Camping - Trial Run

We went camping with some friends this past weekend.  Believe it or not, this was not only Rosie's first camping trip, but Vanna's as well.  Does that make us bad parents - the fact that we have not been camping in 4 years!?  We finally put it in the books, made it happen, and had a great time.  It proved a good trial run for us - we have a camping family reunion coming up next week and I think we were reminded of a couple things we need to remember about camping:

1) Everything is an adventure when you're camping!

On their way to check out the river!

Couldn't believe how brave Vanna was to climb up to this tree stand.  Made me a bit nervous!

 2) When it's 100 degrees outside, it's hard to enjoy the fire...and there is no need for sleeping bags!

Cash is a little pyro!

3) You can't leave chocolate laying around just anywhere. :)  I had just set out all the s'more ingredients on the table and then turned around to see that one of our friend's kids had already snatched an entire chocolate candy bar, eating it without grahm crackers or marshmallows, lounging in his chair completely satisfied with his find!

Remember tin foil dinners? Gotta' love 'em!

4) Don't forget the pillows!  Of course I remembered to bring along the kids' pillow pets, their favorite blankets, etc., but I forgot my pillow and Ty's pillow.  Needless to say, we got even less sleep than you normally would on a camping trip - and you all know that's not much. :)

5) Dirt is the new sand (the kids were building dirt castles)!

6) The only real way to get cleaned up after camping is to get hosed down!

...and finally...

7) Camping is fun and full of memories!!!

LOVE this picture!