Happy Campers

I took the kids camping this week. It was kind of a spur of the moment thing and while we planned on going for two nights, it ended up being just one because we had a big thunder storm come through on Thursday afternoon. We found a place only an hour from here that was really nice and not terrible crowded. Bonus points for not spotting a Wawa or Dunkin Donuts through the trees! Seriously. Camping around here is....different. But this place? It was a winner. My friend Michelle camped next to us with her three boys.

Here is our campsite as we found it (well, beside the camp chairs). We picked a spot near the ravine, because it seemed like the place to be. 

After we set up camp. I realized while setting up the tent that I have camping in my blood. I set that bad boy up without a hitch. I briefly considered measuring out toothpaste into some small container (a la Dad) but then I forgot the toothpaste all together. Considering the only thing I forgot was tooth brushing paraphernalia, I was pretty pleased. 

The kids helped scavenge firewood from vacant campsites. Someone left a nice pile of wood and we liberated it, which really sounds like stealing but it wasn't.

The kids all begged for turns taking pictures. 

Katie's turn

Tyler's turn

Tyler walking Sam down the path so Sam wouldn't fall. It was really steep, which basically means this picture should be titled "The Blind Leading The Blind"

James very proud of the fire he helped with

He found a stick which resembled an antler so he could roast marshmallows and hot dogs at the same time. It wasn't terribly practical. 

The fire: you can just call me Survival Woman. My show will air on Friday right between Man Vs. Wild and Dual Survivor. It's gonna be a hit. P.S. The foil pouch is a banana s'more...muy bien! 

Jeff came up after work and joined us

We went down the ravine to the creek (I say ravine, because it was steep and rather deep particularly for anything I've seen in PA...almost reminded me of a mountain stream in Colorado, except the water wasn't 46 degrees)

Katie and Isaac hopping rocks

Tohickon Creek

Jeff took this lovely picture

The kids found pool of water just off the creek and spotted a frog. James basically dove around in the pool after the frog until he caught it. Poor thing didn't stand a chance. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. 

Everyone wanted a turn holding the frog. Again, I repeat: poor thing! He got some seriously lovin' before we let it go. Word on the stream has it the frog has developed a nervous twitch after his encounter with my kids.

As for the rest of the trip, we went swimming, explored in the woods, caught a toad, roasted hot dogs, ate copious amounts of marshmallows, and didn't brush our teeth. We even roasted hot dogs and marshmallows for breakfast because, well, we felt like. It went well with our oatmeal. We boiled the suspicious camp water and then strained it through a napkin after it collected ash and a few large bugs. It made a lovely cup o' tea. I happened to be the first one up and got to witness Tyler waking up. He put his head up and looked around. When he realized that we were still camping, in a tent, he got the biggest grin on his face. Then he looked at me and smiled even bigger. You could just tell he was a happy camper. Literally. There was also another sweet moment when James asked me if I would spend some 'special time' with him. He wanted for us to go off and sit on his favorite 'cliff' together as the sun was going down. He brought his Bible and read to me about David and his songs. He finished by reading the 23rd Psalm (paraphrased for The Jesus Storybook Bible). This was the last part: 

He fills my heart so full of happiness.

I can't hold it all inside.

Wherever I go I know

God's Never Stopping

Never Giving Up

Unbreaking

Always and Forever Love 

Will go, too!

Special time, indeed! I love that kid!