An apple a day . . .: 4th of July Camping

We went camping again! It was a great time! The weather was fantastic--with a touch of too much hot!!! We went to our favorite campground--courtesy of Sean, Carol, Marina and Dakota (Marina brought a school friend--Emily, with her this time). Joining us was a new crew--Candy and Steve and Brad and Polly. We told Sean that pretty soon we will just host a family reunion at the property (owned by Sean's Dad and Mom) while we are camping.

This was the first time that I went down camping the first night. We left Thursday night and got to the property a little before dusk. We set up camp and were quite happy having pretty much nothing to do but relax while we would be there! I do think that Casper started eating dirt the first night and kept it up the whole trip. Oh, and if anyone reading this is thinking that they hate sleeping in a tent--all I have to say is "buy a cot!" They make sleeping quite easy and comfortable!--wait a sec, let me rephrase that, "have my/your dad buy a cot and then borrow it indefinitely!"

Now on to the food. . .

Keep in mind that we had SEVERAL phone calls with Sean and Carol earlier that week reminding them that they were NOT to bring hotdogs, as we still had almost a million left from the last camp out. I even went over the menu with Sean pretty carefully Wednesday evening. Anyway, to nobody's surprise, Sean brought hotdogs, but forgot some of the items he was supposed to bring!

Anyway, back to the trip. . . We got the tent set up and had a very enjoyable evening around the campfire sing songs, etc. (Carol, Steve, Candy, Brad and Polly wre not there that night.)
Saturday we got up and ate hot cereal for breakfast (Marina ate a hotdog). We all lazed around getting other items set up like the canopy, etc. Dakota and Mircea played wonderfully together! (Thanks Dakota!) Sometime around midday when it was at its hottest, and there was no breeze Sean decided he "had" to go into town to get an item. The 2 girls went with him. Several hours later--still no Sean. We then began to figure that maybe when he said he had to go into town, he decided to go clear back to Auburn to do his shopping. Anyway, he in his infinite wisdom came back with a peace offering of ice cream sandwiches. We found out they had gone to Walmart and since there was air conditioning, they stayed at Walmart for the several hours. (We couldn't do that Saturday or Sunday as by that time we stank WAY too much!) Well, thanks for the ice cream sandwiches--they hit the spot!

That afternoon/evening everyone else came except Carol (she arrived around 10 or 11pm). They set up tents, and we began to make dinner. This years new dinner was pizza! We used pita bread, tomatoe sauce, cheese, pepperoni, ham, some veggies, etc. Just place the pita bread on the grill, add the toppings, and let them melt. It was quite delicious! We will do it again next year as well--and probably bring sauerkraut for sauerkraut pizza! slurp!! YUM!

Saturday morning Sean made the breakfast burritoes. They were quite delicous--even though he forgot the salsa--it probably didn't fit in his cooler after he packed all his hotdogs! thbbbbt! snicker. Anyway, he got the recipe from his brother Aaron and his wife Dani. We are going to let him make them again next time too!

Saturday was a full day of playing games, and doing nothing. The kids swam and boated, etc. Casper made sure to sit anywhere that was not on the blanket set out for him. He enjoyed himself as well. Mircea and Dakota robbed several banks, and kept busy. Did I mention that Mircea is potty training herself, so she would let us know that she was going up the hill to go potty, and then would go up by herself to the potty bench and take care of it. She did an excellent job! What a big girl.

Dinner that night was grilled corn on the cob, baked potatoes, sloppy joes and cheese, sour cream, bacon bits and other toppings. It was delish! Then several of us headed out for a drive to find some firework shows. First we followed Sean for a while, and then Bryan led us to a park to watch. By that time both Cea and Casper were sleeping. The fireworks were great! We then went back to the property, sat around the fire, ate marshmallows, and off to bed.

Sunday was pancakes and a lot of bacon. Thanks for making the pancakes Sean (even though you didn't have any Pam spray--again probably left out of packing to make room for the hotdogs!) We then had a Bible study around the fire and then a sing. Slowly we packed up camp, leaving time for more hotdogs, and other things. Mid afternoon Candy, Steve, Brad and Polly left after we took a group photo. The rest of us were still leisurely packing. When it was finally time for us to head out, the keys got locked in Carols van, and once again, they were reminded why they are friends with us, as Bry was able to cleverly figure out a way to break into the van. You're Welcome! :)

We had planned to stop at Dairy Queen on the way back home, but the kids fell asleep in the car. We were all glad to get home and take a shower! --speaking of which, the following are the pictures--they are NOT scratch-n-sniff pics! Please remember we had no running water and it was hot!--so don't lean to closely to the pics unless your allergies are acting up and you can't smell anything. . . . . . . . . . .

You have been warned!!!!!!

The kids got a bath before we left. . . Mircea got out of the tub and. . .
ran around the house in her pink cowboy boots
Then she played the piano while singing heartily
And so the camp trip begins! snicker!

Mircea, Casper and a large tent worm

WATCH OUT, CEA!

Smack, Slurp, Gulp

Time for dessert!
Needless to say, no one could sleep through all this commotion,
so the whole camp was awake! grin!

Casper with his clothes on Friday morning

The way he was pretty much the rest of the trip

Dakota and Mircea were playmates this trip

You were great, Dakota!

While Sean and the girls were just making a "quick run to the store"
Mircea and Dakota colored among many other things

Aaaaaah, Ice Cream Sandwiches!!!
Feel free to make as many trips to the store as you wish, Sean!
Thank you!

Trying to keep cool!

Pizza over a fire!

Yum! Emily and Marina

Bry took a spit bath in front of everyone Friday night
Everyone liked the pink wash cloth
Those of us in sharing the tent with him were especially grateful!