Camping Lessons Learned

Oh I had so many lessons learned that are already fading from my memory as we go from tents back to house. But it was a great trip. I guess the ones I remember are the important ones (or the ones I forget are the ones we need to learn over again :)

What worked well:
-Hobo pie makers were really fun!
-keeping cold weather stuff packed on top of the car so we had it in case we needed it but not in the way.
-quick oats were great for breakfast. I didn't package individual- we just put a lot in a old cashew container (those worked great for lots of packing.)
-freezing water bottles worked great for cold water and keeping cooler cold.
-2 tents for sleeping.
-Having a good plan for the trip- we could have changed parts of it but it was much easier to do most research before we left so we were just deciding what to do at each place instead of where to go/ what to stay.
-Having the kids be big part of set up / tear down. It makes them part of the team, gives them something good to do, and once they learn it really helps all go better!
-$1 solar lights worked well for lights around campground/ to use to go to bathroom.
-Audio books are great!

What we need to improve on:
-Less is better (next big trip we really need to think through what we actually need and only take that- less butter, less toys, less stuff in the camping box
-Walmart bags worked better than trash bags- you can't leave out a big bag anyway- walmart bag is big enough for most meals and we could take that to the dump. next time just pack a couple trash bags.
-water shoes would have been very good to have.
-we had a pretty good packing list but ended up taking lots of extra things/ just in case. It really adds up fast with 8 people. Next time pack everything the day before so no last minute add ins (it would help to not have such a busy day before leaving!)
-Pack the National Parks Passport!! we got stamps and we can add to the book but Pack the Passport!
-we probably could have stayed with people on another couple nights if we'd planned early. Don't be scared to ask.

Meal ideas
Breakfast- burrito, eggs and bacon, pancakes, bagels, oatmeal

Lunch- wraps, sandwiches, taco salad

Dinner- walking taco, hotdog, brats, white clam pasta, foil packets, hobo pie, kababs

Snacks- fruit, granola, chips, nuts, trail mix

Desserts- hobo pies, s'mores

I'm sure I'll think of more but what a great trip!! can't wait to go again!

Trip Number Two and PQ 1-3

We were so excited to be able to spend some good family time with James after his graduation. We've been really blessed over the last couple years to be able to have a lot of family time but it's especially good when it's more than a weekend at a time. We really enjoyed both of our trips during his leave. First was exciting amusement park and big city. Then last week we spent in the great outdoors. 

We signed up for Park Quest again this year and wanted to camp out and do a few Park Quests to start the summer. We had so much fun at James Island last year that we decided to go back. We were too early for crabbing but we still had a great time. I'm learning how to use photos from James' phone.  well, I'm learning and I'm tired so these pics aren't in order. :)

Not part of our trip but she's just so cute :)

And again :) we like her big brother too!

out for a walk sporting our tie dye shirts 

This was actually PQ #2- Assateague Island

The touch tank at Assateague was neat- especially the horseshoe crab

We did go inside a little- the nature center is full of nature books, games, crafts, and animals

Practicing our boating skills

Park Quest #3- crabbing at James Island. It was too windy to canoe

How'd this pic get here? C made his own bike trailer

Nice to have big brothers to cuddle you!

PQ #2 Assateague Island- hiking, geocaching, and old timey games

We got to see the snapping turtle have a 3 course dinner

This was so cute- T was showing KG a turtle. 

Our 2nd night dinner- chicken quesadillas 

The observation tower

Park Quest #1 for 2013: Canoeing at Pocomoke River State Park K^3

Pre-canoeing fun at Pocomoke River

Burpees Day One

Our new camping dessert: camping brownies received mixed reviews- the second night we went with old standby s'mores (with Reeses) 

This view brought us back a second year!

Love Assateague Island- beach fun and ponies too!

and kite flying! what a day!

And baby's beach tent didn't blow away!


We had a terrific camping trip! Looking forward to the next great adventure!

Camping

We had such a great time on our camping trips this spring (other than KG screaming all night long.) We decided we would go camping once a month. Well right after we decided to camp once a month James left for Army work for the summer- most of it in Fort Lewis, WA. I do lots of things with the kids by myself but camping isn't one! During our crazy weather week last week (earthquake followed by hurricane) one of the boys suggested camping in the basement. But the weather was so nice so we decided to camp in the back yard.

We got into the camping mood with a trip to Seneca State Park for Park Quest #10- we're invited to the Park Quest Finale now! We played some rainy disc golf- which was a blast! Played in the park for a little while and then headed over to Larriland Farms for apple picking. We picked 80 lbs of apples- Gala, Smokehouse, and Honey Crisp. I think the boys' favorite part was climbing up the ladder to pick the Smokehouse apples or maybe picking from on Daddy's shoulder.

Zipline was the favorite and we had 3 super sharers!

He loves monkey bars- we should get some in the basement!

one of our apple pickers up high!

When we got home we set up tent. By we, I mean James and the kids while I tried to find somewhere in the kitchen to put 80 lbs of apples, a peck of peaches, and the other assortment of fruits and veggies from the farm. We grilled hotdogs for dinner and then the real fun began: campfire songs, stories, s'mores, singing apples, and sparklers. KG was sure she was ready for sleeping in the tent this time. She set up her blankies and pillows, practiced napping, and after a few games of Uno, she was ready to stay up all night. So KG and I went inside. The worn-out boys went right to sleep and James and I got to sit by the fire with a yummy drink picking out recipes for all our apples!

Daddy's set-up helpers

learning to build a fire

The next morning the kids enjoyed some camping cereal (any junk food cereal.) This time they had Captain Crunch- because we were making the Blue Moon Cafe's (from DDD) special: Captain Crunch French Toast . It was super yummy- if i do say so myself. The fun didn't stop there- after breakfast, we went to our terrific church and then to Bay Day United. The church picnic was great- good food, beautiful weather and spot, fun people, lots of bouncies for the kids, great worship music... All the kids fell asleep in the car on the way home. We woke them up for a yummy dinner of popcorn, peanuts, and peaches, a family movie night- Torchlighter's William Tyndale- and then to bed.  Praise God for a terrific weekend!

Camping Fun

We went on our second MD camping trip last weekend. We're excited to be a ParkquestTeam- we've completed two quests so far. A pirate/ nature compass course at Elk Neck State Park and letter box hike at Fair Hill NEA. We even braved rainy weather for the Fair Hill hike- I'm loving all the time outdoors (although this week was pretty rainy so we didn't get out as much.) We still went on a walk every day and we only got in the car to go to church. We're definitely enjoying our city living. So much you can walk to!

a muskrat we think- I'm going to start adding to our nature blog We've been watching and reading about tons of birds, squirrels, flowers, ...
the view from way up top of the lighthouse (31 feet)- the boys and I climbed up. The pic shows KG and James by the bay.

Marshmallow roasting was a big hit. We can't wait to go camping again.

Pics Finally

I've been doing a little bit of posting and a very little bit of picture posting. But we have been taking pictures- here are a few. This morning we went to the Farmer's market about a mile from our house. After the farmer's market, we stopped a local church's community festival for hotdogs, bouncing, and face painting. Here are my two little warriors (K was busy bouncing & KG wanted to hang out with Mommy while she's recovering from her ear infections.)

KG still wanted in the pic even if she didn't get her face painted. She's quite the talked now. Yesterday James was dressed up in a sportscoat and tie for work and when she saw him, all on her own, she said "Daddy you're handsome."

This is the sign at the entrance to our neighborhood. Guilford Gateway Park- the big boys have been enjoying playing baseball there with James sometimes after dinner. KG & T and I go explore the park- we haven't let the big boys in on the secret that Cold Stone Creamery is walking distance from our house.

This video belongs with the camping pics but it's already here.

and more

we had a great time down in Florida. I now have 3 little cowboys and a little cowgirl after getting to see the rodeo. They loved watched the bull-riding and calf-roping. At the playground, C said he wouldn't "barrel ride bc that's for cowgirls." K was so excited to get to ride in the parade with Papa- a great surprise for all of us. Nana and the rest of us were watching the parade and saw Firetruck #3 with K & Papa go by. How fun! We also got to see Nana's friend's 25 chickens- the boys picked up a dozen eggs which they dyed for Easter. We also got to see & pet sweet baby goats. The one in the picture is about the same size as our little girl. Then enjoyed our first mulberries out at Becky's and watched hummingbirds. A great trip!

We left Tuesday to drive back north. We saw some of the damage to Fayetteville from the tornado but also got to see and hear some of the good stories of families and churches helping each other. It was great to get to spend some time with really good friends from NC before heading back to MD. We got home and had good weather so we decided on a last minute camping trip. We are so excited to have great camping and hiking places so close. We went to Patapsco State Park- just about 20 minutes from our house- and had a great trip. Thursday we went to the tire park, hiked to the swinging bridge & Union Dam, set up camp, had a rodeo at the playground, and enjoyed yummy dinner including hot chocolate & camping cherry pie. All fun- except the sleeping- KG and T weren't sure they were happy about sleeping in a tent. Friday we hiked to the water fall and then headed home to have a warm lunch.