We went camping up at our favorite campground-- the Spruces-- over the 4th of July weekend with Brad's family. I love it because it is close enough to home that if we forgot something, or someone gets sick, etc. we can be back in less than an hour. It is also close to a lot of trails and has great fishing. Win-win for us all!
We were the first ones to arrive and I was nervous how setting up camp would go with our little guys, but they both fell asleep as we pulled in and slept for an hour while we unloaded, set up the tent, and everyone else showed up. It made things so much easier.
The first night was a little rough-- we had a thunder and lightening storm roll through for about 2 hours in the middle of the night. Being in a tent in a lightning storm is not ideal (according to Google) but it was raining SO hard that everything would have been soaked if we tried to walk up the pathway to the trailer (where Brad's parents were dry, warm, and comfy...) Luckily it finally stopped, and we all fell back asleep around 4 am. That put a damper on Brad's 6 am hike with his brother, but we decided to do a family hike instead so it all worked out in the end.
Grammy & Owen ready to hike to Twin Lake
We stopped for a picture by Silver Lake before we head up the mountain
Oh Owen, he was being so silly on the hike. Probably because it was the first time he's ever been given the freedom to walk unassisted for a long period of time (no stroller, hand holding, etc.)
View of Silver Lake from above. It was a beautiful day!
Uncle Spencer & Owen taking a little break
Love the red cheeks. Owen did great on the hike-- he needed a little "pick me up" towards the end (literally, Brad had to pick him up and carry him down the mountain, with Porter in the backpack) but 3 miles is a lot for a little guy!
Twin Lakes-- we made it!
The rest of the weekend was spent fishing (for the guys), playing games (for the gals), eating yummy food (s'mores & woofums), dodging dinnertime thunderstorms, and LOTS of walks/scooter rides/baseball games/rock throwing for Owen.
Owen & Papa trying to catch Owen's first fish
Owen was interested for about 5 minutes, then he wanted to throw rocks. Oh well. They will keep trying!
This not-so-little visitor gave us a heart attack! He ended up coming by a few more times, and I was nervous every time. Too close for comfort!
Owen & his "Bruce" face. (Shark from Finding Nemo).
Brad & Owen playing some baseball
Porter, Anneda, & Spencer hanging out in the trailer.
Owen still doesn't understand the dangers of campfire, so this is how we had to sit with him most of the time. He loved campfire time because he knew that meant it was marshmallow time. I think he ate 6 one night.
Anneda, Chris, & Angie
My boys!
After we got home, Owen kept asking when we could go back to the "mountains". I told him after Mommy & Daddy get a trailer! It is a lot harder to tent camp with two little ones. But we survived and I would do it again... I think. :)
