Camping Extravaganza 2008

Last weekend we went camping! We only do it once a year now that we have McKinley so we have to make sure that we load up everything that we own that could possibly be associated with camping, throw it in the Xterra and hope that we have enough room for people to also attend the occasion. This time was no different. The car was full to the top with camp chairs, air mattresses, blankets, sleeping bags, David even fashioned a little oven in the back where we put our dutch oven enchiladas,(our traditional camping cuizine.)
We were invited on this camp out by JJ and Valeena. It was such a fun time. Valeena's family was visiting and they had gone up to the campground earlier in the day so that by the time we got there, alot of things were already set up and we only had to worry about our own tent.
As incident commander, I ordered David to set up our tent and prepare our bedding. David always lets me be the one in charge and it makes me feel important, although, I would be sleeping under the stars if I had to set up the tent.
After everything was set up, we ate dinner. Enchiladas and the best hamburgers I have ever had. (JJ eats hamburgers with a hotdog cut up on it, and it's actually surprizingly good. He calls it a Woody burger.) We didn't forget the s'mores either.
Last year, when we went camping, we brought a story book to read to McKinley, because I always remember reading stories when we went camping. This time we also brought a book, and it was such a hit with Jesse that I think he would have stayed up all night reading it. He was so cute and he made me want to have a little boy of my own.(Until then, thanks for letting us borrow your boys JJ and Valeena!)
In the morning, before breakfast, we went on a walk with McKinley in the stroller. There is a trail close to the campground called the Virgin River Rim Trail, which is like 32 miles long that leads to who knows where. We just hiked around for a while on it and it was a really beautiful trail. There are gorgeous views of Navajo Lake and the whole trail is shaded by pine trees and aspen. It started to rain a little bit while we were walking but we were covered enough by trees that we didn't get wet. We just got to enjoy the clean mountain rain smell.
We had to leave early to get back for a wedding but the rest of the crew went fishing and stuck around for some more fun.
This was the best of two camping trips we have taken with McKinley because she slept this time! Once she fell asleep, she slept the whole night. We never heard a peep from her. She also really loved playing with Jesse and Elijah. We had so much fun! Thanks for letting us come JJ and Valeena(and family.)




These two boys are soo cute!!! Elijah and Jesse in their camping chairs.





Mckinley was crying for a little bit because she got hit in the head with a pebble. Just one of several camping casualties.