Family Camping

 

We went camping for the first time since having kids, and it isn't NEARLY as relaxing as it was prior to kids.  I love to sit and soak up God's beautiful creation, take a couple hikes, etc, but that is very hard to do with a 12 month and 36 month old!  We still had a great time though.  My whole family was there as well as Zac's mom, sister, and Curryn.  It worked out well because some of the folks got a cabin that was about 100 yards away so we were able to use that bathroom and store a lot of the food in the fridge.  Paxton also stayed in the cabin - I didn't think he'd do well in a tent quite yet.  Mason absolutely loved it all - the tent, throwing rocks in the water, rafting, hanging out with family, you name it.  Our campsites were right by the water which was perfect because the kids played in the rocks and water a LOT!

Saturday we had eggs, sausage, and muffins.  Then hung out by the fire drinking coffee for an hour or two.  It was a beautiful morning!

 Mid morning we left for our 6 mile rafting trip down the Illinois River.  About 3/4 of a mile into it our boat (with the kids!) ran into a jagged limb in the water and busted!  (see pic below).  It was pretty freaky, but thankfully there was a sandbar nearby that we got to.  Zac and Wes then hiked through the woods to get back to where we started and get a new boat.  I was glad we weren't farther into the trip! 

 Now we're ready!  :)

Present time!  Mason stayed wet most of the weekend.  I need to get this kid in swim lessons.

Mason is showing off his tub of worms.  We took fishing stuff, but the water was moving too fast to fish.  Worked out well for me because I put the worms in my compost pile when we got home.

 

 You can't have a camp out without smores.  I got the enormous marshmallows and they were a bit much!

Sunday Stephanie and Wes made bacon and pancakes before we packed up and headed home.  Definitely came home more tired than when we left, but it was a great weekend with the family!  Look forward to doing it again.