June 8-12 was our annual family camping trip. Usually we go with Joey and Gayle but their schedules have been so crazy that we just had to plan the trip and go. It was sad to not have them but we were also excited about spending some good quality time with just the kids. The Saturday before we spent doing laundry and grocery shopping and just some camping preparations. Then On Monday we did all the packing of suitcases and the car. We wanted to leave by 9am. We realized on Sunday night that that was too lofty of a goal and chose to leave by 11am.
At noon, when we were still packing, I got a little discouraged that we would never leave!! But we pulled out by 12:30 and were at camp by 1. We decided to camp close this year and spend more time enjoying camp and less time in the car. We went to Del Valle in Livermore. It was a very nice drive and a beautiful camp ground. We got the second shadiest spot at the whole camp ground.
[You can see all the shade, the bathrooms and, to the right, the edge of the grassy field.]
But we were closer to the bathrooms. If you ever get a chance to camp there, campsites 20 and 21 are the only way to go. The campsites all circle around a big grassy area. It was the perfect set up.
After years of camping we learned one very important rule….no matter what time we leave, the kids are always starving the moment we get to camp and we’ve never had anything ready for them to eat. Well this year was different. We made a picnic lunch that was easy to grab and as soon as someone complained of being hungry, I broke out with the lunch. It made set up go so much better and everyone was happy.
[Jaime was actually a HUGE help in setting up the tents this year.]
The weather was great. Everyone told us how hot it would be and how buggy it would be and to go prepared. Well the weather was unusually cold for this time of year and (I think because of the cold) there were no bugs. No mosquitoes, no flies, no bees and no ants. It was GLORIOUS!! We did have some pretty bold birds, but we handled them pretty good with a spray bottle of water. The first day was set up. It takes a while to get set up and we give the kids a chance to explore the camp area.
[Afton LOVED the tent]
After an early dinner we took a walk around the area we were staying in, took a drive around the whole camping area and the lake and then did a little fishing.
[Scott, the master bbq’er]
Since everyone got up so early Scott stayed and did more fishing while I took the kids back and put them to bed. That was super easy. They were all so tired they asked to go to bed. After fishing we did some marshmallow roasting with Jaime and Alix and then we all went to bed.
[The last couple of years Scott has given the kids lessons on how to use an axe properly. We’ll still working on it…..]
Poor Keri had an awful first night. It was WAY colder than I had prepared for but I did bring one warm outfit for Keri. I decided to use it at night. It had a hood on it so I put the hood on her. She was up ALL night long but I was afraid of her getting too cold so I didn’t take the hood off. By morning we were both exhausted! We had some neighbors and I said ‘Sorry the baby was so loud last night, I hope she didn’t keep you up.’ To which she replied ‘I was just glad it wasn’t mine!’ So Keri kept most of the campers awake I’m sure!
[We had some GREAT climbing trees right in our campsite. The kids, especially Alix, were in heaven!]
What fun! I’m so glad you are back to blogging. Can’t wait to read part 2.