Camping

Last weekend we took the kids camping for the first time. I'm not really sure how they knew so much about it, but Claire was so excited. She talked about a fire, roasting marshmallows, and sleeping in the tent. She could hardly wait to try that part. We went with our friends the Copelands, and then Chad's brother Trevor came along with is wife Shanna. They are hands down the favorite aunt and uncle (sorry everyone!), so the kids were thrilled that they were there. We roasted hot dogs on Friday night for dinner, and Owen was hysterical! He insisted on doing it himself, but would swing his stick around at random times, almost hitting you. The hot dog got bounced on the ground a few times, and then when Owen thought that it was done, he pulled it off the stick (thank goodness it was still cold), and told a big bite off the end with all the dirt (yummy!). He then handed it to his dad, who had a decoy (fully cooked, not dirty) hot dog ready. He was the same with the marshmallows except he was always waving them around when they were on fire so you could blow it out. He roasted at least 10 marshmallows and didn't eat any of them. At least he had fun!

Claire loved camping too! She enjoyed sleeping in the tent, and made me go in there quite a few times before she was actually ready for bed. On Saturday Shanna took them on a walk, and she came back with a ton of wild flowers. She then spent at least an hour arranging them, and picking more. She was very proud of her creation and held it all the way home, even while she was sleeping.

Chad spent all morning Saturday getting wood. We need it to heat our downstairs. We left about 2:00, and headed home. We had a good time, but it was time to go home. We all needed baths and a nap! I was just ready to not have to sit in a chair that was hard to get out of. Those camping chairs made me feel very pregnant!!!
I should have taken a before and after shot of this kid. By the time we left (after many attempts with a wet paper towel), he was still so dirty!! I guess that means he had lots of fun.
Claire was so ready to leave - all I heard all day was "when are we going to sleep in the tent?"
We've only used our tent once before, so everyone laughed when we got the instructions out!
Owen and Claire were so excited to sleep in the tent, and they actually slept quite well!
Ashlyn, Kylie and Kamri - it was so nice to have other kids around

Can we say scary!!!

Aunt Shanna and Uncle Trevor
Owen ready to catch butterflies
Owen, Chad and Uncle Trevor - they were trying to teach Owen a new way to wear his hat, but he wasn't buying it!