 100,

we thought about the millions of times we trapsed across the drill field,

and the walks we took around the duck pond,

and of course the many hours and nights spent in Pamplin with the fraternity. 

What a great campus that was the back drop for what has now becomming a wonderful marriage.

XOXOXO Va. Tech!