We Made It Home Alive

In case you were worried, we all survived our camping trip. Several children have bumps and bruises and Evan had a tangle with some barbed wire, so I guess we would call it a very successful camping trip! I feel like so much fun happened over the weekend I will need to make it into several blog posts over several days. The total number of people that were there the whole weekend was - seven adults and 24 children. For a time on Sunday there were ten adults and 31 children (not counting the two en utero). Why the discrepancy? Two of the moms are pregnant and A)suffering morning sickness or B) has a broken foot. The third mom just doesn't enjoy camping with several really young 'uns. We were so glad they could all join us for a time on Saturday though.

The weather was very nice and the only time it rained was on Saturday night while we were tucked snuggly in bed. I just LOVE to listen to the rain drops on the camper roof. It brings back fond memories of childhood. For those that don't know, when we camp the girls sleep in a pop-up trailer that is 37 years old. It is the same trailer that I camped in with my family while growing up. It comes with a lifetime of fond memories.

Mom & Dad, this next picture is for you. I wanted you to see how well you taught me to pack the camper. Please admire the efficiency :)To everyone else, you can marvel at the lovely orange upholstery in our 1971 Bethany camper. Linda, this should look VERY familiar to Terry!

We camped at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. It was very nice and little did we know, it is a bird haven. I saw so many cool birds I could hardly contain myself (actually, that isn't to unusual for me, but usually it's not over birds). Anyway, here is a rundown of the birds I could recognize - many Baltimore Orioles, many Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, many Rose-breasted Grosbeak (I had to look that one up), one Indigo Bunting and we heard, but did not see several owls (perhaps of the Great Horned variety). Now how cool is that?

Okay, now for some pictures of our weekend. Here we are going camping (don't be fooled by the unsmiling faces, they are just tired of mom always taking pictures for the blog. Marcus is indeed in the car, he is just hidden behind Evan.
Let's contrast that picture with the coming home from camping picture. Gee, do you think they are a little tired?  This time Marcus is hidden because he has fallen asleep and is hunched over.

Most of our days were spent playing games like capture the flag and scatter thanks to Yoshi, our weekend activities coordinator. Notice all the little bodies compared to the bigger bodies :)

Some of the girls (and a stray boy) enjoying a morning cup of hot chocolate.
Some of the boys, carrying big sticks (which they did most of the weekend).