Both the Germeroth's and the Bridges' took family camping vacations. My family (Bridges) would go to various State parks around SC and NC and we always slept in tents near our car, or at least within walking distance. We didn't always stay where bathrooms/outhouses were and if we did, we didn't use them because I remember how "cool" it was to dig a hole in the ground like our cats at home. Then I went to Girl Scouts and went backpack camping and carried on that desired style of camping into college. John, as I understand it, grew up camping in tents near a car as well, but also had a pop-up camper. Now that was ultimate camping luxury in my child's eye. (emphasis on "camping" as an adjective there; my idea of luxury was always changing) Although it sounds like John and I had similar family camping experiences, it was actually quite different: Germeroth camping was strictly organized and Bridges camping was more, um, hodge-podge...comparatively, anyway. All Germeroth camping equipment was neatly folded, strung together and tied the same way when unpacked from Rubbermaid storage bins. All Bridges equipment was packed in a cardboard box from a section (or two) of the garage and unpacked at the campsite as necessary. So when we picked up the mini-van we also stopped by the Germeroth's storage unit and gathered equipment... all neatly packed and ready to go!
John chose to cook 90% of our meals... he is so good to me!
We spent each day reading, cooking, talking and relaxing. It truly was a vacation. And the weather was absolutely perfect... I got chilly at night and John was just fine!
Finally! Since Friday, (13 days until Joel's due date) I finally have a pair of pants I love! And Lord willing, we'll be having other children, so we don't mind having bought these for the last few days. Since I'm carrying so low, all of my other pants roll down and press on my bladder even more than Joel is doing from the inside. I loved them so much I wore them out of the store. Besides comfort, the great thing about the super belly band is that it's "nude" and people don't notice I'm pregnant... John says... no, that it doesn't show under my tops. It definitely shows that I'm pregnant... tonight the clerk at Wal-Mart asked if I "got twins in there?"
Both the Germeroth's and the Bridges' took family camping vacations. My family (Bridges) would go to various State parks around SC and NC and we always slept in tents near our car, or at least within walking distance. We didn't always stay where bathrooms/outhouses were and if we did, we didn't use them because I remember how "cool" it was to dig a hole in the ground like our cats at home. Then I went to Girl Scouts and went backpack camping and carried on that desired style of camping into college. John, as I understand it, grew up camping in tents near a car as well, but also had a pop-up camper. Now that was ultimate camping luxury in my child's eye. (emphasis on "camping" as an adjective there; my idea of luxury was always changing) Although it sounds like John and I had similar family camping experiences, it was actually quite different: Germeroth camping was strictly organized and Bridges camping was more, um, hodge-podge...comparatively, anyway. All Germeroth camping equipment was neatly folded, strung together and tied the same way when unpacked from Rubbermaid storage bins. All Bridges equipment was packed in a cardboard box from a section (or two) of the garage and unpacked at the campsite as necessary. So when we picked up the mini-van we also stopped by the Germeroth's storage unit and gathered equipment... all neatly packed and ready to go!
Don't be jealous... this is the new Germeroth ride! Auf Wiedersehen to the Volkswagen Bug... the bucket seats just weren't going to allow easy baby seat transfers. After having graciously been given the title of the Bug from my parents, Chad and Lisa Parker (John's sister) bought a flashy new Suburban and offered us the title to this amazing mini-van! I had imagined John taking over the Bug and me driving the Nissan Altima, but, really, what's a mom without a mini-van? SO... here you have it. Since June 19th we have driven the big eggplant. (So in this photo I was 24 weeks pregnant) We are quite grateful for all of the generosity from our families.
