My family would go camping when I was a kid. But camping for us always included a motor home or trailer. I didn't sleep in a tent until I was in my mid 20's. We weren't campers, didn't "rough it" well. Then Jason came along, and he loves to camp and backpack. Right after we started dating one of his friends wives wanted to go camp for a night and then go wine tasting. I was sold on wine tasting! :-) I did have hesitation as this was my first time to ever sleep in a tent. We did it, I survived, I didn't love it and Jason said we wouldn't do it again.
Almost 2 years later I went camping again for my dear husband and now 1 year old son who like all other boys loves to be outside and dirty. We had a huge tent, lots of supplies, and I was willing to try it again. It was not great and I am sure everyone who was there was convinced that I would not camp again and we only stayed 2 miserable nights. In Brayden's photobook I have pictures of us camping and a caption that says "your first (and last) time camping". We have friends that helped us prepare, and Jason bought a port a potty because I require a toilet of some sort. (Still haven't ever done that in the forest!) I didn't like the chaos of tent camping with everything everywhere and unorganized. I even supported other friends that didn't want to go camping with little ones.
BUT I want to like camping, I really do. I told Jason I will not consider camping again until I am off the ground. So a year later, I went camping Labor Day weekend and we even stayed 3 nights! He got me off the ground. We are proud owners of a pop-up trailer. Jason drove to Albuquerque 2 weeks before we went camping to purchase and pick up Uncle Doug & Aunt Chris' pop -up. (talk about cutting it close) It makes such a huge difference having the pop-up. The bathroom, shower thing I am working with, but this trip was better. I got cheered for by a group of ladies I was talking with when I said "dirt don't hurt". I am growing, I have "chilled out" a lot, and I'm starting to get into this camping thing a little. I still don't love it, but I love my boys. I realized I need to change my mind set. Camping is a lot prep, not relaxing for the mom, and a bummer to clean. But I love "living" outside, the weather, campfires and the company (all 57 of us this year!). We are even planning to go again sometime this fall. That is what I call growth!! :-)
As for the big kid Jason and the 2 little ones, they had a great time. Brayden wore himself out and played until he couldn't play anymore. Hadley did great. She is such a mellow girl anyway. We had a few struggles with naps, but when all else failed I put on the moby wrap and she was soon asleep.
Our Home away from home!
He was so tired one afternoon he wanted to go inside and "play stickers" and rest a little while.
Bundled little Bunny
Uncle Davis is B's play tent
Our family compound included 7 Adults, 2.5 kids, 3 tents, the pop up and all our supplies
Cooking in the rain
One dirty little boy
Brayden was sooooo excited to go fishing for the first time. They were gone a lot longer than I thought they would be. And he fell in 5 minutes after he got there, so he fished in his shirt and diaper, awesome!
LOVE this picture!
We worked hard to keep her warm
The traffic going home!
