When we were shopping at REI for “summer fun” we kind of had two categories of “family fun” we shopped for. The first was me and Anneliese and our bike… we got Nutcase bike helmets, a floor bike tire pump, an “I <3 my bike” bell (haven’t put it on yet), a Planet Bike tire patch kit, a kleen kanteen sport top for Anneliese (to use with her gDiaper kleen kanteen), and probably a couple other things I’m forgetting. Our shopping trip was so much fun, and Sean showed us all sorts of great things we could use to have fun together. Even after he finished showing us around, we were in the store for another hour making our decisions.
The other category of shopping was for my husband…all sorts of “fun” things… a REI Classic x-large duffle bag for him to pack for his deployment in, and some survival gear – a camelbak bladder to sew into his gear, and some other little things. It would be awesome if we could do family activities with all 3 (4 sort of) of us this summer, but that’ll have to wait a little while.
We did take a family bike ride with all 3 of us before my husband had to leave. He was behind the camera though, so I didn’t get any pictures of all of us. We just took a few pictures of me and the baby at the end.
I have to be totally honest… I haven’t been bike riding with Anneliese. I want to. I’ve thought about it. But queasy dizzy nauseated pregnancy-woman doesn’t feel comfortable trying to balance with a baby on a bike right now. So we’ve been walking. Hopefully my nausea/dizziness/queasiness will pass soon and I will feel safer on two wheels.
The other thing is, it’s probably a good idea for us to wait a bit longer so that Anneliese can grow a bit more. Her head was the exact measurement for the smallest size of kid’s helmet, but it still seems big to me (see how it slipped in the picture above? It’s on the tightest setting). So I feel like we should wait until her helmet fits properly anyway.
I’m definitely looking forward to some great bike rides with Anneliese when the pregnancy stuff lets up a bit, and continuing into the cooler weather this fall, now that REI completed our cycling gear so that we have everything we need.
Do you want to win $100 to REI?? (CLOSED)
What outdoor activity do you pledge to do with your family this summer and how would a $100 REI gift card help you get there? Take the REI Outdoor Pledge and submit your comment to be entered.
Hi! I'm Emily. I'm a Navy wife and stay at home mom of two beautiful children. I cook simple, delicious, grain-free recipes, do crafts, decorate my home on a budget, and keep a happy household. I tandem breastfeed, babywear, cloth diaper, practice elimination communication, homebirth, and co-sleep, but I'm not a hippie.
We’re camping on Lake Erie this fall with our two girls and with friends. We’ve had a rough few months (husband’s health issues) so we’re looking forward to getting back to nature and trying to do it frugally.
We love the REI store because all the staff are so knowledgable and helpful. A $100 gift certificate would help us buy locks for our bikes.
I would love to get a nice tent and go camping!!
Camping holds fond memories for me of smore making, hot dogs, marshmellows, bears, racoons, the camp fire stories, singing and so much more. My parents even had a special camp mobile. Those were the days!!!
I’ve never been tent camping, just cabins (some quite spartan). I’m willing to give tent camping a go. We love hiking and grilling out, so I’m thinking this is the next step.
I tweeted about the giveaway
http://twitter.com/abitnerdy/status/117801600256446464
I pledge to go hiking with the family and biking with the significant other, and would love to get some proper hiking shoes or put the money towards a new bike for the significant other
Thank you for the opportunity!
I have never been to camping at all. Always busy working; never had two days off. I want to go camping in the future and would love to have 100 bucks to start off.
Looking forward to hiking during our New England fall foliage season! And we could stand to upgrade our sleeping bags since I ripped one last time I washed them…
We need a camping stove so we can go camping without other families who do the cooking:/
I would use the REI GC to get our bikes back into shape!
Would love to win, could use some more equipment for cooking over the fire. Love the outdoors and camping!
My husband and I don’t camp much. We do like to hike (but we don’t really do that too much either).
I would love to get a pair of boots from REI…we both hike in our tennis shoes.
Well, because summer is almost over where we are… I might actually use it to get a jogging stroller (so both baby and mommy could enjoy the great outdoors) or a snowsuit for our toddler this winter! Thanks for the chance!!
We have a new bike rider in our family so a new bike from REI would be spiffy. Thanks!
Awesome! We just had our first baby and are trying to outfit a bike with a child seat so we can go riding as a family.
I loved going on the camping trip vicariously with your family….so many memories for me with my children years ago. Your family looked like it had such a happy time.
We’d like to try camping, but it’s intimidating with a baby. We’ll at least take some long hikes. If we had the supplies, we might try backyard camping first to test it out
I grew up going to/working at a Girl Scout resident camp. I volunteered as a counselor for one week this summer, which made my 14th summer at St Albans. The things I learned there and the people I met truly shaped my life.
I am of the firm belief that the family of your choosing can be just as (sometimes more) important than the family you were given. My fellow camp counselors are my family. Right now a lot of the group is going to college, graduating from college, getting ‘real world’ jobs, getting engaged, married, moving away or having babies (or some combination!). We’ve talked for a long time about getting a staff backpacking trip together, but since we can’t use the camp’s property, we wouldn’t have enough supplies.
It would be great to get some time to regroup together and remind ourselves what’s really important.
Leaving for West Virginia for a camping trip next month!
This gift-card would be perfect to buy some new gear for that trip.
We enjoy hiking. We don’t enjoy camping so much. I would use an REI gift card on hiking boots for my husband. We got some for me on sale last year, but he only has hiking sandals right now.
I could use it to buy a beautiful tent for camping.
Thank you.
Summer is over in these parts – I could see my breath this morning, it is MUCH cooler now. I would love to buy a pair of cross country skis!
I’d love some REI money for a good tent! We’re going for a holiday in the Adirondacks and will be doing some hiking there!
My husband and I love to go trail running together. Sometimes those turn into brisk hikes if we aren’t feeling too ambitious. A REI Gift Certificate would definitely come in handy for loading up on some fall running equipment.
I think I have only ever been camping once when I was really little. My daughter has been asking to go camping, but of course we have no supplies. I would love to give it a shot sometime!
We are HUGE REI fans! Hiking, biking, kayaking, and camping all are regularly on the agenda. And we always seem to add something, so a gift card would be most welcome!
We hike, bike and camp all the time. My husband wants a canoe but I would love a kayak. Maybe REI will help us out!
I also linked this on my blog
I tweeted (tracyrunning)
tracyrunning Tracy Machen
Joyful Abode Rei Giveaway whaddaya waiting for- http://www.joyfulabode.com/2011/09/07/bike-riding-reiand-100-giveaway/
We want to start canoeing with our children, but haven’t done so since before they were born, so some new rashgards and life jackets are in order! Can’t think of a better place to get them from than REI!
This would sure come in handy this fall for camping! Thanks for the chance to win.
Hubby and I have talked about going camping, but the budget is so tight is squeaks even when just talking about it! LOL! This gift card would be the way to get things together and have a great time outiside!
I grew up in a pretty die-hard camping family and I was lucky enough to marry a camper too. It’s kind of funny actually, although my husband and I grew up in completely different states, we went to many of the same campgrounds/parks growing up. We’re planning a camping trip to celebrate our first anniversary this fall =).
I’m the same – my family grew up camping, but we’ve only taken our kids camping a handful of times. We’re hopefully planning another trip next month. =)
I would love to do a fall camping trip, but we are lacking in a few key articles! Like you, I camped a LOT when I was a kid, with my parents. We even camped in the back yard some times! It would be fun to get out there and explore!
Last fall we hiked in the Hoosier National Forests and this summer in Colorado near Rocky Mountain National Park. My hiking shoes are worn and I would love to replace them. A gift certificate from REI would be most welcomed.
My kids love the outdoors. We try to swim or bike every other day. Can’t imagine life without the outdoors!
Blessings,
lana
your daughter is adorable! And yea – I couldn’t imagine biking in the first trimester with all the nausea either!
My husband and I want to bike with our kids. One day.
We go camping several times per year…Labor Day weekend is actually our big extended family camping trip that we take annually. I too, at 28, am getting too old to sleep on the ground! Need a new air mattress (ours always seem to get holes). Our daughters, 4, 3, and 1, love camping…especially the s’mores
We recently bought our son’s bike helmet from REI and it has been great! I’d love to get him a kid sized sleeping bag so we can practice camping in the back yard before taking him (3) on an overnight trip to a campground.
we love to camp and could use some new sleeping bags
tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/erunuevo/status/117200875604291585
Summer is clearly over for us here, but this is perfect roller blading weather and I am dying to get a pair and drag my boyfriend out with me!
We’ve been trying to figure out a time to go camping before it gets too cold out! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I grew up in a camping family, but have never taken my kids! I think marshmallow roasting, stories, and a lake sound just about perfect!
We just found a great state park we visited on Labor Day that we want to camp at! We do have a tent, but know nothing about & have no supplies concerning cooking outdoors!! I would love to visit REI to learn more & use the gift card for cooking gear/cooler/etc.
I am a newly single mom (son is 20 but lives at home going to college and working part-time.) My new frugal budget is headed for my savings account for retirement…a hopefully fun & active retirement. I can’t wait to read more of your posts and this one on camping reminded me I’ve not been camping with family and friends since i was a scout leader for one of my son’s cub scout troop. Weather is great, so I think we will break out our tents soon!
We go camping at least 3 times a year. I grew up camping and so did my wife. Our kids look forward to it so much and it’s a great time to avoid all the technology.
we would love to replace our well worn tent. We took the pledge to go hiking, probably this weekend as the weather is looking great for that!
We tried kayaking this summer and really loved it! This would really help us get started with equipment!