My amazingly good friend, Kristin, invited us to join her family in a little camping trip.  Work got in the way a teensy bit, as I had to go to some meetings Monday morning, so instead of heading up Sunday afternoon, we went up on Monday after work.  Of course, we got a bit of a late start and didn’t get up there until around 2:00.  The kiddos were so excited when we finally arrived. 

 The kids were not thrilled riding up the canyon without a movie running.  I am trying to keep them away from electronics this summer.  Once we turned off the main road though, and started up the winding dirt road to our campsite, the kiddos immediately noticed the paper plates stapled to fence posts along the way signaling other campers to the way to find their way to family and friends.  My kiddos saw that one of the paper plates said “WAFFLE.”  They LOVED it.  What a creative way to uniquely signal a family event.  The whole way up, ever time we saw a paper plate with that word on it, the kiddos would scream, “WAFFLE!!!!!”  They so desperately wanted to meet that waffle family. 

 Shortly after we arrived, we were followed by Kristin’s parents, her brother and sister in law and their adorable little baby.  They brought the mac daddy of trailers.  What plush camping accommodations.  We’re talking movie for bored kiddos plush.  Although, I think some of the kids enjoyed the back of the truck just as much.

One of the best things about going camping with a group of people is the company that you go with.  I couldn’t have asked for greater people.  Kristen has been there for me every inch of the way.  Her dad used to be my Stake President.  Her mother has been my surrogate mother and has adopted me into their family.  What an amazing group of people.

 The scenery was absolutely amazing.  It was nice to be up out of the smokey and polluted air in the valley.  The sunsets were so spectacularly beautiful.  I don’t know that the kids thought the same thing.  They were so involved in the fire and the wood carving going on around them, that I don’t think that they had a clue that the surroundings were so unique.

 Kris is amazing at camp food.  We had dutch oven cinnamon rolls, homemade ice cream, amazing breakfast, corn on the cob, and her famous crap and cream cheese dip…. now I am wanting to eat again!

 Bear struggled slightly during the trip.  He didn’t handle sleeping out of his comfort zone very well.  He spent most of the night awake and a little scared.  I was glad that we had so many people around that helped him have a better day the next day.  It truly was a tender mercy and a miracle.

 Kyra loved it.  She loved the fact that didn’t have to shower, wash her hair, change her clothes or anything else.  We are going to have a bit of a struggle on our hands when school starts up again.  This girl does not enjoy getting ready in the morning… or any other time of day that is. 

 By dinner time, everybody had the blackest of hands.  Little Ashton had a blast eating every last thing that he could with those seriously black little hands of his.  It was a bit comical to watch.

 Kristin’s parents brought their dog up.  He was more than thrilled to eat left overs and lie in the dirt. 

 And then there is Toad.  He slept like a rock.  He spent the entire next day wandering camp in his pajamas and fighting with me over whether or not shoes were important.  By the time we left Tuesday  evening he was the dirties, stinkiest, happiest little boy that you have ever seen. 

And here is my final picture, just to prove that I was actually there.  I want to make sure that my kiddos see some pictures of me so that when they are older they can remember that I was there!  I did things with them.  I know that I so often get behind the camera that it is hard to get one with me and the kids.  This is the next best thing.

Thank you Kristin for inviting us and letting us tag along.  We sure enjoyed our 36 hour camping trip.