we had to get at least one camping trip in this summer! it is our favorite way to vacation, after all.
although ryan had to work on saturday, the sisters and i ventured up to the mountains with finn on friday. i cannot explain how good that mountain air felt.
i had guessed that camping with a two year old would be easier than camping with a still-crawling- almost-one-year-old, like last year...but i was wrong. it was a new kind of fun...but i didn't account for a boy that can now run. he viewed that campground as nothing but FREEDOM!!!! we spent a lot of time chasing that boy. thank goodness for patient, energetic and devoted tantes..
and it was DIRTY!!!
but mostly, it was beautiful...
look! it was so magical, the water even sparkled!
apparently, cheez-its make finn very happy. not that i am surprised. i love me a good cheez-it.
me and my camper.
finn believes these two hung the moon.
picnic tables with red checkered tablecloths and campfires. be still my heart.
abernethy's camp with things like glass lanterns and pretty fruitbowls. you should see how loaded our cars were. it was a spectacle.
this kid preferred to wake at sunup. so we *enjoyed* some early morning walks while the rest of the campground snored away. between yawns, i found it very peaceful.
breakfast of champions.
helping tante em, our resident dishwasher (bless her heart) wash the dishes.
i got a lot of joy out of packing long-sleeved shirts and sweaters for this boy's camping wardrobe.
campfood. and campdrinks. this year, the greyhound found it's place in our hearts.
this next sequence sums up our "camping with a two year old" experience...
1) give him a bit of independence at the faucet... 2) struggle to get him to walk back to our site while holding my hand - and using my mouth to carry something.
3) try to negotiate and explain the importance of holding my hand near the road... and lastly, 4) begin the chase after he escapes.
the "wake-up and emerge from the tent" pictures is famous in our family. it all started when our dad snapped a picture of four-year old rachel coming out of the tent with epic bedhead and an even better grumpy expression on her face. you should ask to see it.
and what's camping without a trip to the country store across the street for its-its and popsicles.
it was also smoky. and we played gin rummy while the rascal napped in his stroller. i am terrible at cards. but good for a laugh.
and finally...my knight in shining armor arrived on saturday afternoon!!! we were SO excited to see him...
these two threw rocks in the lake for HOURS. and ryan impressed me again with his rock-skipping skills.
we eat well when we camp. bbq'd pork loin, summer salad, corn on the cob, potato salad...
finn has a new trick.
i brought my camera for our second sunrise walk...
that little pointer finger really does something to me...
more lakeside rock throwing.
i am really soaking up these baby cheeks while they last.
goodbye eskimo kisses.
until next year...so long jenkinson lake. you are so good to us.
