last summer shindig

We planned one last camping trip for the end of summer. This trip we had
planned to meet up with my Dad and Brandi and camp for 2 nights.

This is Kate's camping attire....hmmm.

I guess you don't have to sacrifice style and fashion just because
you are going out into the wilderness.

Well, the truth is, it wasn't really much of a wilderness...except
for the rattlesnakes and bull snakes you might come across.

2 little monkeys jumpin' on the bed....

So, we went to Wanapum State Park campground over by Vantage, WA.
Originally we planned on going to Perrygin Lake in WA, but I was trying
to be frugal on the gas budget and asked if we could go somewhere closer
to our house. None of us knew how WINDY this place would be.
We managed to get the tents set up and start on dinner and the longer we were
there, the windier it got. Pots were flying off the table.
No wonder there were so many houses on wheels at this place.

Anyway, after dinner we decided that we had had enough of that,
and we packed up and came back to our house.
the end

The Wallowa Falls Campground

After arriving home late from Spokane, we got up the next morning to get ready
for our first camping trip this summer. Our friends, the Madder's invited us
to come with them to Wallowa Lake in Oregon.

We usually go camping at least once a year and I have to admit I have not always
been "in love" with the whole camping thing, although I usually enjoy it once I
am there. Lately though, I have been thinking about it and I have decided that
I am going to have a better attitude about camping. I know the kids love it, and Justin
definitely loves it, so in a nutshell...I need to suck it up. I have decided that I don't
want to miss out on making memories with my little family just because I don't
want the hassle and the little bit of extra work and effort that goes into a camping trip.

Alaina had a great time. I could tell that she loved all the freedom the outdoors
has to offer.

Katelyn loves camping too

We were in charge of dinner the first night. A concoction of potatoes & sausage
and corn on the cob. Not exactly gourmet, but it worked.

Nathan & Jodee

We really enjoyed the campgrounds. I counted a total of 11 sites and all of
them had a creek or "crick" (if you're a WA native) running through them.
The creek made it a little hard to hear one another, but it was still quite pretty.

The Madder's got to bring this fun tent trailer and the kids had
a great time playing with each other in it.

Alaina

My sweet little girls

Alaina & Shavon (I should have taken a picture of Kate with Shavon,
she adores her). Shavon brought a friend, also named Katelyn, and they
were so sweet to let little Kate tag along with them just about the entire time.

group photo during a little walk to explore

I enjoyed watching the little kids (and big kids-see below-) find
entertainment in anything they came across. How fun to be a kid!

"Hey, what's this?" "I dunno, wanna climb this rock wall?" "OK!"
"ew! Is that a spider?" "Yep." "OK. Forget that!"

Later we went to the lake and played on the beach

It's just so much fun to watch the kids play, and play, and play,and...

beautiful scenery

we forgot the swim diapers and Alaina had bit of an accident

all the kids were busy creating wonderful sand sculptures

I just love baby bums

love this man!

Now it's back home and back to the daily grind.
We had a great time and wish we could have stayed longer.