Camping 2011

From Left: Jack, Aniela, Charles, Megan with Zoe, and Katie

Well we got in our camping adventure that we were hoping for! On the weekend of the 15th we headed to Jubilee, a local camp site, with our neighbors. We had camped in the Ungers backyard earlier in the summer. All the kids enjoy playing together so we were glad we could squeeze in the campout. I am proud to say that Zofia beat the Watts record as the youngest tent camper, being only 5 months old. She did great.

Zofia likes camping too...not that she has a choice in the matter

True to form we camped in style in our canvas tent that fit a delux serta queen air matress , the portable crib, and 2 sleeping bags. There was even room for a chair when I needed to feed zoe. I little over the top but nobody ever said we weren't high maintenance campers! We even had an electric heater that kept our tent nice and toasty during the cold nights...a must when camping with an infant.

Along with nice accommodations we had a great time eating. Which is really the highlight of camping. We feasted on campfire hotdogs, hamburgers, egg, cheese and maple sausage breakfast sandwiches, homemade donuts, and my all time favorite...homemade sweet potatoe french fries. Since it gets dark out so quickly we opted for good old fashion s'mores for dessert. Then add some wine, beer, and great company and you have a good ol' time!

Charlie working hard on the breakfast sandwiches

Kids enjoying their homemade donuts

There's nothing like sitting around the campfire waiting for hotdogs

Tipping back a nice cold beer while sitting around the campfire might have the hotdogs beat

Zoe gnawing on Miss Karen's finger since she can't eat

Then to burn off some energy we took a hike with the kids and tried out some geocache sites. For those who don't know, geocaching is like a treasure hunt. People hide a box full of nick nakes, put the coordinates on a geocaching website, and then it is open for anyone to find. You just plug in the coordinates on a GPS and go hunting for it. It is so fun to find the bins. The only rule is that if you take somehting out of the geocache bin you have to replace it with something else. It's nothing fancy, anything from bouncy balls to rocks. We ended up finding 2 out of the 3 geocaches. It really is a fun activity for all ages and something that is found anywhere you go.

Heading into the woods for some Geocaching

We found one!

Jack and Aniela holding hands....good thing the dads weren't looking back!

Aniela shooting the BB gun for the first time

Charles trying it out too. I just love the serious concentration on his face.

The rest of the time the kids spent in the woods. We would hear their voices and call them in when it was time to eat. Then they would disapear again once their bellies were full. To be a kid and romp around in the woods with only your imagination is the best.

Hi ho..hi ho..it's off into the woods we go

Plenty of leaves to jump into

And hedge-apples to play with

Katie and Charles marvel at a fuzzy caterpillar

This is what happens when Charles doesn't take a nap, just got done hiking for 2 hours and has a sugar high. No that is not a potty chair..it's the bumbo.

A little excursion to the lake

Charlie having fun with his little girl

The big kids playing like the little kids

We headed home reaking of bonfire and with dirt under our nails but already looking forward to the following year when we can do it all again!

This is how we all felt when it was time to pack up and go