The Great Outdoors

Well, we made it! We really did. We went camping for 5 days and came back all in one piece, without too many problems. We had a great time just relaxing on the beach, as you can see from Maddie's picture!

I will admit, I was wrong. I was. I thought for sure setting up would be much more of a hassle than it was, but I was wrong. We ended up only having 2 mini-altercations about where to set up the tent, and I did end up winning in the end....only because someone left their dog's droppings at the site that Carmen wanted to set up shop. Lucky me, lucky me.

Our tent was busting at the seams with the amount of gear that I packed, the size of our air mattress, and Maddie's pack and play. We had about a 2x2 area where would could stand (if we stood at a 45 degree angle), and giving Madison her binky in the middle of the night proved to be more of a task than one would think. You see, I was elevated with our air mattress being so large, and then I was nervous that I would lose my balance and fall in with her...good thing I only had to find the binky 3 times or so.

On Monday we spent most of our time at the beach. Cole was not afraid of the sand at all, and Kendall had a blast in the water. Maddie and Claire stayed in their baby cabana, while the rest of the clan soaked up some rays. Tuesday it rained all day so we spent time moving Madison across the camp site to keep her dry and also played some Euchre. Carmen and I still aren't very good, but we had fun playing anyhow.

We had a lot of fun from playing in the rain, jumping waves, making pie-iron pizzas, taking Maddie for walks, and even drying the 4 slides on the playground with our fanny's. Yup that's right, I didn't have a big towel, so I used the next biggest thing....my rear. What was I supposed to do? I did what any good aunt would do...I went down all of the slides in my shorts to dry them off. Cole and Kendall coined the phrase "Shake your fanny," as I was attempting to get the extra water off of my shorts. They are too darn cute.

We had such a good time camping, I think we may make this a family tradition and try to get out camping again next year....we shall see. Take a look at some of Maddie's pictures. She really did have a goo time!

Getting Ready for Camping

Well, it is almost done...packing for tent camping with a 5 month old. I never realized how much stuff a baby needs. We do have an SUV, but it is packed to the max, and Carmen has yet to put his gear in. Maddie has a bag for her toys, a bag for her clothes, one for her bathing necessities, and of course one for her food. She also has a bag for the beach, a cabana, so she doesn't catch any rays, (not to mention the 3 tubes of Baby Aveeno sun block), her exersaucer, and of course some of her favorite stuffed animals....do you think I forgot anything? Oh yes, all of her blankets, and her pack-n-play (which is actually in Grandma's camper). I think that is all we need for a few days. We are not bringing the bathtub, as a good ol' bath in a dish pan never hurt anyone.

We are going with my parents, my siblings, and a few family friends will be popping in and out along the way. I sure hope we have good weather. What do you do with an infant when it rains and you are in the wilderness???? Let's not let our minds wander there.

I cannot wait to get down to the site, be all set up, and crack open a cold one with the family. Although, I am sure that is not how it is going to work out....this will be the real scenario.
• Carmen arrives and we begin setting up the tent.
• The poles to the tent are not fitting right and there is a bit of negative energy flying around the site. (*Use your imagination here)
• Maddie needs to be fed.
• The tent is up, but it is on a hill.
• Maddie needs to be changed.
• Here comes the "R" word that everyone hates when camping....
• Maddie wants some Mommy time.
• Carmen has to finish setting up.
• Maddie needs to catch some ZZZZZZZZs.
• We forgot how to put up the Pack-N-Play....

Yadda, Yadda, Yadda.... Don't get me wrong, I am more than excited to go, I am just keeping an open mind and know that I can be in for just about anything with our luck. Well, wish me luck (lots of it), and pray for some good weather along the way. I of course will post pictures when we return.