Ward Campout

Last month our ward sponsored a camp-out.  When I told our neighbor we were packing up to go, she asked incredulously, "you're taking Thane and Graham camping!?"

And to be honest, that was the first moment I'd even considered the possibility of not going.  I had just filed the information in my brain as a "ward activity" and proceeded accordingly.  I often tell Mark, "when our youngest is 3+, we will be a camping family."  In the meantime, it's just a whole lot of work.

We were one of the first families to arrive at the campsite next to the White River.  It was a lovely location.  There was a semi-permanent tent set up on the site, and Mark was eager to stay inside to avoid the hassle of setting up our own tent for just one night.  I was leery of the idea, and when he rolled up one of the window panels and a spider the size of ping pong ball jumped down on his foot, the deal was sealed - no way, no how!

While Mark and I tried to get the tent set up, the kids immediately got into mischief a nearby ash pile.

thankfully this "black eye" was resolved with a little soap and water

Once friends started to arrive, the fun began in earnest.  Aubree disappeared and spent her time on the fringes of an older crowd (mostly 10-12 year olds).  

 Bryce discovered nearby blackberry bushes, grabbed a leftover pizza box as a holder, and picked as many berries as he could.  He then proceeded to "sell" them (for free) to all the other campers.  

Though it was a late night for our kids, they were still the first to be tucked into their beds.  Mark and I weren't far behind.  As predicted, they were all up with the sun misty rain.

 Hanging out with friends picked up in the morning just where it left off the night before.  

The ward provided an excellent breakfast and Thane was especially enthralled with the orange juice (the ability to get as much as he liked, whenever he liked, more specifically).

 

Mark (with his side-kick Thane) spent the morning cleaning up our camp site.  Which reminds me... camping for just one night is craziness!  Graham and I made the rounds chatting with ward members.

 And more often than not, he ended up in someone else's arms.

Graham with our great Bishop

I'm glad we went.  The kids came home filthy and exhausted, which is sure evidence of time well spent.  (right?)