First Family Camping Trip

This past weekend we took the boys camping for the first time. Not only was it the first time with the boys, but for Nick and I to go together as well. Neither of us are big camping people, so it is just something we have not chosen to do together. We like the outdoors, just not sleeping outside. The boys got flashlights and sleeping bags for Christmas this year from their uncle Gary, so Kenan had been asking to go. This past weekend happened to be Gary and Kenan's birthday weekend and Gary was going camping with his girlfriend, Tina, so we decided to tag along.

We ended up having a great time. I would have preferred going for the first time when I was not 33 weeks pregnant, but I did my best. We were just going to stay Saturday night, but when there was the threat of bad weather we decided to stay Friday night instead. When the weather ended up staying nice, we decided to stay Saturday as well because we were having a good time (and I was not looking forward to packing up all of the stuff you have to bring to camp). Going camping one night is almost not worth the time and effort. Gary and Tina have a camper, but they used to use a big three room tent that they let us use. This worked out great for our first time because there was plenty of space and since we were at the campsites with electricity we even had a fan in the tent. It rained just briefly, but both times we were still in the tent or camper. Also, we were right across from the shower house and restrooms which made it nice for this pregnant girl.

We did a variety of things such as going to the nature center, playing on the playground, riding scooters, and going on an edible plant hike. But the boys favorite activity had to be playing in the sand on the beach and swimming in the lake. They loved this. I joined in a bit because I was hot, but Nick just watched us. On Saturday night Nick's parents came up for dinner and Tina made jambalaya over the fire. It was really good.

One thing I am extremely grateful for is that our boys like to sleep. The sun came up around 5:30 and although it woke Nick and I up, we had no problem falling back asleep. Now most kids would have gotten up as well, but luckily our boys slept until almost 8 the first day and and even later the second. Not that we needed to sleep that long, but it gave us time to get up ourselves and get ready for the day.

I would have to say the experience was a success because Nick even said he wouldn't mind making this a birthday tradition for Gary and Kenan (and Nick is even less of a camper than I am).