first camping trip of the season: SUCCESS

Our first camping trip of the season could have not gone better. Seriously every second was wonderful. Both kids were in their element: the redwoods. The sun was shining, we had a huge camp area complete with stumps to climb on, flowers poking their heads up everywhere, a space for both our tent and Amy's. We had no neighbors, other than the occasional car speeding down highway 84, and some raccoons.

As always C was the best helper. He was very into his job of helping set up the new tent:

After running around setting up camp, we decided to take a hike. Of course Adam's first stop was to inform the children of some crazy bird....and of course the kids listened to every word their super cool dad said.

When you are married to a wonderful person, there are moments where you see or hear something and it just melts your heart. From a distance I heard Adam shout: I found a gnomie homie....the kids raced over and when I came around the corner I saw this:

A gnomie homie!

And if the gnomie homies weren't cool enough for you, look what else adam found... a tree house gnomie homie...in the largest tree at Memorial Park...over 1500 years old!

When we finally found the creek, Charlie received a private lesson from daddy about rock skipping. Adam is the best rock skipper I have ever met, and if you ask him he will give a mini lecture of every rule and type of rock skipping in the universe.

When we got back from our hike we had a fun time with our bubble bears....the only "toy" we brought with us....who needs toys when you can play hide in seek in the woods....or how many pretty white flowers can you pick?

True story. Every hour or so C would announce: I LOVE CAMPING! I NEVER WANT TO LEAVE! THESE TREES ARE SO BEAUTIFUL! After hours of running around he sat down in his very own camping chair and watched the fire come alive. He was the happiest camper I have ever seen.

Then came the roasting. Charlie had his first hot dog ever (veggie, of course) and went on to roast and eat three. Kate knew it was a choking hazard and that I would be nervous so she decided to run around being silly while eating her hotdog, all while coming within an inch of falling into the fire.

We also roasted marshmallows.....

I thought we were well prepared but we forgot warm clothes and flashlights, minor things...poor Kate had only this dress and jeans. After a few faces like this:

She borrowed one of C's jackets we found in the car. This is her cold sign that she continues to use despite her huge vocab.

All this great fun wore those kids out, and by 6:30 they were rubbing their eyes. We said goodnight to Amy, who giggled at the thought of going to sleep hours before it was dark, and packed into our family tent.

I emerged out of this tent at 7:30. Within that hour there was lots of reading, story-telling, laughing and finally sleep.

And early the next morning we roasted bagels. Adam has mastered the "I'll roast a bagel for my daughter while I sleep" skill.....

When the sun finally came up and the world started to wake up...we took another hike....

Charlie found a redwood slide....

And fun areas to explore....

There was more relaxing back at camp after hiking....

And snacks galore....

Amy came along for the fun, and I have to say it was nice having a step-in mom by my side....she really did do all the lifting....

And when it was time to leave Charlie once again lent a helping hand....

It is a good thing this trip was such a success, I have three more camping trips booked, and am ready to make even more.