Camping!

The weekend after my mom went home, we went CAMPING!

We got a place together with two other couples and their babies. 

J, C, and I got to the campsite at about 7 (when we all planned on getting there) and set up our tent. 

 The other two couples were caravanning their way to us, so we didn't expect it to take too long. They got there at 9… So J worked on making a fire (one couple was bringing the firewood) and C and I found wood for him. When the fire was barely going, they all got there! Yay!

This is J setting up the telescope he borrowed. There were so many trees and such a bright moon that we couldn't see much especially since the telescope moved tons with the slightest touch.

Best part of this picture? The fact that he could see what he was doing and decided to make that face… goober.

The site was lovely! Lots and lots of pretty pines, a lake wayyy out there past the trees, and some pretty foliage.

The night was…. interesting… We bought C a sleeping bag for him to grow into. We had him sleep in it in his crib for a few days before the camping trip, which helped a little so he wouldn't be scared. Then I brought tons of other blankets, the cushion from our play pen, and lots of layers for pj's.

I had expected to put him down when it got dark enough. That was at about 10. (worst part of the north is late sunset in summer…) 

I put him in his bed and tried to walk away, but by the time I had walked 20 feet, he was at the tent door crying.

So I went back in, laid him down, and laid with him singing and humming. He was lulled to sleep about 30 minutes later, and I was able to sneak out.

When we got to bed at about 12:30/1, he then woke up about 5 times between that and 6 am when he decided it was time to wake up.

Ugh….

But hey, I expected the worst, so at least he didn't ruin my expectations!

Since I was the first Mom up, I got our breakfast going. We made a casserole concoction with hash browns, bacon ends, eggs, and seasonings with cheese, of course. :)

It was really yummy. 

This was our campsite view that morning. So beautiful.

Miriam, Andrew, and Salem.

Amanda, Brady, and Tessley.

Our three tents

We hung out, played games, had breakfast, cleaned up, and packed up to leave before lunch. We weren't staying there Saturday night since it's 2 hours away from home, so we headed out. This is the pretty lake. We had plans to find a park across the way to eat our hoagie sandwiches at and play.

My very tired boy fell asleep about 2 seconds onto the dirt road… :)

We found a cute park across the way and on our way home where we had lunch, let the kids play, and rested our aching bodies. :)

It was a fantastic experience. I loved it. We had taught C to point to my tummy when we asked him where the baby is, so that's how we told our friends that night. 

We drove the 2 hours home, unpacked, and showered. C got a nice little bath.

He went to bed on time and then J went to play a long game with Brady and Andrew… So at 9:45, I went to bed. The picture below is what it looked like when I decided I was too tired to stay up any longer. haha!

I'd say we need to do it again, which we do, but I don't think it's happening until after the next baby… which will be an entirely new adventure!! :)