Camping

Adam had a couple days off last weekend so we decided to go camping! I almost called it off last minute but I am so glad I didn't. We had a blast! Yes, it was a ton of work and no, we did not sleep great but it was still fun and the night was actually better than I expected. 

Now when I say camping...I mean camping in the very Colorado-ie sense of the word: Free! No RVs! No other people! Free! Everything you need is on your back! No reservations! FREE! Haha! For real though, when I moved to VA I was shocked the first time we had to pay an entrance fee. I guess not everywhere

can be as awesome as BV with free camping in my backyard.  

Rylie did great hiking the almost 2 miles!! We told stories the whole time. I love that she is to the age where she can make up pretty lengthy, hilarious stories. Her legs did "hurt" the entire way and she made sure to interject that about every other step. :-) Kind of reminded me of being on a Noah's trip with intercity kids. Adam said his pack was the second heaviest pack of his life. Makes sense because he was carrying everything except Harper.

We found the PERFECT camp spot. It was behind a sand dune, so we were sheltered from the wind but just beyond the dune was Lake Michigan. It was gorgeous!! The girls loved playing in the sand. This was the first trip Harper was old enough to enjoy. She was thrilled about all of it...the tent, the camel back, s'mores, all of it! Well, except the fire. That was very "scary!". Rylie was a pro and loved teaching Harper everything she needed to know including peeing in the woods.  And let's just say Emma was so thrilled about camping that she wore herself out and slept through almost the whole experience. :-)

We asked the only person we saw to take a family pic for us. I guess Rylie was feeling shy. Can you spot Emma in the picture? ;-)

I had to! I know...she'll hate me for this later but I couldn't help myself!

Have I mentioned that Rylie is the best big sister ever?!

Selfie

Not liking the smoke. 

S'mores!!! They were so happy and SO sticky! 

Morning already?!

Just an idea of how we arranged sleeping. 

Headed home. I get Emma this time. 

I think my favorite part of the trip was sitting with Adam by the fire having a heart to heart while Harper was in the tent announcing every five minutes "I tired guys!" She is such a character!! :-)

All in all a successful camping trip with three youngens.