We came, we camped, we ate, we played

We had one last final fling before school started...camping!!  We didn't get to do as much camping as we would have liked to this summer so we packed up for labor day weekend and headed out to a new campground we'd never been to by the Clackamas river.  It was so beautiful, and the weather was pretty much perfect the whole time. 

We left on Thursday (the kids and I) to make sure we could get a spot because it was first come first serve, and then Michele was going to bring up the trailer that evening after he got off work.  So, we had a few hours with just the things we brought in the van to do while we waited for the trailer to arrive.  Here is what we did while waiting for the trailer:

Aric riding around on his rocket, and he had his little bike and dump truck to push around too!  Yes, we did have a handicap accessible spot (as you can see in the picture).  The difference was that the fire pit was higher and the table had an extension, and we were right across from the bathrooms, yes!!

Aaron rode around on his new BMX bike.  He can really fly on that thing.

We were definitely a little silly while waiting for the trailer.

We looked at and admired the sky a lot.  It was so beautiful, and the perfect temp once the sun went down behind the trees, thankfully.

We took a break from waiting and went to the nearest bookstore to get some reading material (wasn't too far from the city), and April picked up one of these new American girl books.  She read this almost the entire camping trip.

We had a nice picnic blanket to lay on while waiting.  I laid it out in the grassy area by our spot and it was a nice place to just lay and look up at the sky or read, and defintely a great place to lay together and laugh.  I just love this picture, it really shows how happy we were just hanging out and looking forward to a fun weekend together as a family.

I didn't get any pictures, but finally the trailer arrived at around 8pm, so we got set up and ready for bed.  We were too tired that night to even do a fire or anything.  The next day was just me and the kids again while Daddy went to work, but then he came to join us after work on Friday and we just had a great time all weekend being together.

On Friday...

We had a pretty perfect day.  We played in the morning around the trailer.  These are some of the trailer toys that just stay in the trailer so the boys are always excited to see them.  Of course, Aric could play with cars all day any day.

When it got hot out we LOVED being able to just go into the trailer and turn on the air conditioner to have lunch and escape from the heat a little.  We played games, colored, read books, and exhausted all the new goodies that I brought along.  Next time I'll have to pack more goodies.  I like this picture, isn't such a nice cozy little place?

Then, when it was cooler we played and rode bikes outside some more.  Here's Aric kicking a beach ball around the grassy area.

Here's our trailer.  The towels hanging outside are from when we went to the river to take a little dip.  It was cold but very refreshing.

More kicking of the ball.  I must have taken a picture of the trailer in between ball kicks, lol.

Aaron is off again on his bike.  We were looking forward to Daddy arriving in the next few hours.

April really liked playing Rummikub.  Now that she has the easy Disney Rummikub down she wants to try out the real game here at home.  This is one of the trailer games that I just leave in there.

On Saturday...

Watermelon was definitely a big hit.  We finally got out all the good food now that Daddy was around.

I was afraid this guy was going to make his tummy hurt with how much he ate.  More watermelon.

This was our dinner one night.  Hmmm, something is odd about this picture, what could it be?  Daddy was experimenting.

Finally, we got to have a campfire.  Just sitting around enjoying the fire.

Just the boys.

We broke out the s'mores for dessert.

On Sunday...

We camped close enough so that we could still go back home for church, so we had a nice morning walk, and then for lunch we had grilled cheese in our "restaurant" baskets complete with liners.  April had fun taking the "orders" out to each person.  Then we got dressed and drove home for church.

Everyone liked their baskets.

This table centerpiece is the Queen Anne's Lace that Aaron picked for me on our little walk that morning.  I thought it was so cute that he wanted to put it in water for me.  He thought it was so pretty.

And, that was the last picture.  I think I forgot to pick up the camera on Monday because that's the day that April and I headed back home to get ready for school.  Aaron and Daddy stayed for another night until Tuesday.  They had a good time together.  It was such a nice weekend.  I'm so glad we made it happen!