Camping 2

So this summer Richelle and I decided to take the kids camping. Since she had never been tent camping, neither of us had taken kids camping and neither of us really knew any good campgrounds close to home we planned two one night trips to test the waters and if all went well would plan a couple longer trips next year.

Our first test run was two weeks ago a state park called Lake Easton. I have no pictures of that trip because Matthew rearranged my apps on my phone and I couldn't find the camera. It went fairly well although there were a series of "errors": had to change cars at the last minute because hers was too small for all our crap, Matthew threw up on himself just as we arrived at the park, I left my wallet at the restaurant where we stopped for lunch, the campground was literally right off the freeway and there was a LOT of freeway noise, it rained buckets the next morning and we had to pack up and head home in a hurry.

Trip number two was just this past weekend at Millersylvania about an hour drive south of Renton.

There was a small but nice beach on a small but shallow and fairly warm lake.

Lilly playing and Richelle taking a float break.

The kids playing nicely together, look quick because it never lasts for long.

Our campsite. It was big and clean and there were only people on one side of us so it was also pretty private.

Chaseing bubbles through the forest.

Oo, there they are playing nicely again.

Richelle and the awesome fire she built. I tell ya, this lady is an expert fire maker.

Matthew's marshmallow roasting technique:

1. get marshmallow on the stick ready for the fire

2. Shove it right in the flames until it is a ball of fire.

3. Drop the stick and run.

A good morning hug on day number two.

Variety pack of little boxes of cereal were a hit all around. Notice the parent in the middle, key to having a battle free meal.

Matthew after he fell off the picnic table bench. I was surprised it took as long as it did for him to fall off considering how much farting around he does when he is supposed to be sitting still. No blood just a face full of dirt.

After breakfast, we decided to check out a trail that Richelle had gotten a glimpse of the day before. We got coffee and the kids got ring pops. It was absolutely silent for about 15 minutes while they sucked on those things. Next time we are going to buy an entire box.

The boardwalk through the marsh.

Whoops, almost got the picture before someone crashed.

There we go, not everyone is looking at the camera but at least we are all upright.

Matthew dilly dallying along the trail.

In the end, the trail was pretty long and we ended up carrying both the kids part of the way. Too bad Matthew is still mastering the art of riding on shoulders.

All in all this trip went much better than the first. Better park, better weather, the kids were better about sleeping in the tents and behaving appropriately while camping. I am looking forward to next year!