My mermaid baby

Summer friends

Bree has really enjoyed playing with other kids this summer. She's had adventures with Willow, Zoey, Alexa, Cole and recently with Hannah and Evan from CO. I've been a proud mama watching her learn to navigate the world and make friends. Bree loves other kids and plays her heart out. Here are some pictures of us playing during J's recent Lilypons show and a pool pic with Cole.

Ohiopyle, Bree's 1st Campout

We headed about 2 hrs away to Ohiopyle State Park in PA this weekend for Bree's 1st outdoor adventure. Bree has no idea where we're headed. Here she is having fun with her dolls in the car. Check out our campsite - it was a primitive site, away from car and bath. Also up a STEEP hill. Getting set up was hot, sweaty and a bit rough, but we're all the tougher for doing it, toddler in tow (or on back).

Gourmet picnic dining

We started with bratwurst with peppers and onions, ate a full breakfast (check out jam and poppy seeds on Bree), had tuna sandwiches, and shrimp quesadillas, all on our new stove. Wish we would have captured the s'mores on film!!

Kentauk Camp, morning dew

Kentauk was really a gorgeous place. Located 1-1/2 hrs south of Pittsburgh, PA. We woke to fog and dew Saturday morning. Bree had to see where Daddy was headed.

The Yough

Saturday after breakfast we decided to go into "town" and check out the Youghigheny River. There were people everywhere, preparing for a day on the river by boat or along it by bike. A true recreational paradise. The falls were huge - Bree ran all over the place and really loved posing for pictures with M&D!

Meadow Run water slide

So we decided on Ohiopyle based on a Google search for water slides and PA. We always head south - to WV, VA or NC and thought north would be an exciting change. The slides were very cool. Would probably not be safe with Bree any other time of year but water flow was low since it's August. There were some 3-4' deep spots and a huge, deep swimming hole at the end. Too bad a local was there fishing. Said he had caught 100 trout in a month there. Probably saved J's life since he was planning to jump in - from a nearby boulder.

River side

Later we hung in the river (just above the falls) and then hiked down below. Here Jason reflects on life Zen style.

Afternoon adventure

Bree was tired after playing in the water all day. So we tried a drive to the Yough Dam to put her to sleep before dinner. It didn't work. She fell asleep about 5 min away from camp on the way back. Here we are deciding it's too hot and lame at the dam.Time to get back in the truck and head back.

The camp by night

OK, so here Bree is mesmorized by fire and glow sticks around 10:30 pm. With flash, without flash. Also a cute one of her asleep. Precious isn't she? The glow sticks saved us on night 2. She had a heck of a time falling asleep the 1st night (think tent, strange noises, mom and dad nearby) so we decided to let darkness and psychedelic light shows try their magic. They did - she was out! By 11pm . . .