2 Days of Camping

This year we decided to try a camping trip with Alex - I wanted to make it 2 days, because it's just not worth it to get all the tents and gear out for just one day and a night - and then come home and clean it all up. I have to say this trip was a SUCCESS!

Here are dad and Alex just after setting up camp, and he was pretty dirty already. There really was no keeping him clean (Alex).Alex found out really quickly that there were lots of squirrels, mice, chipmunks and fat potguts around our site, here is he watching out for them to come out of their holes but...
He quickly became the enforcer - not allowing them within the immediate vicinity. He would also yell "squirrel" (like in the movie UP - while chasing them down with his stick).
A shot of our dirty little guy

Colton found an old piece of cord and crafted a bow and arrow - everyone enjoyed playing with it, but there were a few injuries that came about due to this homemade weapon!
The campground was a really great place to take an evening walk, throw rocks in the nearby river, and just have some nice, quiet family time.
McKaleigh found this little lake that was hidden right behind out campsite!
On the first night we hiked down by the river and the kids decided to throw rocks and walk around in the COLD water - we sat on the rocks watching them, and McKaleigh got this shot (how precious)!

A bit later dad decided he was going to cross the little river, and was watching his feet so he did not fall in, but did not watch his head - and ended up gashing it on an overhanging rock. It bled for most of the first night -every once in awhile the kids would say something like..."dad, there is blood dripping down your head." Everyone was concerned, except dad, who managed to...
Still skip down the path with the kids!
Days before our trip Alex became very excited about the opportunity to make smores. He would tell everyone that we would be having them on our trip. I was very excited to use our new smore roasters that we got from Aunt Sheri and Uncle Dan for Xmas last year. They are great because they curve in - to minimize injuries!
After all that talk, Alex would only eat a marshmallow and cookie - separately. He decided smores were not all they were cracked up to be, but daddy sure enjoyed his!
We planned to break up the second day by going hiking up to Donut Falls on Saturday. It was an easy, beautiful hike and all of the kids were able to make it to the falls, but up the falls was another matter - maybe when they are older! You can see the falls going up the canyon in the background.
It was hard enough getting across the river!
But we made it far enough for a great family picture.
Hiking back down the hill. And then much to daddy's dismay, we stopped at 7-11 on our way back to camp to get Slurpees for everyone! The benefit of "city camping" as daddy calls it!
Dad always brings his paintball gun when we go camping and the kids really enjoy shooting empty bottles, cups, and this time...McKaleigh!
Everyone got a turn shootingThen McKaleigh wanted to know what it would feel like to be shot with a paint ball. So dad said he would show her. She held up her target...her butt, but dad was a little bit off...
And got the back of her leg instead! A small war wound - but she was a trooper and shed only a few tears!

Its the little family outings that we all remember, and this was a great one. We spent a few dollars and created memories, and laughter that everyone will remember. We are so lucky to have a family that is so close and can enjoy any amount of time spent together!