Camping as a Family of Five

The "morning after" the second night of partial sleep. Notice the grime all around Claire's face. It looks like a beard.

Our first camping trip is done... and it was (relatively) successful. Overall we had a fantastic time with a huge group of friends in the gorgeous mountains. What could be better? Warmth could have been better... and sleep. But it was all worth it. Poor little Sammy froze his buns off the first night. Matt put him inside his sleeping bag so they literally slept nose to nose the entire night, but neither of them could really get comfortable or sleep. 

The next night the rest of the campsite was glad to help bring the noise level from our tent down and generously donated their extra warm gear to us. We bundled every child in two layers of jammies, inside one or two sleeping bags, with at least two quilts on top, and a beanie. The second night, August woke up cold, and proceeded to wake up Sam. He was in no mood to be awake and was doing that mad yelling cry instead of a weepy cry. Matt tried the usual techniques a parent tries when they are desperate for sleep and want to get the baby to be quiet... he held him and rocked him and tried to calm him down. Very quickly, the tune changed. Matt was saying "NO! This is unacceptable. Be quiet!" It was hilarious... he wasn't mean to him at all, but it was a different Matty than I'm used to seeing. If you're wondering where I was during all of this, Sam is entirely obsessed with Matt and he is the only one that can really calm him down. So, unfortunately, he kind of has to be first responder. Poor guy... he handled it well.

Claire and her trout.

We visited the reservoir and Claire caught the first fish - a little trout. Claire also became the patron saint of animals during the trip, and took it upon herself to shepherd every single dog and creature that joined our party. 

My sweet girl at the reservoir. After we got back to camp she still refused to take off her life jacket, although we were  entirely landlocked. Kids...

Claire with PBR, her favorite dog there.

This is the first really big outing we have tackled since the twins' birth, and it was worth every bit of effort, every tantum, and every spec of grime and dirt. We absolutely loved being with all of our friends... so many we have known for the majority of our lives. Can't wait until next year. In the meantime, we will be purchasing "Utah" camping equipment to replace our "California" camping equipment.

A clean child is a bored child.

Auggie found bliss in the hammock.

My happy, dirty little camper.

Ready to go home. Can you see the dirt crystals that have formed inside her nostrils?