Escape to Nature

Emily and I, along with 15 of our closest friends, spent a weekend camping at Camp Cedarledge in Pevley, Missouri. What an adventure!

The weekend before our camping trip sported temperatures in the high 80s with clear blue sky. However, the weekend we camped, the temps were not nearly as warm and the first 20 or so hours, we had intermittent rain. Night temps were in the high 30s. Yikes!

Even given the less than desirable temperatures, our troop had a great time hanging out, singing, exploring the creek, and cooking outside! Here's just a few pictures and captions!

Our camp site - we stayed at Totem Village.

Emily and her tentmates. She was supposed to be in another tent, but those girls went to bed earlier than the others that were around the fire. When Emily went to bed, she was freaked out being the only one awake. We relocated her to another tent.

The tent us adults slept in - ripped sides, tarp on roof:

A nicely renovated tent with a wood roof and nice, non-ripped sides/front/back:

Emily and friend exploring the creek:

My feet getting toasty at the campfire:

Emily ready for bed the second night - two sleeping bags, two blankets, and sleeping in her heavy hooded sweatshirt AND her North Face jacket. She was finally warm!

Our group at the All Camp campfire:

Emily and I hiking in the creek:

Emily and friend exploring the creek - again!

Emily and friends self-portrait:

Random Basketball Pictures

4 years ago

Four years ago, we still lived in Springfield, IL. Here's a look back at what the Kreidler Kids looked like! Both kids have grown so much in 4 years!

At Springfield's Rotary Park:

Last Day of First Grade!

Getting her first Library card!

Lemonade For Sale!

Emily decided to raise money for the Joplin Tornado relief by having a lemonade stand:

Other neighborhood kids helped Emily and when all was said and done, Emily raised $105. Her stand gave away free lemonade, but accepted donations for tornado relief.

The best part? Some of our family members loved what she did and sent her money to add to her donation. $160 dollars raised by our sweet girl! Good job, Emily!

Just for you, Andy Shaffer

Five for Friday:

1. Sorry Andy Shaffer, I'm a negligent blogger. I didn't know anyone actually read the blog still!

2. HOT! It's been hot this week, but the heat didn't stop Adam and I from enjoying the zoo! He enjoyed petting the Sting Rays and Sharks the most:

3. We also went crazy and went to Six Flags! We rode rides that ADAM wanted to ride, even though i talked him into the Screaming Eagle and the River King Mine Train roller coaster. He determined he still DIDN'T like the Screaming Eagle, but the other coaster was ok! It wasn't very high and it was smooth (at least compared to the Eagle).

Adam got a cool Tatoo!

And met Scooby!

4. We've been swimming a lot this week. Adam's a great swimmer - never afraid to dive right in!

5. Emily has been in horse camp. She's loved horses for years. She still loves them even though a horse bucked her off earlier this week, leading to a sore arm/shoulder. Proud of our girl - she got right back on the next day!

Adam Baseball

Adam catching...Adam hitting!

Last day of School - Adam

Last Friday, Adam finished his kindergarten year at Frank P. Tillman Elementary School. North Glendale does not have the room for kindergarten, so the NG kindy kids are bused over to Tillman. While this was somewhat a pain to have two kids at two different elementary schools, Adam loved being at Tillman. We will miss his teacher, Trisha Yettke. She was exactly what Adam needed this past year.

Last Day at the bus stop!

BEST. BUS DRIVER. EVER!!! We will miss Mr. Eric and Bus 5!

After enjoying the North Glendale Talent Show, Paul and I booked it over to Tillman Elementary for the Kindergarten picnic that was held after Tillman's Field Day. We enjoyed talking with other Tillman/NG families and Mrs. Yettke. It's hard to believe that our baby is going to be a first grader. Adam is excited to be at North Glendale next year, but is worried that an older student will bully him! A HUGE thanks goes out to whoever put that thought in his head!