We are getting better and better at this camping thing. We went again this weekend. Dry wood...check! Sleeping on flat ground.....check! Free campsite....check! Campsite all to ourselves....check! Perfect weather...check! Air mattresses....double check! We took our nephews with us this time which provided additional company for our girls. That gave Dan and I more sit down time by the fire. When we arrived, it was time to set up camp. Dan and I are able to set up everything, including the tent, without needing to say much to each other. I consider that a success because we know what each other is doing and things are done efficiently. After things were set up the kids explored the surroundings. We camped at Malabar Farm and had all 15 campsites to ourselves. So the kids had plenty of room to run and play an awesome game of hide and seek. As night set in we did the traditional "s'mores" for snack. The boys figured out that sticking sticks in the fire and pulling them out after they were hot would make a trail of smoke as they ran through the campground. I think at one point all the kids had a smoke parade. It was all fun and games until a hot coal ended up on my seat and my bottom. Ouch! Our girls definitely needed some ground rules for handling hot sticks.
At bedtime, Dan and I found a couple stories on our phones to read to the kids. Guess we should remember a story book for our next trip. The kids went to bed beautifully and Dan and I enjoyed sitting by the fire and watching the last log burn. Chloe camped out on Dan's lap and fell asleep on him. It was precious to see her snuggled up on his chest. We had a few hours of relaxed conversation talking about the past and remembering what God has done in our lives. We snuggled up and went to bed with Chloe and all slept until 6:30 the next morning. While we packed everything up, the kids ate their bananas and granola bars and played one more game of hide and go seek. I just love creating memories!
