Our First Family Camping Trip

We just returned from our camping trip! There were six adults and six kids, 5 of whom were under the age of 4! Hopefully those campers around us were not out in the wilderness seeking some peace and quiet. If so, they didn't find it! We had a great time. Camping would be serious fun if you didn't have to sleep on the ground. Brian has promised that we'll bring air mattresses on our next adventure. For privacy reasons, I'll call the kids I, K, W, and E. Enjoy the pictures, for they tell the story so much better than I can.

Let's go camping!!!

The car was SO PACKED that camping gear was actually falling on Spence's head. He reminded us of the guy you see driving down the freeway holding the mattress on the roof of his car. I guess that's why serious campers drive trucks, not cute little SUVs.

We chose our perfect spot (close to the toilet) and set up camp. We had reserved a spot, but when we went to check it out found that it was a tiny spot surrounded by RVs that cost more than our house with plasma TVs and satellite dishes set up outside. Brian informed me that was not camping.

Our campsite

The all-important campfire
This is where it all happens: cooking, chatting, s'moresing.

I was so good with all the little ones!

The girls getting breakfast ready
There was a little trial and error with the iron skillet, but it turned out yummy!

This morning we took a walk. The kids loved being out in the woods.

Brian and Spence, and I and K with their Mommy and Daddy

Me, Spence, Travis, Cody, Coleman, I, K and W

Coleman and W "hunting" with their stick guns

Spence checking out the pond

Travis and Cody

The boys and me (dreaming of a hot shower)

Here are some lessons I learned on our first family camping trip:

1. Little boys will drop pants and pee anywhere.
2. It doesn't matter how many pads and blankets you put down. The hard ground is still all you will feel.
3. Cooking eggs in an iron skillet which you've just cooked bacon in is tricky.

Lesson Coleman learned:

1. We did not have his sleeping bag personalized with his name. Coleman is a brand of camping gear. He wanted to know why the stove and K and W's tents said Coleman on them.