Camping Trip

We went camping last weekend with our buddies the Rowleys and the Ericksons (minus Mike). This was the first time we have gone camping as a family, and let me tell you, it was a lot of work! It was also fun, but the kind of fun that requires a week to recover from. I never realized how much work goes into camping, especially the preparation. I camped a lot as a kid, and I never realized how much work it was for my parents. So, thank you, Mom and Dad for taking us camping even though it was a lot of work. I've now realized that camping as a family is for the kids, not the parents. I'm sure it will get easier the older the kiddos get.

So the Rowleys took us to this awesome campground up about a half hour outside of Payson (Arizona). There was a lot to do there, which was great for the little ones. We got there on Thursday afternoon, with plenty of time to set up camp, play for a while, and eat dinner. Our new tent sleeps eight, and I really like it. It's nice to have all of that room and it will last our family forever. The kids slept well the first night. Here's what they looked like in the morning:
We spent a lot of time down at the rope swing they have there. The kids loved it. Peter even attempted the "grown-up" way and did a lovely barrel roll as he slipped off. Wish I had a video of it. I did get Eden though.

The kids got plenty dirty. They just wanted to play in the dirt all day, and after a day of getting after them for it, I finally gave up and let them go to town.

Levi, showing off his dirty hands.

On Friday we headed a mile or so up the road to the fish hatchery. The kids liked feeding the fish and basically running around like wild animals.

We also spent some time at the creek. This was pretty awesome. The kids loved playing around in the creek, even though it was freezing!The men had a contest to see who could stand in the water the longest...

but the clear winner was Levi, who did not get out of the creek once the whole time we were there! He must not have nerves in his feet.And although all of the kids gave it a valiant effort, the dirtiest kid award clearly went to Mabel, especially after Grayson dumped a few handfuls of dirt right on her head.
Thanks, Rowleys and Ericksons! It was a lot of fun and we'll have to do it again, but not for a while!