Home from Camping...

We came home from camping yesterday... but, I was so tired!

We had such a wonderful time. You know, just hanging out with each other and getting dirty and eating around the campfire... Oh, sleeping on the ground was worth it... just to be with all of my favorite people!

After we arrived at the campground, we set up camp... which is a pretty big job even when you don't have ten people... eight of them kids.

Now that the older girls are getting big, though, it relieves Mark and I of some of the work.

Miranda put up one of the tents almost by herself. Dad helped a little at the end. Cadi helped set up all of the Pallets and make comfy looking "beds". Chey was helping unload what seemed like a never ending supply of "stuff" that you just must have to survive... right? Aubrey and Sydnee were in charge of taking the little ones for a series of walks that basically kept them from being under foot while we set up camp.

And then...

we walked the 10 steps from out tents to the river...

BEAUTIFUL!

There were little steps carved into the earth that led to a "pool". This was perfect for the little ones to "swim". They could have stayed there forever! Infact, Brysen tried.

The following picture is my favorite!!!

I love to get those shots where Mark is totally full of joy! We don't see him relax often enough. What a blessing to see him fully relax and enjoy the moment...

My son has been very fascinated with pushups lately... why... I don't know...

Why do boys do half the crazy things that they do???

This was his attempt at pushups in the water.

He does this everywhere... we can be walking through a crowded store and he will drop and try a pushup... Maybe he's planning on being the next fitness guru.

From the moment we arrived, Raider decided it was his job to "patrol" our campsite. He was such a good boy. He made several other "camping friends". He didn't like it at all when one of us walked away from the site. He wanted to make sure everyone was in their spot... whatever spot he thought we should be in , that is...

This was a really hot day... and then the sun went down. Soon the hoodies and long pants were coming out and the kids were getting cozy around the fire. The guitar came out and we sang worship songs and did our devotion. We filled that campground with some beautiful words.

What would camping be without smores?

In case you're not familiar with the look Mark is giving me... it is saying... why are you taking my picture when I have a huge smore shoved in my mouth?!

So I heard his message...

and...

...took a closeup! Haha...

Now, lets talk about sleep or the lack thereof...

It was COLD!!!!!!

Brrrrrr.......

I did not plan for it to be quite that cold and forgot a couple of things. I made sure all of my babies would be warm, though... but, that meant I was really cold and didn't sleep more than an hour and a half. Then next morning we got up and started a fire at 5:30 because we were freezing!! We were sitting around the fire with hoodies on and several layers of clothing wrapped in blankets. I will remember this next time.

Then, finally, the sun came out and started to warm things up. The kids started wandering around, playing, enjoying...

Then, the jackets came off and it started getting really, really warm...

...walks were taken...

chatting was done...

and it was time to come home...

take a shower...

and get some SLEEP!

Oh Yeah...