1st Family Campout

Over the Labor Day weekend I decided to be benevolent and ease my family's laborious burdens! Well, we just changed it up a bit. We ventured out on our 1st ever family camp out. The boys have been camping with Spencer, I used to camp with my family all the time, and Spencer has gone several times with the Scouts. We have never all gone together. If anyone tells you that camping is not work, just walk away from them because they are lying to you! I can't even blame the kids for all the labor because they were busy out playing and were very well behaved for the most part (more on that in a minute). Regardless we really enjoyed ourselves. We drove down to Foster Falls which is about 30-40 minutes South of Manchester. It took a bit to actually get on the road, we are trying to resolve ourselves that that is just part of travel.

We didn't get into the campsite until dark so, we had the 'pleasure' of setting up our tents by lantern light. (I know- you are jealous) I wouldn't think to put this part in but...I made my first trek to the glamorous public bathroom. 'That's nice' you are thinking but this was no ordinary trip to no ordinary bathroom. I REALLY had to go, I had tried to put it off in order to help finish with the tents. I waited too long, it seemed awfully far away, I hoped I would make it. I grabbed my flashlight and made my way through the trees and fallen sticks. I heard a noise to my left, 'OK, don't freak! You are working yourself up.' I thought. Then it happened again - this time definitely not in my overactive imagination! Lo and behold a not so little snake slithered right across the trail directly in front of me. I screamed! I just about peed myself! And so started our happy, happy fun time.

Later that night Caitlyn had a doozy of a fit when it was discovered that she (and I) had forgotten to pack her any PJ's. Luckily Matt had packed enough for a small army and had an extra pair. Was that problem solved? OH, NO! They were not pink! They were not fuzzy! They were not cozy! She cried and threw an all-out tizzy! I just about packed us back up and took her home. Either from exhaustion or cajoling she finally relented and wore Matt's Iron Man pajamas. They fit two of her requirements. They were fuzzy and cozy. They were red, not pink.

The next day we hiked down to Foster Falls, that is one steep trail. Even in my 'better body' days I was not a fast hiker. I took forever and the way back I swear my heart was going to pop right out of my chest and plop in the dirt. The kids took no time in asking if they could get in the lake? pond? whatever it was. What started as 'feet only' soon became full on swimming in their clothes. I don't know about anyone else but wet jeans are on the top of my detest list. Glad it was them and not me!

Sunday we broke the Sabbath wide open and set a horrible example for our children and anyone else that saw us that day. We took the kids fishing. This was also a first for them. 3 children under 9 with sharp objects on a long pole. That was a real test in patience. I failed miserably. I ended up in a time out in the van by myself. After awhile we saw a horse that was coming down the way towards us. Now it was Caitlyn's turn to pee herself! She was so excited! They came right over to us and asked if she could ride. I had to decline, the horse was very tall and she was pretty happy just petting her nose and being near a horse. Then we saw a 4 wheeler coming down the road and Ben thought it looked like a girl in his class. We told him it probably wasn't. Sure enough it was. She and her cousins (the girls on the horse) were visiting their grandpa, he lives just outside the lake. The kids got to ride the 4 wheeler and Ben even got a chance to drive. Spencer even caught a fish! It was a small mouth bass. He is 'hooked' on a new hobby now!

On Monday we broke camp and headed back over to the lake to take our friends boat out and let the kids swim. Breaking camp took quite a while. We and our friends had a lot of stuff to haul around. We literally barely had room for the kids! I really wish I had gotten a picture. Well, sardines in a can would be close! By the time we got to the lake and got the boat in we had a huge storm. No swimming for my little monkeys! We decided to hang out awhile and see if it let up. It was really beautiful after the rain because mist was rising up over the water. Spencer took the kids around the lake in the boat and then we headed home.

Those are just the highlights of the trip. We had fun being outside, making s'mores around the campfire, and just getting to talk with friends after the kids were put to bed. Thanks for inviting us to go with you. We had a great time and the kids are anxious to go again, in fact the following Tuesday when I picked the boys up from school Matt asked if we were on our way to go fishing! Yes, son, we will go fishing and camping again soon, just let me finish all this laundry first.


(check for pictures later)