My dear friend, Cami, is one of the most versatile people that I know. She can do anything. I am extremely lucky to have her as a friend! She not only is an amazing chef (check out her link to Gluten Free Shortcuts on my sidebar,) but she is the most outdoorsy, athletic woman I know!

She and her family were so kind to invite us to go camping with them and a bunch of their friends. Cami also knows that I haven’t camped in YEARS! I mean decades. However, since I am enjoying this new life of mine, I think is a great time to start trying new things. So we heartily accepted their invitation!

To be honest, I was excited. I haven’t gone on a trip, even overnight in almost three years. For me, this was exciting. I kept telling her how thrilled I was. She probably thought that I was nuts because they do this all the time. I need to grow up!

It was great to get all the gear together and to go shopping for the few things that we needed. I was so proud that I packed up the car on my own and that I was going to be doing this. Really. This was my first time taking my little family on an overnight adventure by myself. I need to get into this more 🙂

She is my eternal poser.

Does the name Toad just fit him???



Bear did so well. I thought that his anxiety would get the best of him, but he was a champ!



So, this is about the time that I hit some weird button on my new camera and I almost every shot I got after this point was blurry. I was so bummed. I really need to take a class to figure out how to work this thing.

The site had a little river with a little island in the middle. They had a great time playing down there.







Roasting hot dogs. In retrospect, I should have been helping them cook over a big open flame instead of taking their picture.





The smoke got a little intense, but Bear loved every single second of it.







We saw a moose! Oh, how I wish I had had my camera on the right settings.

Here is everyone watching the moose.

Cami’s little girl. Isn’t she the cutest little girl that you have ever seen?

WE MADE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT! In a little three man tent all snuggled up close together. The kids were warm and cozy and comfy. Me, not so much, but I enjoyed it.

One of the dads there fashioned an ax out of a hatchet head and a tree limb. The boys thought that was amazing!



Toad was in his element. Every family there had a child his age. He hardly has any friends his age, so for him, this was a real treat.

I have to tell you, I had a great time. No, I had a fantastic time 🙂 I came home absolutely relaxed. Can you believe that??? I think that we will be doing more of this next year. I will have to buy a bigger tent though 🙂