Camping!!!

I have been wanting to go camping all summer! That is the one summer activity I can't do without. But moving to Boise we didn't really know where to go and I really don't like to go camping by myself. I like camping when it is a social affair. So we were thrilled to learn that our friends/former neighbors/previous owner of Max, liked to go camping too. We set the date for this past weekend and I have been excited ever since.

Now I can't say we didn't have some reservations. So we decided to only go one night, stay the day, and come home after dinner Saturday night. Looking back we probably should have headed home in the afternoon but now we know (pack up camp before nap time!).

 (NOTE: I am going to give a detailed explanation of the camping trip, mostly because this blog also double as our family journal. If you don't wish to read it all just skip to the pictures, I won't be offended)

We arrive Friday evening around 7:30. We had to wait for Aaron to get off work and the drive the 1 1/2 hour drive. We set up camp and sent the men off to gather wood for the fire and started up some hot dogs and s'mores. 

James gathering sticks

We attempted to eat some food but it was so late James was informing me it was time to go to bed! I thought I was going to be the one dragging him to bed but instead my delicious hot dog had to wait because James was telling me to take him to bed and you don't fight a 2 year old on that one. 

Glow stick necklaces are the best thing EVER when you have a 2 year old the won't sit still in the dark! 

Lucky for us James went right to bed, Madie however was the night owl and was so intrigued with the fire she fought sleep like crazy. But eventually she couldn't hold out any longer and zonked out on us. I am proud to say both kids slept though the night and didn't even wake up till 7! That is impressive when camping. Unfortunately our friends l year old threw up on the drive up the mountain and continued through the night so although the kids slept through it all (thank goodness) the adults weren't as lucky. 

Saturday morning the kids woke up happy as could be, and excited to be camping. 

 James slept in his tent inside the tent! Maybe that was why he was so excited to got to bed? It worked perfect though. We didn't have to worry about him rolling off around and he had he own 'room' in the tent!

 We forgot the lighter fluid to start the braquets so Aaron improved and used a little WD-40. It certainly got things going and breakfast came much sooner. 

 Madie was pretty happy to hang out in Riley's little chair. 

James decided I was taking way to long to cook breakfast so he snuck into the cooler and grabbed a marshmellow that we promised him the night before but he went to sleep before we got to the s'mores part. 

James decided to share with Kaden. 

 We finally got breakfast finished and the boys were thrilled to have bacon!

After a long morning of failed naps, we finally decided to head down to the the river and hot springs. Yes natural hot springs. It was awesome. It was a 1/4 hike and we went from camping in pines to a sandy beach, an amazing rock face or waterfalls and the natural hot spring pools. It was perfect for the kids and  the adults. The hot springs were amazing. I really wish I could have gotten a picture of it, but you had to walk in the river and there was no way I was taking the camera through it. Just imagine a natural pool of water with a waterfall over the rocks edge that is more amazing than the best hot shower ever. Overlooking the river and mountain view ( Happy dreams)

James loved the sand, water and rocks. 

 He spent a lot of time throwing rocks into the river

 James yelling 'I did it'. Yes he did this every time he threw a rock:)

 Madie loved the sand as well, but mostly for eating. We had to cover the sand with towels to keep her from eating sand like ice cream.

 There were rocks built up around the shore to catch the warm water it made a perfect kiddie pool.

Aaron and James had a great time building up the rocks to make the pools deeper. 

 Aaron putting his dam building skills to good use. 

Like father, like son

 After a long day of playing we were ready to head home!

Note: If you like happy endings or stories with no puking STOP READING

I wish that I could say that we went back to camp packed up, and headed home and had the perfect weekend. Unfortunately, it ended with James have a melt down because he hadn't slept all day. I got dehydrated and a bit of heat exhaustion. By the time we were actually packed up and I was worthless. On the drive home the kids were asleep in the first 2 minutes. I spent the drive throwing up. James then woke up and was crying because he was tired and disoriented. I moved to the back seat started throwing up again Aaron started to make me laugh which is the worse idea EVER. In between everything, I would turn to James and tell him everything was okay because he was very concerned about mom. I won't lie it is one of those time you look back and laugh at the hilarity of all. Oh wait I was doing that while it was happening. Lets just say by the time we pulled in the house we were very glad to be home. And I think it is ok if we don't go camping, at least for a while.