The kids couldn't be more thrilled with this new addition to our camping trip!
This year we stayed at General Butler State Park in Kentucky. The cabin was much smaller than the one we stayed in last year, but we kept it, opting for the huge yard that accompanied it.
Due to sleeping babies, we spent most of our time outside anyway.
I brought my guitar and had so much fun playing for the kids. The freeze dance was a crowd favorite.
Morgan loves sitting on my lap while I play. Luckily I've perfected this position.
Aunt Julie made us a wonderful fire and we set out making the obligatory s'mores.
I love Taylor's raised pinky in this photo. Hey, she may be camping, but she's still a lady!
This is one of my favorite photos, but it's missing our other addition to our camping adventure, Addison. (She was in her mama's belly this time last year!)
This photo cracks me up. This is what happens when I try to get a photo of my three little ones together.
The first night we stayed up late. We told ghost stories, caught lightning bugs, played with glow bracelets (Morgan's favorite), sang songs, and cuddled. I joked that we really only needed four camping chairs, because it seemed every adult had a child on their lap most of the time. But we were lovin' it!
Just like at the lake house, Morgan was going strong even as others grew tired.
The first night involved more snuggling.
Grace was a trooper and was the only one to sleep on the floor that night.
Poor Jessica was up half the night with Addison, but look, she still awoke with a smile on her face.
I hear Aunt Julie and Taylor had some special moments in the wee hours, too.
One of my favorite times when we are camping is when we all gather together for meals. This was our set up for all meals and it worked out great!
After breakfast, we had a fashion show. One by one, we went inside with Grandma to put on our tie dye shirts that we had made as a pre-camping activity. I think they turned out great!
Then we started in on the projects my mom had brought. First up was making beaded bracelets.
Even Morgan got in on the action. Of course she tried to eat a bead and got pretty upset with Aunt Julie when she told her no. (She's still holding a bit of a grudge, but she'll come around!)
Then the girls moved on to making feathered accessories for us to wear.
Next, it was group picture time.
I took a break in the action to capture this gem.
After lunch, Jessica and I took the four big kids to the swimming pool. When lacking pool toys, plastic cups work just fine!
Taylor spent most of her time in the baby pool declaring it 'a better fit for me'. Hopefully that will change after a summer of private swim lessons!
We came home to a special encounter with our neighbor.
Then they greeted Aunt Julie who was enjoying some quiet, prayerful time in the woods.
Next, it was on to another of Grandma's projects- pet rocks! This project evolved into painting two giant rocks.
Aunt Jessica had an idea to place the rocks in the woods and look for them when we come back in the fall.
Finally, it was the time the girls had been waiting for for months. Face painting time! Apparently my mom had purchased face painting kits months ago and swore the girls to secrecy (fearing the moms would veto the idea). I must say, these also turned out great! (The stencils helped quite a bit)
Morgan even stayed still long enough for a butterfly on her leg.
Taylor picked out a guitar and music notes for her mama.
Another favorite aspect of our camping trips is how happy and content the kids are just hanging around the cabin. I know it won't always be like this so I'm treasuring every minute of it!
Of course the boys still snuck in a little electronic time, but we made sure it was limited.
After dinner, it was time for Aunt Jessica's project- tie dye cupcakes!
It involves making a white cake mix, dyeing portions different colors and spooning in different colors into the same cupcake liner.
Here was the finished project.
We did not stay up that late the second night, because the kids' exhaustion was manifesting itself in tears and shouting. So we headed in, gave quick baths and let them watch a movie (both boys fell asleep during it!)
The next morning was pretty relaxed. The kids played games outside while Jessica and I packed and loaded up the cars.
We finished are adventure with a picnic in the park followed by Grandma's prize ceremony and playing on the playground.
As I wrap up this long post about our camping adventure, I find myself smiling. I am just so thrilled that we've managed to establish such a fun tradition. The children look forward to these trips all year round and talk about them for months following. And really, that's why we do it. For them. It's an incredible amount of work for two days, but hearing your child say "this is the best camping trip ever!!!" makes it all worth it.
